Sufferers: If You Had A Ptsd Support Group In Your Community Would You Go?

[Crow]

I'd go in a second. All I can find is combat ptsd groups and while it's still all ptsd, combat and complex ptsd are so different.

 

[Changing4Best]

I would go, but I would not want to discuss my traumas at all, but instead I would want to discuss coping skills, or just get support about things going on in my life in the present. This is like my therapy and my therapist now. I don't hardly ever discuss my traumas with her, other than to have said very generally that this type of trauma was done to me at a very young age and also when I was an adult. We only discuss my present life and that is the way I like it.

I went into one of my traumas once in therapy with a different therapist. I was forced into it, not let loose from the session until I divulged the whole incident. I left therapy for years after that, refusing to go back. Finally I realized I needed therapy years later and found another therapist who practices a whole different kind of therapy. She has never forced me into any of my traumas, thank God! I would quit again if she ever did so. I am in my 60s now and not in any physical condition to deal with traumas.

 

[Fuma]

Absolutely. I feel I must be weak, broken, and I can't talk about what I'm dealing with with anyone because they'll think I'm nuts. I can't relax, always anxious, all my energy goes into trying to look normal, and I don't think I'm even doing that well. A support group would be a great outlet. I won't feel like I'm paying someone to listen, judge, and fix me. I'd be around people who really understand. People who want to be there, and move forward.

 

[Thematrix]

Have you found The Essence of Being Real? That is a PTSD peer group guide that my therapist gav...

@Broken Dahlia, no, I haven't. Thanks for this.

 

[Chimera]

I would try it...
After I've digested some therapy and have a stronger skillset concerning my particular ptsd methodology.
As for now, probably not a smart idea..

 

[Gadgie]

I would attend, in fact I even asked if there was a group session that I could go to, but the therapist told me that there wasn't enough people in our area to justify one? That was a few years ago, when I was getting help.

Yet, one day I met the next person who was going to see the same therapist as me, while she went to make a phone call.

He told me that he was fireman, and knew a few folk at his station, and at other stations, that also had PTSD, as well as a couple of police personal that he knew of.

So, there was enough for a group, maybe they don't want to hold group therapies?

 

[Teasel]

I think such a group could be incredible or bloody awful. I'd be very interested indeed. Wary too. I've never been to any group like this. About the closest might be a 12 step thing. And there is some structure in those that I like. Not saying I'd necessarily want a 12 step though.
Have also been to a few "workshops" for ptsd. Which I absolutely hate lol.

 

[Deleted member 31177]

A big "NO" for me!! I've already lived through my traumas and am now a total recluse, when I used to be an extrovert all my life. No need to bring alive all that $hit up again. Although I did recently finish a paid 3.5 month PTSD study through Stanford U. The everyday stuff I Did was not a problem, but at the end of each month, they had someone call you for about 1.5 hours and it was dreadful, even though they were nice and more knowledgeable than any therapist I have ever seen, they knew how to dig really deep and make alive the traumas - lots of shaking and crying.

So again, it's a Nope for me.

 

[Deleted member 29920]

Just wanted to elaborate a bit on my first answer. I really don't think I could cope with a group right now because I haven't worked through my traumas one to one. I would probably end up having a panic attack simply because there'd be more than one other person there, and I freak out currently if several people are looking at me. It would be awful. If I ever manage to get stable like I was around ten years ago when I was blocking everything out, then I think I'd manage fine and maybe even like it! I'd be grateful for support and to support other people.

 

[LotusRoot]

I’ve been in a great group for about a year and a half. It is peer support, with a very great peer facilitator. The boundaries are very clear – we don’t want to trigger each other – and everyone is responsible for keeping the conversation at support rather than depth stuff.

The facilitator reviews the rules at the beginning of every meeting, reminding of boundaries, and we’re each responsible for taking care of ourself and the group. If someone needs to mention anything bad, they hold up a hand to warn people; if anything starts getting out of hand, we stop the group for a break. Anyone can stop the group at any time, if they’re triggered or uncomfortable. It does take a bit of work to stay in that space, from everyone, but it’s good work.

It is anonymous, and screened. We don’t acknowledge each other outside the group. Privacy is needed for many people. You don’t have to disclose. It’s many different types of trauma injury. We talk about a lot of different things, from self-protection to therapies to symptoms to society issues to just getting by. “Therapy-speak” is not allowed, but lots of discussion about what worked or didn’t work for one or another or some. But mostly it is the company, knowing other people are going through the same struggles. We laugh a lot.

I needed this badly when I was slipping into flashback. Most of the people in my life do not have ptsd, and there was that terrible dislocation where it feels like I’m drowning and everyone is talking about cheesecake and baubles – I did not need to go in-depth with people (gosh, I know the place...), but really needed the company of people who know the realities of this injury, for a reality check. It was a life boat: I’m human again, not crazy, just going through the pain and weirdness.

So the right group ~is~ possible, but lots of safety guards to keep it where you want it.

 

[Teasel]

But mostly it is the company, knowing other people are going through the same struggles. We laugh a lot.

I needed this badly when I was slipping into flashback. Most of the people in my life do not have ptsd, and there was that terrible dislocation where it feels like I’m drowning and everyone is talking about cheesecake

Your group sounds great :) good to hear there are things like that out there.

 

[rainy_daze]

would you go?

I would consider it, but I would be leaning towards no, because I would worry that people would go their to target vulnerable people. How would I know if people there were genuine? [and not out to hurt me further?]

However, I maybe worry more than other people about being targetted at things like that. It is very difficult to trust a room full of strangers and expose the PTSD side of yourself, IMHO.