Ending therapy maybe?

[Fin]

I've been in therapy for a little over a year now. I like my therapist, we have a connection. When I look back, there is some improvement but overall I'm not sure its helping a whole lot. I understand that change takes time and all that but when and how do I know when I should end it? I'm going to talk to my GP if its an option to start antidepressant because I'm not sure if therapy alone is enough. I dont know what my best option is and as I don't have many people to talk to so I thought I give this a try. 

[Croix]

Dear Fin~

One of the most important things you said was that you had a good relationship with you therapist. I've found this to be more important than any particular therapy. I've not been happy with all therapists (or therapies) I've had over the years.

You mentioned you had nobody to talk this over wiht, I would think that bringing up the subject of medication wiht both your therapist and GP would be very appropriate, each may have their own views, or they may feel the same.

It's quite legitimate to explain the reasons you are thinking in this direction, apart from anything else it might lead to a review and change of method in the therapy.

Medication comes in lots of varieties and different people react in differing ways. It took me a very long time to find a combination that did the job, and at the same time did not have side effects that  were hard to live with. It's not just a decision "I will take meds" but more like "I will keep trying meds until one fits"

Do you think it might be worthwhile to keep on with therapy and see what meds do before stopping? I realise this may not be practical if it is too expensive. It may be your therapy is a stabilizing influence and is actually doing good.

In my own case I still see my therapist, it is a sort of cornerstone, and take meds permanently as well. The combination means I now lead a pretty good life with manageable symptoms, and have satisfaction, enjoyment, and the ability to love and support my family.

If you would like ot come back and talk this over you would be very welcome

Croix

[Fin]

Hi,

Thank you for your reaction. I know I should bring this up with at least my therapist but it’s hard. I don’t really know what holding me back. I don’t know, I’ve really been struggling and it doesn’t seem like anyone notices or realises how hard it to just show up. 

I’m not saying I could drop the therapy but yeah maybe I need something else, different kind of therapy but that feels like letting my therapist down, I know there trained for this and so but don’t know… many question little answers 

[Croix]

Dear Fin~

A therapist may have training, but that does mean they automatically have the right approach, there  are many therapies they could choose from. If you do not work in concert with your therapist to find the right one it's not that surprising the initial choice may not be exactly right.

So yes, it is difficult to say how you are feelng and thinking , however without your reactions to steer by you may not get what you need. It is not letting your therapist down to contribute to the  treatment, it is working together -which is a pretty good thing.

Before now I have written down my difficulties in point form and handed it over, this is quite a good way of getting a doctor or therapist to understand what you are going though, in fact they always seem pleased as it is complete (I try not to leave out the bits I would if I was face to face) and they have a list to work form

What do you think, possible?

Croix

[Fin]

Hey, 

Yeah, I have use email to let my therapist know things, I'm sure i wouldnt bring up face to face. I have one in my drafts about ending therapy or indeed maybe changing the approach, i just keep editing it until one day I'll send it. 

I  would like to see some more improvement so that I know that the money I'm investing in myself is worth it in a way, I will send them a message about my doubts, the medication, the fact that I might want to leave because it scares me how well they know me by now  and go from there I guess. 

Thank you  

[Fin]

So I send them the message, how I'm unsure of what to do with the therapy and explaining a little bit what my thoughts are behind it, then mentioned the idea of medication. The reply I received was  that it is my choice, that their are a couple of options, that I take a few weeks and see how it feels. That I can show up in therapy and take it slow, that I can show up and share the hard, though, inner turmoil, that I can end the therapy and come back if I need to or try someone else. Wasn't really the reply I hoped for but then again, don't really know what I expected her to answer. Still don't know what to do now. 

[Croix]

Dear Fin~

A good move to hand over that letter, and the result was pretty reasonable, obviosly the therapist is not too set in their ways and is prepared to be flexible. I take it that no mention was made of any form of medication?

I guess that still leaves you a way to go before you decide. Perhaps if you talk with your GP - or hand them a copy of the letter, they ma have a view on therapy level and medication and a suggestion what they think might work better than what you are doing now.

Whatever you decide might take a bit of time to get used to it.  Even just changing meds, which I did a lot at the start, was very time consuming before one could decide if it was good or not.

I think its pretty wise of you to review and asses how you have been going, rahter than just continuing out of habit, and any decision you make does not need to be instant, you can keep on with  the psych for a while until you have all the information you need.

I hope your GP is the helpful sort

Croix