Passive Self-Injury Explained: Why It’s So Confusing

On Ask Kati Anything, your mental health podcast episode 220, licensed therapist Kati Morton delves into the complexities of suicidal thoughts, the impact of a therapist's age on therapy, and the appropriateness of requesting more physical touch from a therapist. She also clarifies the differences between Patreon and YouTube memberships, offers strategies for overcoming depressive symptoms, and discusses how experiencing sexual abuse at a young age can lead to abusive behaviors in the future.

Audience questions:
1. I have no plan or intent but SI consumes a lot of my thoughts. I have struggled with passive SI for a while but not usually as often and I started doing things like cleaning my room just in case I die even though I have no plan. I don’t know why these thoughts keep entering my brain and I feel confused because the thought of dying both calms me and makes me terrified at the same time. I’m too afraid to talk about it in therapy and then I convince myself it’s not that big of a deal so I don’t say anything. I hope this makes sense because I’m confused with my own thoughts. 01:10
2. My past therapists have all been much older than me, but my current therapist is a few years younger, not by much, but enough for me to feel uneasy. It's been a few years and I am much more comfortable with her now. However, I still find myself screening what I say and I am reluctant to share my struggles. In the last few years, she has gotten married, had a kid, and lost a parent. I already feel like I've fallen behind in life because of my depression and GAD.... 11:33
3. How do you go about asking your therapist for more physical touch? I don’t want to cross any boundaries I don’t know about, and at the same time I worry that I will feel awful if she says no… so I’m really afraid to ask. She has used touch in the past with me (held my hand, placed her hand on my knee to remind me that she was still there when I was disassociating), but I’m scared to ask for it. How do I get over the fear of rejection from her even when I know it would just be a professional boundary? Thank you for these amazing videos! They have helped me so much! 18:55
4. I wonder if you can explain how you view your relationship with your patreons/ community members? I have been thinking of joining but l'm a bit confused about what the relationship is? Thanks. Hope you don't mind me asking again. 30:10
5. I have been suffering from depression and anxiety for the last few years, now I am constantly struggling with a very low mood. I feel like I'm trying to climb out of a dark hole. As it is affecting the normal everyday aspects of my life. What can I do to try and turn these around on a personal level? I have little to no energy or motivation every day... 32:37
6. Hey Kati not really sure if you would want to even talk to someone like me but here we go I guess.. Me and my younger sister were both SA by our dad from a very young age. My sister has started therapy recently and has been encouraging me to go too. I have thought about it but now don't feel like anyone would want to have me as a patient. Our abuser recently passed away and as I was going through boxes I came across some pics... 35:47

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Linnea Toney [email protected]

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