Social Anxiety Support

macg · 10-02-2009, 12:35 PM

Initially posted this in the wrong area! Reposting...

It took me months to work up the courage to make an appointment with a therapist. I had my first session today and now I feel more anxiety. No questions about my personal history, family, or relationships. He referred me to group therapy that met on nights I had class. And he talked the ENTIRE time. He told me to become conscious of my breathing and something about a "Vegas" nerve. That's it. Is this normal??

I want to see a different person for therapy, but I feel embarrassed to ask for a different therapist. How do you change from one therapist to another??

odd_one_out · 10-02-2009, 12:50 PM

I think it's the vagus nerve. I have no idea why he would mention that, except maybe to describe/explain certain physical symptoms. The continous talking and not taking your history is not normal. It's good that you went through with an appointment, though, after being very anxious about having one.

In the past, I have left therapy as follows: by writing that I had decided to leave and listing my reasons using bullet points; by stating outright that I wished to leave, but refusing to discuss the reasons (it wasn't worth it); One time, I just never made another appointment; another time, the therapist was bad and it finally got to me, so I told him I was not returning; another time, a therapist kept persuading me to make appointments so he could get me to commit to group therapy, but I simply kept refusing.

I think they are used to it. None of them made a fuss. They usually say you can contact them again if you change your mind.

arth67 · 10-02-2009, 02:15 PM

we are already too conscious of our breathing and bodies but it does help to breathe deep and slow for relaxation
that nerve controls blushing and sweaing
it can help to secretly tape recore the session as remembering it all can be difficult

John_in_SF · 10-07-2009, 07:36 PM

<heehee> Why do you think these people become therapists in the first place?!

But seriously . . . aren't you already tired of telling your family history to yourself? Don't you need to feel better NOW? That could be why your therapist was focused on your present physical state. Could it be that you were too worked up to even make the next step? I know that's been true for myself many times.

Always remember, your relationship with your therapist is BUSINESS . . . you need something; she or he gives it. If it doesn't work for you, politely say "no thanks" and move on.

10-02-2009, 12:35 PM	#1 (permalink)
macg Status: SAS Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: California Gender: Female Age: 34 Posts: 20	You call THAT a therapy session?? Initially posted this in the wrong area! Reposting... It took me months to work up the courage to make an appointment with a therapist. I had my first session today and now I feel more anxiety. No questions about my personal history, family, or relationships. He referred me to group therapy that met on nights I had class. And he talked the ENTIRE time. He told me to become conscious of my breathing and something about a "Vegas" nerve. That's it. Is this normal?? I want to see a different person for therapy, but I feel embarrassed to ask for a different therapist. How do you change from one therapist to another??

10-02-2009, 02:15 PM	#3 (permalink)
arth67 Status: SAS Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: austral;ia Gender: Male Posts: 217	we are already too conscious of our breathing and bodies but it does help to breathe deep and slow for relaxation that nerve controls blushing and sweaing it can help to secretly tape recore the session as remembering it all can be difficult __________________ life is not a dress rehursal

10-02-2009, 12:50 PM	#2 (permalink)
odd_one_out Status: Active-but-odd Join Date: Aug 2006 Age: 32 Posts: 1,215	I think it's the vagus nerve. I have no idea why he would mention that, except maybe to describe/explain certain physical symptoms. The continous talking and not taking your history is not normal. It's good that you went through with an appointment, though, after being very anxious about having one. In the past, I have left therapy as follows: by writing that I had decided to leave and listing my reasons using bullet points; by stating outright that I wished to leave, but refusing to discuss the reasons (it wasn't worth it); One time, I just never made another appointment; another time, the therapist was bad and it finally got to me, so I told him I was not returning; another time, a therapist kept persuading me to make appointments so he could get me to commit to group therapy, but I simply kept refusing. I think they are used to it. None of them made a fuss. They usually say you can contact them again if you change your mind.

10-07-2009, 07:36 PM	#4 (permalink)
John_in_SF Status: Good grief Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: San Francisco, California Gender: Male Posts: 261	<heehee> Why do you think these people become therapists in the first place?! But seriously . . . aren't you already tired of telling your family history to yourself? Don't you need to feel better NOW? That could be why your therapist was focused on your present physical state. Could it be that you were too worked up to even make the next step? I know that's been true for myself many times. Always remember, your relationship with your therapist is BUSINESS . . . you need something; she or he gives it. If it doesn't work for you, politely say "no thanks" and move on.