Interesting Quote

[Mawyanne]

I happened to find this interesting quote when reading about some high peak mountain climbers who faced traumatic, life threatening situations.
"While retelling such stories might bring up potentially distressing memories, Susan Pease Banitt (author of 'The Trauma Toolkit: Healing PTSD From the Inside Out') thinks that it could also have a beneficial effect. 'Disclosure promotes physical health and well-being. It does not seem to matter whether the traumas are told in therapy, among friends, or in writing; what does make a difference is the telling,' she says."

 

[BlueOrange]

I think that's mostly true. Talking about the experiences in an environment where you feel safe, where you feel that people are listening, and where you get a response that you consider appropriately helpful, that tends to be a good idea. Forcing yourself to do it, reliving the experience and just feeling worse, these things tend not to help.

In general though, I agree. If you feel like telling your story, then telling your story is good.

 

[Seasounds]

I've needed to learn the balance of where, when, to whom, and how much, to share. Culturally, I'm glad that it is more socially acceptable to share these experiences.

Retelling and sharing stories far outweighs keeping the trauma inside. I have had to make sure that my re-telling is helpful, not re-traumatizing. Learning how to do this, and how to gauge this, took time.

Through a lot of experimentation, I've found that re-telling stories can be very beneficial, if done using discretion-to the right audience. It creates support, and community, while dispelling isolation and shame. I got the chance to integrate more and more of my experiences.

When I told my stories to the wrong people, or told it too many times, it contributed to alienation, hostility, gossip, and it negatively affected many friendships-some people didn't know what to do when they heard of trauma.

 

[UniqueSunflower]

I happened to find this interesting quote when reading about some high peak mountain climbers who face...

I agree disclosure can be really helpful throughout the healing process. The fact that the mountain climbers had similar experiences although possibly different interpretations of the events seems like a factor as well. Experiencing something within a group, you would be able to rely on each other for support due to the commonality of the situation. Early on, I couldn't talk about the details of my assault although now that time has created some distance along with buckets and buckets....and buckets of tears, I can talk about it with less apprehension. Writing about things in this type of forum where you can remain anonymous is so helpful. I had no idea how liberating it would be to be able to express things I haven't been able to openly communicate with others. Soon after my assault, I put my experience into a story format. I think it was too soon though since it put me into a depressive funk for a few days. I'm curious if it would have that same affect now.

 

[Deleted member 28740]

For me different traumas - have to deal with them differently. Choosing to do extreme sport and consequences are not the same in any form for me to personal assaults. Race motorcycles, offshore sailing and overboard, not the same. Choice maybe the difference of being in at any moment in a life threatning situation, and surviving that.

Have not done military. That seems an in-between.

Assault is utterly different for me to process or discuss.

 

[Mawyanne]

I think that's mostly true. Talking about the experiences in an environment where you feel safe, wh...

You're right!
Along with what you said, a key factor is talking (or writing) with a person/s who have similar experiences... As PTSD sufferers ourselves, we are in a unique position to help each other with tested listening skills.

 

[Mawyanne]

Adding to my last comment... As fellow PTSD sufferers, we gain not simply listening skills but our own traumas build in us a deep & tender compassion for others who suffer the challenges that PTSD brings, both the physical & emotional responses that are triggered in us. We therefore listen with open ears, open hearts, open minds & open arms. Not only are we in a privileged position to help support others in our PTSD community, but we are enabled to accept such supportive help from our community here.

 

[Mawyanne]

For me different traumas - have to deal with them differently. Choosing to do extreme sport and con...

I think everyone here would agree that traumas that result from putting oneself in harms way (such as by choosing to do extreme sports) is poles apart from traumas that result from ones who are, beyond their control, forcibly pushed into harms way, and often forced by trusted family members at that! Those who make the choice to put themselves in dangerous situations and reap the consequences can always look back and say 'Maybe I shouldn't have attempted that." Those of us who have survived, for example, childhood sexual abuse/rape, cannot ever appropriately look back and say, "Maybe I shouldn't have..." as if the responsibility of the traumas somehow rest on their shoulders. (so much more could be said on this!)
The quote, however, wasn't applicable only those mountain climbers. The application regarding 'talking' is beneficial to all PTSD sufferers, regardless of how & under what circumstances the traumas occurred.

 

[Mawyanne]

I've needed to learn the balance of where, when, to whom, and how much, to share. Culturally, I'm glad t...

Vandya, thank you so much for sharing those good thoughts! I am also one who has taken a very long time to realize the importance of knowing the who/what/when/where of 'spilling' any confidential matter!

 

[Mawyanne]

I agree disclosure can be really helpful throughout the healing process. The fact that the mou...

Thank you, Sunflower! I very much appreciate your comments... I feel the same way

 

[Deleted member 28740]

'talking' is beneficial to all PTSD sufferers, regardless of how & under what circumstances the traumas occurred.

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Talk therapy - experience is that family and friends are not a safe outlet. Finding a therapist to work with has been challenging. Here, most of us talk around the traumas. I can write the word rape. But not discuss IT. I can write drive by shooting, but not talk about IT. Many here have found therapists that they can work with, years of work to excavate down to the experience itself. A goal to find a T to 'talk' to.

 

[Mawyanne]

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Talk therapy - experience is that family and friends are not a safe outlet. Finding a therapist...

Hmm... Why do members here only talk around their traumas? (remember... I'm new) And what forum here do I use to talk about my own traumas...childhood sexual abuse, rape & attempted rape, emotional or mental abuse, abandonment, etc.? I hope to get support from those with similar experiences.