I started therapy about 4 weeks ago and have had 4 sessions. I know that isn't a lot, but I feel like I've been failing at my mission to get better. I have OCD and I'm trying to get it under control, but every time I get into a situation in which I have the urge to do or say something, I give in. Is my therapist going to see that I'm not benefiting from therapy or think I'm not trying hard enough and turn me away? Is it normal to feel this way when you are just starting? Or should I be experiencing some improvement by now? I have this awful feeling that I'm hopeless.
2006-11-12 14:41:05 · 6 answers · asked by kid_at_heart 3 in Health ➔ Mental Health
If your therapist is good, he/she will keep working with you and work even harder because of the setbacks. Don't feel bad or hopeless because the 4 sessions haven't worked. I have bipolar disorder type I and OCD. My therapist recommended that I wear a rubber band around my wrist and everytime I get the urge to do one of my "rituals," pop the rubber band. This sends a pain signal to the brain, which helps to block the obsessive thinking. Don't worry. OCD is very hard to overcome and may never go away completely, but with the right medications and therapy, it can be tolerable. Good luck to you and hang in there. Don't give up. Hope this helps!
2006-11-12 14:54:02 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Look at it this way. It took a long time to get to the point you are at when you decided to get counseling. It takes a while to learn how to think-feel-act differently. Our thoughts effect our feelings and that effects our behavior. 4 weeks is not very long. I think you should be really honest with the therapist about this...a good therapist is not going to just give up on you in a month. Change take awhile. There will be improvements and steps backwards. Just keep trying and working towards the changes you really want to make. It is not hopeless although sometimes it feels that way.
Making the decision to get help is in itself a huge step in the right direction. Give yourself credit for that and try to be gentle on yourself.
2006-11-12 23:38:34 · answer #2 · answered by Jess 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, your therapist will not turn you away,and you won't necessarily see some improvement by now. You are not hopeless. It took longer than 4 weeks for you to acquire OCD, and it will take longer than 4 weeks to get rid of it.
You have some sort of chemical imbalance or an imbalance of electrical impulses to the brain. It often takes a combination of medication and therapy.
I suggest you ask your primary care physician to refer you to a psychiatrist who has experience with OCD patients. It takes some "shopping" and some detective work to find the right one.
Good luck!
2006-11-12 22:59:34 · answer #3 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The first poster is correct, however shrinks arent only for people that have deep seeded issues. The therapist is there and willing to counsel anyone and everyone, as long as you have the cashflow to pay.
I am not a Dr., and I dont know what "OCD" is but you were saying something about how you still just say things when you feel like it, regardless of your therapy. Well if it is nasty comments, then that is just anger baby. When a person, or an entire country for that matter is down and depressed, it can only respond with a hostile attitude. But when it raises back up, it is polite, and healthy once more.
If you find yourself saying nasty comments to people simply because you cant hold back, then you obviously need some sort of vent for your frustration. For men, there are sports to help vent the frustration. Women arent really into sports as much as men, however, you can still express yourself at the gym or something like that.
You need to find a consistent vent for your frustration whether it is rough sex, phsical fitness, or what have you.
2006-11-12 22:57:37 · answer #4 · answered by Sir 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Firstly you should NOT be attending therapy sessions.... psychology/psychiatry is really only there for people with deep-seeded problems, but because of how society is today everyone is taking drugs or seeking therapy. You are only going to become more confused as time goes on with a therapist and I'll tell you why. You've already told yourself you will and, remember this....a therapist is there to make money, that is all. Academic suggestions will not help you because you are not the doctor, they know this, thusly they also know that because of your weaknesses you'll keep coming back more and more and more. If you want help email me now. good luck.
2006-11-12 22:45:27 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
You are setting an impossible time frame on yourself. Getting help is a process. It is hard work and takes time.
2006-11-12 23:08:57 · answer #6 · answered by mary texas 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋