To have under-estimated how counselling would make me feel?

[anotherchangetomyname]

I'm currently having counselling for birth trauma and all the crap that happened after. It's taken me a long time to get to the point where I felt able to ask for help (DS is 2) and we've gone private, rather than have to wait. I've had three sessions.

I'm quite shocked at how low I feel - really, really down. Exhausted all the time, comfort eating almost constantly (then feeling bad about that) really tetchy and 'off' and just generally really low in mood.

It will get better right?

I honestly had no idea I'd feel like that. Was it niaive of me? Is there anything I can do to help it?

It was will get better, but speak to your counsellor and share how you've been feeling so they can adapt their approach if it's affecting you so much on a day to day basis.

Emotional exhaustion can have physical symptoms, you're probably not sleeping very well either as you process what you've been talking about. You're almost reliving your experiences and your feelings and responses will be so strong and it will take you by surprise. Be extra kind to yourself.

Do you know what type of counselling you're having?

In truth, no I have no idea! What are the types? I just talk, and occasionally she asks how that made me feel and then interjects with a question or supposition! (She's lovely, and that makes me sound dismissive of her approach, which I'm not)

I think it is very normal to feel quite awful initially as the therapy makes you explore thoughts and feelings you may have pushed aside.

My Dh had exactly this when he started counselling, however within about 6 sessions it had really settled down and the sessions did him so much good. He says a few weeks of feeling awful were worth it as he has now been able to come to terms with his awful childhood.
I hope things settle down for you soon

Talking therapies can make you feel worse before you feel better but in the case of trauma can actually make you just feel worse by retraumatising you (that's what happened to me) are you seeing a trauma specialist? If not I would consider changing to one following my experience. I tried persevering with the first psychologist as he kept telling me it would get worse before it got better then eventually swapped to someone who does IEMT (integrated eye movement therapy) which is similar to EMDR and specifically a trauma treatment. I started feeling better from the first session of that and wish I'd changed therapist sooner.

pinkdonkey yes, she's a trauma specialist, listed on the birth trauma website. She did explain that it would open things up and I'd have to relive it so to speak.

Glad your husband has had some beenfit from it LizzieSiddal I'm hoping that'll be the case for me. I just want to put it all to rest properly and get on ewith enjoying my life now.

My first psychologist talked about ripping the (psycholigical) wound open and cleaning it out, the IEMT therapist basically said that was bollocks, and unnecessary. I didn't have to talk about any of it with him (just think about it) see how you go, but if it's not working for you don't be afraid to try another approach.