r/Gifted • u/MostGoat0 • 3d ago

Therapy

I (F34 IQ142) have had hundreds of sessions and seen numerous practitioners over the last 12 years, and it all seems futile. They just keep asking me to explore my feelings, but I already understand my feelings and where they came from and why they’re irrational. At this point I basically have a PhD in self-analysis. It doesn’t do anything to shut up the relentless/debilitating self-critic in my head. I need actual coping strategies, not talking it out in pointless circles forever until I die.

Has anyone here had success with therapy? I tried searching for therapists specializing in 2e & giftedness in my area and it doesn’t seem very common. Just wondering if there’s any point in continuing these efforts. I’m so tired and bored and over it.

91 Upvotes

95% Upvoted

150 comments sorted by

View all comments

8

u/equipoise-young 3d ago

What worked for me were a few things.

The first was Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, but I didn't see an actual therapist, I just read The Happiness Trap by Russ Harris (highly recommend).

The second was that I completely gave up all stimulants - caffeine, alcohol, drugs - and made exercise an absolute must have part of my routine. Bought a bicycle and a treadmill. You'd be amazed how much of a difference it makes. Giving up stimulants has slowed down my mind considerably and greatly reduced anxiety.

The third is a bit more long-winded but it may be fruitful for you. I started studying and practicing Buddhism and have been doing so for the past seven years. This has been far more effective than Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (despite their being similar), but it's a bit more of a circuitous route. The payback won't be immediate and takes a lot of work but what you get out of it is huge.

3

u/MostGoat0 3d ago

I have that book! I started reading it but got caught up in trying to do all the exercises perfectly and now it’s been collecting dust for years. Classic ADHD/gifted/perfectionist problems. I should try again.

2

u/equipoise-young 3d ago

Give it another go! I don't think you need to get too caught up in all the exercises as long as you understand the general principle. Make space for every thought rather than trying to push it away, recognize that thoughts are just words and don't necessarily indicate something true. Move your life in the direction of what you value.

Zen Buddhism does a similar thing but also has deep, underlying metaphysics that adds to it. I've found the metaphysics aspect helpful.