Mental blocks during sessions.

[Mal50]

As far back as I can remember, whenever I've seen a psychologist to talk about my life-long depression and traumas, I've gotten mental blocks and haven't had the first clue what to say. I want so very much to open up but I break into a sweat and the words just won't come out. I get so exasperated with myself, and after only a couple of visits I just give up. I think to myself that it's just a waste of my time and theirs. Is it because of repressed memories that I keep getting those damn mental blocks and hitting a brick wall?  😞

[Jo3]

Hi Mal

This is what I do as well.  I'm sure that repressed memories have a lot to do with it.  A suggestion would be to write things down in a book and bring the book into your session with your pysch. 

I did have the same issue where I would stop talking or just look elsewhere except the psych.  But now after 3 yrs of therapy I feel comfortable to be able to sit and talk about anything.  I think if you can also find a pysch that you feel comfortable with that will help.  It is difficult to start with to open up and discuss childhood issues because it hurts but if you find that and need to cry just let it out.  It's okay to cry because of all that repressed memory is holding you back.

I hope you can either go back to your pysch or find a new one and get the help you need.  Take care, hope to chat again

Jo

[White_Rose]

Dear Mal

I hope it's a comfort to know that many other people experience the same block when talking to doctors and psychs. I think it's the stress of the situation and of the pain we have been holding inside ourselves that wells up and chokes us.

As you become more relaxed with the psych you will be able to talk more freely. In the meantime I have a suggestion. Before you go to your next appointment, think about the topic(s) you want to talk about and write down the things you want to say.  Not a huge essay, possibly a few notes. But just write it down and if it gets huge that's fine.

When you arrive tell the psych you have written down some notes and would like to read them to him/her.  The first note should be to explain what you have written above, how nervous and overwhelmed you feel talking about these things. Any decent psych will understand and go with you.  If you still get uptight then give the notes to the psych to read.

This is not an unusual situation and he/she will be able to gently help you to relax and open up. Perhaps the psych may start asking you questions you can answer with yes or no. From there you can start expanding on the answers. Trying to get everything out at once is impossible for anyone. I know from own experience how often I go home and remember I wanted to talk about something and get cranky with myself. Unfortunately healing will take time so as much as possible, go with the flow.

So think ahead and write stuff down. Perhaps you can ask the psych if there is anything he/she wants to explore next time and then you can concentrate on that aspect in your next set of notes. Writing your thoughts and questions in your own time and in a place where you are more comfortable will help you get it out.

Perhaps you could imagine you are writing to the people on this forum. In your other posts you have said a lot about your experiences, largely I think because there is no face to face situation as there is with a psych. So tell us your story and give it to the psych to read.

I will be interested to know how this works.

Mary

[Newbie77]

Hi Mal, Are you comfortable with the therapist? If I was being honest the psych I went to when dealing with Post Natal Depression was hopeless and I feel much more comfortable talking to friends.   I think it would depend on the DR because it is there job to get things out of you.  I actually ended up at my GP on Saturday as I am back on an antidepressant now and within 30 mins he got more out of me than the psych did 3 years ago.   I hope you find someone good that you can talk to and if not don't hesitate to chat on here to people that are in a similar boat.

 X