Session #4: Patient [XXXXXXXX XXXXX]

​

Psychologist

Everything going okay this week?

​

[XXXXXXXX]

Yeah. I'm fine.

​

Psychologist

That's good to hear. Are you ready to get started with what we ended last time? Talking more specifically about the Dream.

​

[XXXXXXXX]

Do you have children?

​

Psychologist

You didn't answer my question.

​

[XXXXXXXX]

Oh, right. I'm sorry, I am ready. We can focus today, I was just curious. Is it okay if I ask you questions sometimes too?

​

Psychologist

Focus is good. But it's alright to get a little sidetracked. Maybe if we focus in on the Dream, I'll talk a little about myself after, if you want to know.

​

[XXXXXXXX]

Sounds good to me.

​

Psychologist

Okay. I want to talk to you about this storm. The one you have told me appeared over the forest. The one where you found your mother at the center. Did you just encounter it there, or did it affect anything else?

​

[XXXXXXXX]

Well, the storm was centered over the forest, but there were other parts of it as well. I think I fought a part of it, early into the Dream. I wasn't sure though, because I couldn't look directly at. I remember by just being around it, I starting having terrible thoughts, the kind of thoughts that keep you up at night, really negative things. I couldn't help it either. 

​

Psychologist

So, in this Dream, the storm wasn't just a natural threat? More of an emotional one too.

​

[XXXXXXXX]

I would say so yeah. But I did manage to beat it, the first time I fought it head on.

​

Psychologist

That's good.

​

[XXXXXXXX]

What do you think it was? 

​

Psychologist

Well, I have my thoughts for sure. But we have to remember, real or not, your mind was the space where all of this happened. So whatever happened in there, came from you in some way. Sometimes, our mind can be our worst enemy, and often at the worst of times. Do you know what I mean?

​

[XXXXXXXX]

I do. A little too well maybe.

​

Psychologist

Is there something else you want to talk about?

​

[XXXXXXXX]

Well, I remember feeling awful from the time I found Dad's letter, to the time I fell into that coma. Just terrible everyday, it felt like there wasn't any reason to do anything anymore. Forget school, I started having trouble just getting out of bed. When it was worst, it felt like a giant hand pushing on me, keeping me down, paralyzing me. 

​

Psychologist

I'm sorry to hear that. It sounds like you had textbook depressive symptoms. 

​

[XXXXXXXX]

I think so too, though at the time I couldn't really figure out what it was. But the thing is, when I was in this dream, the way I was able to beat this storm monster, was that I realized that all the thoughts it made me think, were the same as I had been thinking for the past few months. 

​

Psychologist

So, some sort of external manifestation of your depressive feelings? That's interesting.

​

[XXXXXXXX]

I mean, I don't know. Maybe. All I know is it made me feel the same way. 

​

Psychologist

And you beat it.

​

[XXXXXXXX]

Yes and no I guess. I beat it in the moment, but the larger storm was still there, and that didn't go away at all. 

​

Psychologist

Well, if this was a manifestation of these feelings you had, then you should know there is no beating it, really.

​

[XXXXXXXX]

Great to hear.

​

Psychologist

But that doesn't mean it isn't managed. And it sounds like you learned to manage it in there.

​

[XXXXXXXX]

I think so too.

​

Psychologist

Good job today, I think we are making a lot of progress. I'll see you next week.

​

[XXXXXXXX]

Wait, you said you would tell me about yourself a little if we focused.

​

Psychologist

Right. Well, we don't have any more time, but to answer your question, I do have a son. 

​

[XXXXXXXX]

What's his name?

​

Psychologist

Jason.*

​

*I have searched for Jason. I long to meet him, to understand him. I've never doubted his existence. She lies, make no mistake. But in this, I have never doubted her.

​

-Editor

​