Originally Posted by
Gigabitch 
I'd like to mention that Mishanya's posts in this thread were extremely helpful.
I've been in therapy for years, trying to deal with a crappy childhood and free myself from a lot of negative patterns I inherited from my low-functioning family. While I can say it's been productive in some ways, it's also been at an incredible cost. As I found myself making positive changes, I also felt myself slipping into a really scary depression, which lasted for a long time.
I've recently made quite a lot of progress in that area simply by recognizing that the amount of time and energy I spend dredging up the past and examining it has to be limited or it turns into a depressive cycle, spiraling downward.
Surprisingly, my therapist isn't quite on board with this. She thinks I'm trying to avoid dealing with issues. I've tried to explain that I'm trying to avoid dwelling on issues, and that there's a huge difference.
Anyway, just wanted to thank Mish for the help.
I saw a therapist for 2 years after I broke up with a girl I was with for 3 years. The goal was to get me detached from her. When I noticed that he wouldn't be able to help me get over her, I started digging up the past during my visits with him. It is very difficult for me to bring up those suppressed feelings, and it was for no effort. I think in the end I was just embarrassing myself, because I still have that angst and those insecurities.
I've begun to realize that those things are a vital part of my personality, so I don't shun them as much as I once did. I've began to realize that it's not what prevents me from living a happy life, but rather gives me the wisdom to push me to work for a happy life. I don't see any more therapists, I've found that writing about it is better.
The point is that, sometimes, it might take something else to help you. Therapists work for a lot of people, but the rest of us need to find our answers on our own.