Therapist N 1
“You look tired, Tess.”
“Good morning to you, too.”
“I’m just observing. Your eyes are bloodshot, your shoulders are slumping, and you’ve yawned twice since you walked in here thirty seconds ago.”
“I am tired.”
“You haven’t been drinking?”
“God, no.”
“Have you been sleeping?”
“Some.”
“What does some mean?”
“More than none and less than a lot.”
“You know lack of sleep can lead to irritability.”
“Is that’s what’s causing it?”
“Possibly.”
“Or maybe I’m just naturally irritable.”
“It can also lead to poor decision-making.”
“I decided to keep this appointment.”
“So, you’re still making some good decisions.”
“Maybe.”
“Are the voices keeping you awake?”
“Sometimes.”
“What do they say?”
“Among other things, they say that I shouldn’t tell you what they say.”
“And do you believe that?”
“I don’t know what I believe. I just want them to shut up so I can get some sleep. So, I promise. I promise them I won’t tell you.”
“You know I can’t help you if you won’t tell me what’s going on in your head.”
“Isn’t it enough to know they’re talking to me? Do you really have to know what they’re saying?”
“How are the compulsions?”
“Not as bad as sometimes. Four nights this week I had time to get all my homework done before I had to count the cars in the parking lot or tap every doorknob in the dorm. There are a hundred and fifty-three in case you’re interested.”
“Cars in the parking lot?”
“Doorknobs in the dorm. The car count is different every night.”
“Would you like me to prescribe you something to help you sleep?”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Why not?”
“What if the voices say something important and I don’t hear it because I’m knocked out by your drugs?”
“You know the voices aren’t real. What they say is not important.”
“Easy for you to say.”
“You’re right. I understand that they are real to you.”
“As real as you are. And just as stubborn.”
“You can’t function without sleep, Tess, especially at college. I’m going to prescribe something very mild. It will help you sleep, but I promise, if the voices need you, they’ll still be able to wake you up.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure. Get some sleep, Tess. Remember…”
“I know. Lack of sleep leads to bad decision-making.”
“That’s right.”
“How do I know taking your pills isn’t one of those bad decisions?”
“It’s a very mild dose, Tess. Please, just take the medication and get some sleep.”
“Fine.”