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Psycho-analysis?

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Posted 9/1/2010 5:27 PM (GMT 0)
I had my first appointment with a highly achieved psychologist today to help me with my anxiety issues.  We talked for about an hour where she asked me a bunch of questions and she mentioned that in my next visit she is going give me a psychoanalysis to help determine where the majority of my anxiety lies (which I am pretty sure I already know) and how to better manage it.  I know nothing about psychiatry and this is my first time ever with a doctor of this nature so I don't know what to expect.  If you have ever had this, did it help you determine where you have the most issues? Do you feel having therapy has helped you with your troubles? Does therapy help you avoid medications?

My primary gave me Klonopin to help with my anxiety attacks a few days ago and I already took a half of one and I noticed a huge difference on how I viewed things, but I don't want to rely on medications to help me cope. And my primary agreed and she referred me to this p-doc for evaluation.

I guess what I really want to know is what is your experience with dealing with p-docs or therapists?

Posted 9/1/2010 10:55 PM (GMT 0)
Sherry,


Hello and I am happy to read that you have found someone to help you.
Most analysts in the past were psychiatrists, but many analysts today are also psychologists. Only those who have graduated from a psychoanalytic training institute and who have completed a training analysis are qualified to conduct “psychoanalysis.” Most psychologists, however, don’t fit this description.

I have a psychiatrist that I have been seeing for 5 years now and she orders my medication and recommends treatment which included my going to a psychologist who is a therapist and does not get into analysis as mentioned above. My treatment plan is an interactive process between myself and my psychotherapist.

My therapist's job is not to be my friend but to work with me to help me understand my unconscious motivation. We have a therapeutic relationship. This is the 4th therapist I have seen in the past 28 years and I really like her the best by far.

I originally was seeing her once a week and then every two weeks to once a month and now we are at an " as needed" basis.

We have dealt with many issues I have carried around with me for years and I am learning to let go of the bad feelings and stop beating myself up. We have worked very hard on the "what if ?" thinking that I get stuck in and also breaking out of the mold that I think others want me to be in which I have resented for years.

She challenges my thinking and has taught me some great come backs when someone makes inappropriate remarks to me. [img]/community/emoticons/turn.gif[/img] Most of all I have learned how to stay in the moment or to just let out the anxiety and then move on through it.

I hope this helps you and do stick with us.

Gentle Hugs,

Kitt
Posted 9/2/2010 12:06 AM (GMT 0)
Hi and welcome! I am all about singing the praises of cognitive behavioral therapy (everyone is probably sick of me talking about it) but it really worked for me. I was at the point of wanting/needing meds, but ended up not needing them after working at CBT. Don't get me wrong, I am not against using meds if they are needed. Everyone is different and has to make that personal choice for themselves, but it is a good idea to try therapy! It may take some time, so be patient. Let us know how it is going:)
Scaredy Cat
Posted 9/2/2010 12:10 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Scaredy and Kitt for the replies.

Kitt, she is accredited and has been trained for psychoanalysis so I have faith in her abilities. She told me her credentials and qualifications when I met her yesterday and she seems pretty impressive. What I like is her non-judgemental attitude but she seems warm and easy to talk to. I have a prior experience with a therapist that my daughter talked to about her issues and I did not like her at all because for one, she kept preaching religion at my daughter. I have nothing against religion but I don't feel that it is the therapists job to initiate the conversation in that manner. But to give this therapist credit, she did help my daughter and I to have a more open relationship when it comes to talking about our problems. (I wasn't seeing the therapist, my daughter was btw).

I know I have some past issues that need to be addressed, mainly neglect issues so I'm hoping she can help me emotionally deal with my past. But I am also hoping she can help find better ways to cope with my daughter's shenanigans. She even told me that I was not the first parent to come in seeking therapy over their children's bad behavior! lol

So keep your fingers crossed for me that this can help me be a better and happier person. I feel if I can get control of this anxiety, that it will help tremendously with my gut. I have a strong mind/gut connection when it comes to my Ulcerative Colitis.
Posted 9/2/2010 1:08 PM (GMT 0)
Sherry,

I agree with you re the therapist your daughter saw, religion is not a part of therapy. 

I am glad you have faith in this new psychologist as building a trust relationship with this person makes all the difference in how well your therapy will help you.

 

Therapists with a Psychodynamic orientation understand emotional and behavioral disorders as a function of critical experiences a person has had early in life. Typically, therapists who view problems from this perspective will try to help you become aware of how experiences from the past continue to influence, and at times dictate, your thoughts, emotions and behaviors. My therapist has pulled this together with a mixture of CBT and it works well for me. 

I have so many issues that were cemented in my childhood and carried over into my adult years that therapy has been really good for me. I also had so many deaths to deal with that another one almost always triggers all the past losses.

I should have had a therapist when I was raising my 4 children as I did not do things as well as I should have and then I would get into the old guilt trap as I felt I should have done better.  I am learning to toss guilt into the wind now as I realize beating myself up over the past is a waste of my time.

I have my fingers and toes crossed for you.  Please keep us posted as to how you are doing and remember you can always vent right here.

Gentle Hugs,

Kitt

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