Buttons,

I empathize with you feeling alone without your therapist for 2 - 3 weeks. I feel the same way. I am going to miss him terribly (well, I think so, it's complicated). I think I'll end up spending a bit more time on the forums here. To have some kind of meaningful connection. If you want to chat over the holidays, feel free.

Hi, Buttons,

I'm so sorry you feel so badly...

I can relate to many of the feelings you describe, but I have the big chance that for me, these feelings are only occasional now, in the meantime, I'm quite fine. The way of living - for others, doing what they want from you - has been typical for me, too. But it seems I'm overcoming this in my therapy. (But now my bigger problem is that I can't find out what would I relly like to do myself...)

You're somehow right that your therapist is "there for you" only during your sessions, but... on the other hand, he's always "somewhere" and he always cares for you, not only when you're together. You can believe that. He would be "a robot" if he could stop carring when you leave his office ! I know how hard it can be to have a break in therapy, mostly when you don't have supportive relatives aroud you ... But you'll see, these sad weeks will be gone quite soon and you'll meet him again. You can post here more then usualy, it really can be helpful, people here are very supportive... Moreover, maybe the 3 weeks will not be as bad as you suppose. Maybe the clue is to realize that it depends on you, too, and to find out what could make you feel better, what could distract you. You mentioned your problem with eating. So... what about searching for some interesting recipies and cooking some new meals just "for fun" or "for distraction" and at the same time for a motivation to eat? What about reading books? Can't you escape from your life into ficion for a while? I don't say that this all will "make you happy", I'm not so naive. But I'm proposing an alternative to a passive and desperate waiting for the next session in January. Nobody can guarantee you won't have bad days during the holidays/the 3 weeks, but... I'm sure you can have some good ones if you'll allow yourself to have them .

How are you today?

Best wishes,

L.

Thanks Athena, I think I will be on the forum more during the holidays.

LaLa3, you message cheered me up a lot this morning. You're right, my therapist doesn't just stop caring as soon as the session is over. He always cares, and that is very comforting to me.

I think we may be in a similar situation. I've gotten so used to just doing what everyone wants me to do, that now that my therapist is helping me focus on myself, I don't even know what I truely want. I don't even know myself! We were discussing this actually...he says it's a good sign if I don't know what I want. It means I'm starting to discover "me" and I'm recognizing how much influence people have over me and my decisions in life.

I am taking time off from work during the holidays so i will take your suggestions and try to pass the time by doing things I like. I like the cooking idea. I do like to cook and i do need to make sure i'm eating more.

Today I'm feeling better. I am relishing in my good mood actually...I'll take what I can get. But I had a fantastic week of therapy....two really productive sessions...so I think I'll be ok until January 4th.

Thanks again to you both.

Hi Buttons,

I'm happy for you that you feel so great. I had that feeling after many of my therapy sessions to the point where I almost thought I was "cured". It is so wonderful.

Thanks, Buttons, I feel also cheered up by your post - it's so nice to write something that somebody I care for see as helpful .

he says it's a good sign if I don't know what I want. It means I'm starting to discover "me" and I'm recognizing how much influence people have over me and my decisions in life.

That sounds very optimistic - thanks!!

Athena: I had that feeling after many of my therapy sessions to the point where I almost thought I was "cured"

Oh, yes, I know this, too... It's weird that the feelings always disappear after some days, but it's anyway great that they even come/are there sometimes!!!

Have a nice day, both of you

L.