Posted by Tamar on December 6, 2005, at 7:09:13
In reply to Thanks Everyone / Update, posted by LittleGirlLost on December 5, 2005, at 20:36:19
Good luck with the move. I’ll be thinking about you today.
> On another note, I emailed my T a very similar version of my "Worrying" post. She agreed that everything will be an adjustment, but thinks we would do well to address the bathroom thing. I know she's right, so why can't I talk about this? It's just gross! A "gross" kind of gross. Does that make sense? I mean, abuse is gross and difficult to talk about, but somehow this is different...a different kind of gross... and I haven't figured out exactly what that difference is. It's just gross and embarrassing.
> (I hope that didn't come out wrong... I'm just trying to understand why talking about this is impossible for me.)I think what you’re saying makes a lot of sense. Maybe part of the reason it’s difficult to talk about is that it might feel a little ‘weird’. After all, you might reason, no one else has this problem, so you must be really crazy. Except that in fact lots of people have the same fear and none of those people (including you) are crazy. People can be afraid or grossed out by anything; it’s not crazy and it’s not shameful. But I can understand that it might feel that way because I can relate to it.
I’m desperately afraid of slugs. Specifically, I’m afraid they’re going to attack me. When I see a slug I’m afraid it will jump at me and bite me. I know this is completely illogical, and yet simply seeing a slug triggers intense anxiety and revulsion for me. I know people who have the same reaction to fish and moths and snakes that I have to slugs. Can’t be near them; can’t look at them; can’t think about them.
I haven’t dealt with the slug thing yet because it doesn’t interfere with my life as much as the other stuff I have to deal with. But my friend with the moth phobia dealt with hers and although the idea of dealing with it was terrifying, the end result is amazing. She barely notices moths now. They don’t bother her at all.
So keep your eyes on the prize. It will probably feel very difficult to talk about at first. But keep reminding yourself that your life will be immeasurably easier when you no longer feel this anxiety on a daily basis.
Hope it goes well.
Tamar
poster:Tamar
thread:585550
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20051206/msgs/586028.html