Do you know where we can discuss our pte issues and seek advice?

Overwhelmed by therapy and want to quit - please advice/encouragement?

• Only had a couple sessions.. the therapist is really good, I just don't think I can handle it or don't seem to be communicating what's bothering me. I don't want to inconvenience her by discussing what's really been troubling me, because it doesn't seem relevant to the reasons I am seeing her (mood swings). She wants to discuss mood swing episodes which are so disturbing, I just want to forget. She asks why I did certain things, and I don't really know or want to think about that. Whatever I eventually come up with as a response which is a struggle, she seems to have very insightful comments, yet overly simplistic solutions. Her solutions are things my husband or any outsider would say, and usually things I already know, but in real life, situations are to complex to just apply "why don't you just leave the room when that happens" or "try to get 8 hrs of sleep each night so you feel less overwhelmed". I feel uncomfortable and angry thinking about the issues we discuss because they are very private and/or very disturbing to me. I feel defensive like its none of her business even though obviously I'm there to disucss those things. During the initial meeting, my husband made a comment about my abnormal/obsessive eating habits. I like the way I eat and do not wish to discuss this with the therapist (or take pills to change me). She keeps pressing this issue and trying to convince me of an eating disorder. The psychiatrist at the office lied/majorly downplayed the side effects of a drug she thought I should take even though I have a health condition which causes many of the same issues (fatigue, weight gain, poor concentration,etc). It effects my job and my marriage a great deal, and I think she doesn't care if her drugs will make that worse as long as they make me not care about my life falling apart! My research on pubmed showed significant and very frequent side effects even though she says they shouldn't be a problem. The side effects of psychotropic drugs are NOT worth it to me (they may be worth it to the doctor who doesnt actually have to experience it!). I have seen some improvements by getting my thyroid medication better regulated, and taking fish oil and B vitamins, more exercise. The doctor even admitted the drugs may cause permanent brain damage. I'm only 26 years old! The drug may not even work and I could be left with permanent impairments!! Who's the crazy one here?! Any advice? I came to this psychiatric center after my primary care doctor referred me and was concerned my mood swings were not simply thyroid/hormone issues. It seemed like a good idea at first and I was open to therapy and even medication. Now I'm just frustrated and confused and feel like once again no one is listening to my concerns - they just want to medicate/subdue and control me, not cure me.

• Answer:

  You stated that you didn't want to inconvenience your therapist by talking about things that are irrelevant. Everything is relevant, especially what's been troubling you. Your experiences and emotions play a huge part in your symptoms (mood swings). Be open and honest with your therapist. Let her know exactly what you want and need from her. You two need to reevaluate your goals in therapy and how you think she can best help you reach them. There seems to be a pattern where you have needs but aren't voicing them. Therapy is a great place to work on that. It's difficult to help a client who isn't expressing what she needs. Your mood swings may also be symptomatic of a tendency to suppress and inhibit your expressions.