Sufferer Hi, new here - ptsd & depression - on wait list for therapy

[Dolphin Lady]

Hi, I have been diagnosed with PTSD and Depression. Feeling so low at the moment. Had big meltdown at work and have been signed off work but support from the NHS is very slow and I have to wait. I feel like I will explode unless I can talk to someone soon about my feelings. I want to run away to escape it all. Started antidepressants a few days ago so feeling spaced out too. I wondered how other people cope with having no one to talk too?

 

[ladee]

Welcome !! Glad you found us !!... On those days we come here, and we share, and others comment and share ...... it's not the same as face to face of course, but an awesome substitute... glad you are here, sorry for what brought you here tho.... but you are among people who really understand, and you will find a lot of support and understanding here.....

 

[Dolphin Lady]

Thank you, it is good to know I am not alone! Feels very lonely sometimes even when there are others close by...
My emotions are all over the place. Recently had EMDR and felt so much better but 3 weeks after, massive meltdown! and everything feels unsafe again. Hyper vigilant and irritable so now not sure EMDR has helped?

 

[Freida]

Welcome!

I've been doing EMDR for about a year - and it is brutal. It has an astonishing success rate and almost everyone I know who has done it raves about the results. But - it's not a quick fix and can up your symptoms for a while because you are re-experiencing the emotions you couldn't have during your trauma. A massive melt after a treatment is pretty normal I think. I'm the queen of the delayed reaction so I have to keep a journal to see what upsets me, when, and what its related to. That helped me see what triggers what.

 

[Dolphin Lady]

Hi Freida, yes, I wondered if it was something to do with the EMDR because it has happened 3 weeks since I finished treatment. I have only had 7 sessions because that is all the NHS will give me. They wont allow any more! I dont think it is enough, well not for me anyway. I feel the need to talk about my feelings and you cant do that in EMDR as you know. I am not sure if CBT might help but I was getting better but now all the trauma feelings and reactions have come back and it is all too much at the moment. I am not sure where to go next? I thought EMDR would have sorted my past trauma memories?
Thanks for replying to my thread.

 

[Freida]

I thought EMDR would have sorted my past trauma memories?

that's the idea, but it can sometimes take longer than you expect because it deals with each trauma individually and you are correct - once you open that door you need to be able to talk about what EMDR shook loose. I'm not really familiar with the NHS system - can you get a trauma therapist who could possibly refer you for more EMDR? Or if not, do they offer regular counseling?

 

[Dolphin Lady]

Yes it might be possible to get more EMDR but not for 3 months. I am going to ask for CBT because then at least I can talk!

 

[Freida]

That sounds like a plan.... EMDR --- 3 months of CBT to recover.. EMDR -- 3 months of CBT and repeat!

 

[Dolphin Lady]

I can only hope NHS will provide this for me, if not I will have to find a private Trauma CBT therapist and pay and the sessions cost about £60 for 50 minutes. Did you have CBT?

 

[Freida]

Yep - I have two therapists. One does my EMDR and the other does CBT/Trauma/Internal Family to help get me through days with all the crap EMDR brings back into my life.

 

[Dolphin Lady]

Thats amazing, I am glad you have that support. The US system seems much better than our NHS when it comes to mental health care. I dont think we are able to access both here? EMDR is our first line when it comes to trauma. They seem to think that after that we are cured !

 

[Freida]

EMDR is our first line when it comes to trauma.

they are finding that it actually works best when it comes first - especially with recent trauma. The military and some police agencies have started using it on scene and sounds like they are getting some really good results.

Using it for old trauma is quite as easy to find. I'm going thru the VA and there were only two VA providers in the entire area who did EMDR, so it was a 2 month wait to get in.