Why am I Feeling Worse after Seeing a Depression Therapist?
While the start of therapy is typically a hopeful first step toward feeling better, most report that the initial impacts make their symptoms worse. If you feel this way, you are not alone, and it is important to understand the reasons behind those feelings. Knowing why depression at times might sometimes worsen with therapy will help sort out your emotions and perhaps find a way forward.
The Process of Opening Up
One of the most integral parts of therapy is opening up with your thoughts and feelings. This is not easy, especially if one has kept them locked away for a long time. Here are a few reasons why this initial phase may feel overwhelming.
As soon as you start speaking of your experiences and emotions, issues that haven’t been buried too well resurface. Such emotional unpacking brings sorrow, anxiety, or even anger into your emotions. You end up pondering over those painful memories or feelings that you may have tried to avoid for a while now. You will discuss these issues in the process of healing, but initially, it is going to feel like backward steps.
You will also have to confront some painful attitudes and thoughts that you have harbored for many years as you begin to explore your feelings. Examining such thoughts is painful because it can bring up deep feelings of doubt and inadequacy in yourself. The pain is part of the healing process, and it often makes the victim feel worse before starting to feel better.
Adjusting to New Expectations
Expectations about the process can also greatly influence feelings associated with your experience in therapy. Most begin treatment wanting to feel better and seeking symptom relief as soon as possible. Unless symptom relief occurs quite quickly, disappointment and frustration may result. Here is how expectations may influence feelings:
Unrealistic Expectations: Most of the time, people expect instant solutions from therapies. However, therapies, in actuality, take relatively longer to show any effect whatsoever. A realization that healing is actually a process will help adjust these expectations.
Pressure to Succeed: Sometimes, the need to get somewhere in therapy makes anxiety worse. You might even think you need to achieve certain milestones in a timely manner. This can place more stress on your life. Remember that therapy isn’t a race. It is fine if this takes more time than what you expected to sort out your emotions.
The Therapeutic Relationship
The relationship you have with depression therapists near me is critical to effective treatment. If you feel that your depression is worsening it’s worth looking at this relationship. A few things to consider include:
Therapeutic Alliance: The relationship between you and your therapist will facilitate the process. If you are not comfortable or felt understood, it may impact your opening up. You should feel safe sharing your thoughts and feelings. At any point in time, if you find that you are not relating to your therapist, be sure and discuss these feelings with him or her, and if necessary, explore the option of another therapist.
Therapeutic Approach: Not every therapist is alike and uses different techniques. If the approach that your therapist is taking does not resonate with you, it feels as though you are getting nowhere. Do not be scared to express these feelings. Sometimes, a different strategy can sometimes make all the difference in how you feel.
Practicing Self-Care and Support
As you explore your feelings on therapy, help yourself through self-care. Here are some strategies that can help you support yourself during this difficult time:
Focus on Self-Care: Engage in activities that help to keep you grounded. This may include exercise, meditation, reading, or spending time with friends. Taking care of your physical and emotional health can help buffer against feelings of worsening depression.
Seek Support from Others: If you find it hard to, at least share your feelings with trustworthy friends or family members. A support structure will bring comfort and understanding as you work through your therapy. Sharing how you feel can sometimes make you feel you are not alone.
Communicating with Your Therapist
Open communication with your therapist will, therefore, be vital in effective treatment. If you’re feeling worse, it’s time to talk about it. Here’s how:
Be Honest About Your Feelings: Let your therapist know how you’ve been feeling since the beginning of your therapy. That way, they may try to comprehend your experience and make some changes where necessary. Being open may result in a valuable insight and adjustments that might improve your situation.
Discuss Progress and Challenges: Discuss any progress, no matter how small you may feel it is. Often, identifying positive changes can help to keep the benefits of therapy in perspective for the path ahead even in times of adversity. Sometimes, sharing difficulties with your therapist will give them the context that they need to be of more help.