As part of my IOP I have to have at least one family session. Meaning, I can choose which family member or members to bring but it will be me, them and my therapist. Its not during our group time. Big, huge, gigantic problem with this…….I don't talk to my family much at all about whats going on with me and when and if I do I feel so anxious and uncomfortable I feel sick. I stopped talking to them a long time ago about my emotional struggles and I never talk to them about cutting. Im so fucking nervous! I never had to do this the last two times I went through IOP. Must be something new. My therapist knows how anxious I am and said that if at any point I feel I need to leave the room just do it and the session will be over. She is also concerned that things may come up that may make me want to go home and cut so she wants me to try and be aware if Im starting to feel that way and we can change the subject. This meeting I guess is basically for my support team (therapists and psychiatrist) to see what kind of support I have at home, answer any questions my parents may have and possibly open some lines of communication between me and them. Its sad to say but I don't see that happening. I don't know how to talk to them and they don't understand. Its not their fault, they are good people and they try but I just don't see how I can ever talk to them about the things going on in my head, my emotional problems and the urges to cut. I just wish the time would hurry up and get here, this waiting is killing me.

Replies

sadiegirl13
sadiegirl13

I had to have a family meeting too, insurance required it before I could be discharged from the program - sounds like it\'s a new thing the insurance companies are doing.

I like how your therapist is working with and for you with this. It sounds like she really has your back. I wish you all the good wishes a luck in the world for this meeting. May it be uneventful, painless, and over quickly. ((hugs))
irishwriter
irishwriter

you can picture me in a karate suit ready to beat the crap out of anyone who messes with you (i\'m 5\' 4\" so not very big!). hopefully that will make you smile and ease the moment a little!. i hope the nightmare doesn\'t develop and stays manageable and is of only benefit to you. exercise your right to walk out if you need to! big hugs.
joneszy93
joneszy93

I hope that your family meeting goes as smoothly as possible. I\'m glad that your t has your back, hopefully that makes you feel a little at ease. If I we\'re having a meeting like this, I\'d be just as nervous, so you\'re definitely not alone. ((Hugs))
malibumark
malibumark

hold tight Pagan... it\'s a process of learning that you\'re going through.
the therapists and the psychiatrist are there to bridge the gap between you and your folks. They know how to do this. I know it\'s really anxious making - I hope from your IOP you can learn to deal with this anxiety - and also learn tools to learn how to talk to your family and maybe manage your expectations about the communications. Peace to you Pagan!
SensitiveHoboLady
SensitiveHoboLady

hugs pagan. I hope you and your therapist can make the family meeting the least stressful as possible. Maybe opening up a bit to them could be the start of a new breakthrough? I speak from experience when I mention that....it took my family a long time to comprehend that I had a mental illness but once I slooooowly opened up a bit they were more supportive than I thought. I hope everything goes well.