alright give it to me straight...

I made my first therapist appointment for tomorrow night - I want to talk with her about my anxiety issues as well as see if we can't get into some of the emotional eating stuff etc. Can anyone tell me what to expect as I am getting anxious thinking about going! I would love to be able to go off of my wellbutrin and am hoping that this helps.

Thanks all!

Good Luck. I have cancelled my appt twice. So I have no advice. I hope it goes well.

I've been in and out of therapy for most of my adult life. Nothing to be anxious about. He or she will get some history from you, childhood, parental relationships, siblings, traumas, ask you about current relationships, when anxiety started, what's working, what's not working, etc. It your therapist is good, it will be like talking with a friend.

Thanks Bonnie - that makes me feel better already! I have talked to her on the phone now three times (making appt, she had to change my appt and then she called to confirm) and she sounds very nice and down to earth. I know I am worrying about nothing but that's what I do! lol

Thanks for the re-assurance!

Good for you.
Your first appointment will probably be history, what's happening now, etc.
My daughter was in therapy for Anxiety and severe panic attacks a few years ago, it did wonders for her. Good luck

Hugs,
Ida

Thanks Ida - that's my issues, and I don't want to rely on the meds and I can't take the xanax since I am trying to get pregnant. That was my lifesaver before... I hate relying on the meds though!

Your welcome Liz. My daughter's attacks were getting so bad that she would call me from her job and I'd have to spend an hour or more on the phone with her talking her out of it while her hubby was on his way to pick her up and take her home. She got so bad that she couldn't go shopping or anything.

Gene and I worked with her to get her into therapy. She was determined she was not going. She did need to be put in xanax and was afraid to take that, thank God Gene was able to talk her through the changes she was feeling otherwise she'd have stopped taking that too soon. It would have been wonderful if Gene could have treated her he's a wonderful therapist, but you don't treat your family.

Therapy did her wonders. She's not panic attack and anxiety free, but now they only come on in a really stressful situation, not going shopping as they used to or going out of the house.

Her and her hubby are also starting to think of having children so she is at a cross roads where they are going to start weaning her from the meds and she might have to go back to therapy and now is very open to that possibility. She found a therapist she really bonded with after seeing a couple that she completely hated.

Good luck with this.

Hugs,
Ida

Just knowing someone is on your side or at least there to listen to you is a big relief in and of itself. I have battled major depression since adolesence and I also had panic attacks for years. Is she a behavior therapist or a cognitive therapist? Cognitive will be lots of talking. Behavior will teach you techniques to cope. This is JUST MY OPINION, but I found cognitive therapy more helpful. They try to get to the root of the problem AND give you coping skills whereas Behaviorists feel that the reason isn't important, just the results (and that's a very, elementary and general description from a non professional).

You don't need to be prepared.

In fact, I'd opine (5 dollar word, eh?) that trying to prepare yourself would be counter-productive.

Just go in there and answer every question honestly, no matter how uncomfortable it may make you feel.

Good luck!

THanks Norm - and as usual you are right. Control is another of my issues! lol

Honesty is my policy and I will do just that.

Thanks :)