working with therapists

[Anuket]

I am having a difficult time remembering the way things factually happened when I am feeling "not right."  I am trying to use journaling to record events but even then I seem to have some kind of mental editor that will leave out important pieces.  When talking to someone else about a shared experience, my version of the story is extremely colored by emotions, deletes several crucial facts, makes incorrect assumptions.  

Does anyone else have a difficult time self-reporting symptoms of episodes when talking to a therapist?  

[rogelio63]

  I definitely can relate.  I am so reluctant to tell them all that's going on with me.  I did last session and he almost put me in the hospital.  But ya know, that's the only way they can help you.  And the thing that hinders most people from being totally honest is fear, fear of judgement, hospitalization or whatever.  I write things down to,,but I never take them in.  Why I don't know.  yes I do,,,fear.  But as my therapist keeps asking me,,have i ever judged you?  Have i ever said, Rodger, you're a terrible person, you[re a basket case,,,,never has.
If yours does, or if you even get that impression (that there is judgement or doubt of what you're telling them), you need to find a new therapist.
Or you could do something like I've done a couple of times,,,just start out and tell them something so personal that anything else you say has no chance of being shocking!!
Be Well,
Rogelio

[Anuket]

Not on medications, just taking omega-3.  Working with a psychologist presently, trying to find a psychiatrist i can work with.  Considering meds but not sold on it yet.

I will try using the journal as a reference, I have been doing that quite regularly for a while now.

Thanks!

[looloo141]

Yes me too!!! My partner says I have a brain like a computer but its a pretty dysfunctional one!! I remember everything, like you its coloured with feeling and emotion, it's so strong that I believe this is why I have verbal diarrhoea.

The thing with keeping a journal is being strict with it, if i miss a day I can't remember anything but events such as ironing LOL. If you can be strict with it, do it on the mood tracker on here and print it off before an appointment. The anxiety and stress of an appointment with a therapist or doctor can send you into a spin, trying to remember important things that you've been waiting to talk about is enough for anyone to forget, so just hand over the mood tracker and journal!! it works for me, kind of!

Sometimes its because we have so much stuff to remember, when you have kids they fill your mind with allsorts, there's bills to remember to pay etc!
Meds definitely slow me down, but Ilike it, I could never stop thinking and analysing so it helps me a lot, I can't always get my words out though and I am really clumsy!

[gofio]

I share your difficulties. Are you on medication?I put the blame for my failing memory on that, but it's probably an age related thing in my case. When feeling 'not right' it's hard to remember things in detail. I hope that you are able to cope with your condition by either ignoring it,or getting qualified medical help. Good luck
PS. just looked at your profile & it looks likely that meds are responsible, I ain't a Doc!