Susan’s doctor said, “go back to work – get on with your life – you’re okay now.” Although these were good words to hear, she felt an odd emptiness. And, as she got down from the table, Susan started to cry.
“Whats going on with me – I’m doing well and I’m thankful,” she thought. Then she began to feel guilty – “I have no right to feel bad – suck it up and get dressed,” she kept telling herself. Now Susan was totally confused about her emotions and she felt guilty for even having them!
Therapist’s Notes
Sometimes patients deny themselves normal, healthy emotions and the result is often an internal battle for acknowledgment. There is a difference between acknowledging “that” something happened AND acknowledging “how” something feels.
In many ways talking about “how” something feels is more healing than talking about the fact “that” it happened – The first is about being human and the second is about the facts.
Since Susan was caught in an emotional tug-of-war between being grateful and feeling. I think I would have said…Susan, you have just been through a life-threatening situation, this is your life and its precious and you get to feel this.
Because if you don’t its like a vapor and it will seep under every door of your life until you acknowledge it – until you acknowledge how you experienced it.
Then you can get on with your healing.