Do you currently use a Psychologist on a normal basis?

When I met the psychologist through the local weight management clinic as a pre-op issue, he said that he was available for ANY issues I had, regardless of if they were weight loss related or not.  As a policy, they schedule a post-op appointment (which you could cancel if desired) which I ended up going to.  I talked a bit about not having a "cheerleader" type husband and after feeling better I decided to go in more regularly.  At first every other month, then every month for a bit more than a year. At first, I did almost all talking without much "feedback" and wondered if it was worth it.  But I guess it took time for him to get to understand my issues and after a while some good suggestions came out of it.  I stopped going this past summer because my attitudes towards my husband had really turned around (thanks to several key suggestions and alot of practice putting ideas into actions!).  We are in such a different place and honestly my husband hasn't really changed...just my way of looking at things.

Like I said most of my issues were not WLS related but an example of one we covered was this:  My husband still brings home junk food.  Much of it doesn't bother me but ice cream does and I "can't help" but eat it.  I developed an attitude along the lines of "well if he's stupid enough to bring it here, he's gonna have to deal with me eating it."  The psych. pointed out I was blaming him for my lack of self control, and that as an adult he has every right to bring food for himself into the house.  I didn't like that answer at the time, and I still wish my husband was more considerate about that issue, but when it is there I make sure that eating it (when I do choose to) is my OWN choice and I can't use it against him.

So for ME it was a huge help, even if it didn't feel quite so at the beginning.  My insurance covers mental health for 25 visits a year and I'm really glad I put them to good use.

Pam thanks so much for sharing. I was even hesitant to post this topic, but I think, we all have some issues  with food, or we wouldn't  be here on this board. 

Like you had stated about aknowledging it's the lack of control is  "our issue".  It really hit home. I guess I'm looking for some of that hard honesty too!

Thanks again,
Prek-3

Hi,

My insurance only covers 20 counseling visits; but the psychiatrist visits since they were Rx related were charged as if he was a "regular" doctor.  If he had given me any counseling it would have counted against my 20 visits.  When my visits are up, I pay the full price; but my therapist tries to spread them out in a way that doesn't happen, and use them when I need them most. She is a gem.

Thank you for your kind words.

Leslie

I saw a psychologist just before and after surgery.  He helped me deal with food addiction issues, how to handle them, and taught me some skills for resisting temptation.  I did not want him to plumb the depths of my soul, just help me with controlling my addiction. That's just what he did.

Worth every minute & every penny.

PS: There's a buzz-word for psychologists who help you with a specific issue such as WLS with short-term treatment. The approach is called cognitive-behavioral therapy.  That's what I had surrounding WLS (I've had longer term therapy before).

If you want to have a personality overhaul and spend years in psychotherapy, look for someone who calls themselves "analytic" or "psychoanalytic."  They love to explore your childhood, etc., but aren't very good at helping you resolve specific issues quickly.  Woody Allen famously saw a psychoanalyst -- for years and years.

Hi Shrinkingguy!.
       I am so happy to hear you say that it was worth every penny! Thats what I'm looking for, some one to help me over come those food comfort addictions. I'm taking some comfort in knowing she had food issues too!
        "cognitive-behaviorial therapy"? sounds so deep? I'll have to inquire about that with her. I just can't believe how much better I felt just finally putting it on the table. Rather freeing, and I thought it wasn't a big huge deal, but I guess it was, cause it felt so good to put it out there.

I hope you don't mind me asking, but  how often do you see him ? (You can PM me if you like.)
Therapist? Counselor? same or different?

Thanks so much, you gave me alot to consider,
Prek-3

        

I see a psych for my medication (I take Cymbalta), but I only see him for a 10 minute visit every 2 months. I have been seeing a therapist who deals with food issues for over a year now. When I first started seeing her, I was still on my "not going to have surgery" thinking. It was with her that I came to the decision to get the band. She never persuaded me one way or the other, I was the one who came to the decision on my own. She would support whatever decision I made.

She has been great in helping me deal with the mourning of the loss of food, the fact that I use my fat as a way to stay alone (and keep men away from me), and to deal with my family, where I am the only one with a significant weight problem. My Mom is overweight, but not like me.

I think therapy is very useful when we undergo such a huge life change. I am very fortunate that my insurance covers it, I only have to pay a $15 co-pay for every visit, I got every other week. 

Hi Pam,
        Let me first thank you for sharing with me. I so agree about the "huge life change",
But I also want to commit to making this life change stick, my band is just a "tool" . I made the commitment  and investment to use a trainer  as a "tool", and I will continue to commit to it. The psych is another life investment "tool".

 I have heard from my doctors office about a group they have for those who have regained their weight, and have witnessed people I know who have gained it back . So if they can regain it, then whose to say I couldn't.? I should have been more pro-active and should have continued after the pyhc eval. .I have lost continueously  in the 11 months since surgery, but I know my loss is S L O W I N G down, and I need to be able to handle that too.

I hear that "maintaining" can be more challenging. Lord knows I have lost lots of weight in the past. Losing is almost the "easy" part, it's maintaining I want to gaurentee.  I look at the weight as just being a  "symptom". Like someone having an affair, the affair is a mere sympton to a deeper problem.

Thank you soooo much again for sharing, I hope that newbies will read this post and not take their phsyc eval.lightly and consider follow up.
Prek-3