My Psychologist wants me to vist a place that triggers me, Why?

[Liberty4all]

My Psychologist wants me to go to a motorcycle dealership that will trigger me, and remain there until I feel comfortable? I can bearly think about going why does she want me to do this?

 

[Kubash16]

Have you asked her why? Sounds like exposure therapy to me but I could be wrong. Do you have PTSD?

 

[Liberty4all]

Yes I did ask, she used pavlovas dogs as an example, she wants me to become comfortable with my triggers, I have not been diagnosed yet. Today was my 4th visit with her, I was sent to her because the VA has me on a low dose of opioids and I have been laid off work for 8 months and jobs in my career field in my area are few and far between, when I told The VA pain DR I was suffering from depression he sent me to the Psychologist that deals with croinc pain. My first visit I told her about having episodes of panic from a motorcycle accident I had and has resulted in me having a hard time keeping jobs due to my disability. Thru the 4 sessions she now wants me to go to a motorcycle dealership and stay there until I am comfortable with my anxiety and other symptoms... not only that she wants me to go to two dealerships or anywhere there are motorcycles...In the first visit she stated I am suffering from PTSD, and I pulled my records and in the first record she stated that now she erased it and says I suffer from Undifferentiated somatoform disorder...I am so new to this and I feel like I am in a whirlwind of non understanding...I need help

 

[Kubash16]

I can understand the frustration with everything being confusing. Always remember that you are in control of your therapy, if you feel like she’s pushing you too far and she doesn’t listen when you say so, you have the ability to find someone better suited to you.

I would ask her if you can start with pictures of motorcycles instead. Then work your way up.

 

[Friday]

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[Liberty4all]

She ask me to bring in photos of my accident, and I will try to find them, this is not easy, I have no idea where they are. I cannot go to a dealership, I am scared just thinking about it. I will try and take my wife to help, but I do not see it going well. I have been suffering every since I passed a horrific motorcycle accident and my heart started pounding/racing, and I broke out in a sweat and had to pull to the side of the road thinking I was having a heart attack, this was about 5 to 8 years ago, and I have been suffering attacks when a bike passes me loud and fast, or I hear or see the motorcycle I was riding when I had my accident. Why would she want me to go somewhere that will put me in distress? and want me to stay there, "in her words","until you feel comfortable with the anxiety I feel", are you serious? I do not know where to put this...I do not want to let her down but I sure do not want to voluntarily put myself in a compromised position... I am new to this, she initially said I was suffering from PTSD, I do not know, that is why I am seeing her, please advise me of what is going on, I have had four visits with her and se, to me, seems a bit aggressive, but like I said this is all new to me. I appreciate any insight to help and what I should do.

 

[Liberty4all]

I just signed up today 4/5/19 and please excuse me, I will try and learn how the site works. Thank you for all your help.

 

[SinkorSwim]

I just signed up today 4/5/19 and please excuse me, I will try and learn how the site works. Thank you for all your help.

Welcome! This seems really odd to me. In my opinion. I wouldn't do it until I had a trained professional with me to help guide me through this exposure therapy. Has she given you any grounding skills at all?

 

[Justmehere]

I can bearly think about going why does she want me to do this?

This is why:

Yes I did ask, she used pavlovas dogs as an example, she wants me to become comfortable with my triggers

It sounds like she is using a form of exposure therapy to desensitize you to triggers. There are other forms of treatment, but almost all trauma therapies involve some level of exposure to triggers and learning how to manage symptoms when triggers, and work through the trigger. (I can't think of a single exception...)

You have been avoiding the triggers... but it's perhaps not working as well as you would like. She's asking you try something new. Exposure therapy freaks many people out at first, but can be very effective. It's usually done in steps. For example, for the person who is terrified of flying, the first step may be just imagining going to the airport, and then once that becomings comfortable, perhaps they drive by the airport. Once that shifts, they may go into the airport. Then they get closer and closer to the trigger. They generally don't just go hop on a plane as step one.

Description of exposure therapy from the VA: Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE) for PTSD - Mental Health

Throwing you into the depth of your trigger at the get go? That does seem a little intense. I'd suggest asking her ways to break it down, take it step by step, in a slower fashion. The photos and going to motorcycle shops may be her way of trying to approach it at a distance, but maybe you need a little more distance to start.

If you are concerned you can't manage the symptom spike you will experience by going, then ask to work on skills to manage symptoms from triggers.

I told The VA pain DR I was suffering from depression he sent me to the Psychologist that deals with croinc pain.

There is a a great book called Dead Link Removedthat discusses in depth the connection between chronic pain and the psychological impact of trauma. Psychological pain from trauma isn't just held in the brain, but the body too.

In the first visit she stated I am suffering from PTSD, and I pulled my records and in the first record she stated that now she erased it and says I suffer from Undifferentiated somatoform disorder...I am so new to this and I feel like I am in a whirlwind of non understanding...I need help

Talk to your psychologist about the change in diagnosis. They should be able to discuss it with you in depth.

Undifferentiated somatoform disorder. Involves unexplained physical symptoms that last for at least six months, but do not meet the diagnostic threshold for somatization disorder. Treating somatoform disorders - Harvard Health

The diagnosis you have been given seems like a diagnosis given when there isn't a clear explanation for symptoms yet.

 

[Liberty4all]

Welcome! This seems really odd to me. In my opinion. I wouldn't do it until I had a trained professional with me to help guide me through this exposure therapy. Has she given you any grounding skills at all?

I am so new I do not know

 

[Justmehere]

Grounding skills are simply ways to cope with symptoms like anxiety. What tools to manage anxiety has she reviewed with you over these 4 sessions?

 

[Liberty4all]

Everyone, please excuse me, I am new to what I am going through medically, and this blog, I have never been on a blog befiore so please excuse me, I have to learn it, I catch on quick, and thank you for all your help...