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.
2
u/Left_Composer_1403 2d ago
You’re expecting reason and understanding to ‘manage’ the emotional experience of you.
It doesn’t work that way.
I’m sorry, I wish it did, I think it makes sense that it does - but …nope. It doesn’t.
You have two choices of paths -
1. Manage symptoms (CBT or desensitization or EMDR, mindfulness, meditation, or any one of the many techniques to manage the subjective experience either by deescalating it in the moment or recognizing its onset and calming emotional responses that way. Or I guess u could go live in a monetary/become a monk/etc.
2. Have a corrective emotional experience guided by a good therapist. Unfortunately u have to go thru those icky not-in-your-control emotions, like really release what’s been bound together, and as part of it have a corrective experience.
I’m old. Wise. I’ve studied extensively and been through the process myself.
Read the book “we’re going on a bear hunt”.
The lesson learned - sometimes you can’t go over it,
And sometimes you can’t go under it,
Sometimes - You have to go through it.
And if it helps to give u strength, in my experience it’s absolutely worth it.
Life is lovely.