Sufferer Greetings: starting therapy soon

[Wallflower91]

Hi all,

I've been struggling my whole life with what I've recently found out is C-PTSD from many factors in my childhood causing me to never feel safe.
I'm 34 now and about to start a rigorous 1 week intense treatment program with EDMR and imaginary exposure therapy.
Scared to death it won't work as I've had a couple depressive/suicidal episodes in the past.
The most recent one landed me with a crisis department who have saved my life for now, but what if the treatment isn't successful?

How do you guys deal with the not knowing how effective treatment is going to be and not knowing how long it will take?

KR a wallflower from the Netherlands

 

[Survivor3]

Hi all,

I've been struggling my whole life with what I've recently found out is C-PTSD from many factors in my childhood causing me to never feel safe.
I'm 34 now and about to start a rigorous 1 week intense treatment program with EDMR and imaginary exposure therapy.
Scared to death it won't work as I've had a couple depressive/suicidal episodes in the past.
The most recent one landed me with a crisis department who have saved my life for now, but what if the treatment isn't successful?

How do you guys deal with the not knowing how effective treatment is going to be and not knowing how long it will take?

KR a wallflower from the Netherlands

Hi, how do you gauge success? What's the outcome your hoping for with this current treatment? Different treatments can have different success but I would say ptsd is about managing symptoms not trying to find a 100% cure.

 

[WinnieThePoohChris]

Welcome, it's a journey.
How far you go, how hard you work is all up to you.
If you start to struggle or find it too hard. Take a break. Make progress when and how you can. Every step counts.

 

[Sideways]

Welcome!

Hope your intensive is helpful:)

 

[Wallflower91]

Hi, how do you gauge success? What's the outcome your hoping for with this current treatment? Different treatments can have different success but I would say ptsd is about managing symptoms not trying to find a 100% cure.

Hi back, well I have been out of work since December, I would just like to be able to have a somewhat normal life. Better sleep is a big thing, so more energy and thus being able to juggle work, household and my son without falling apart xD but that may be too much to ask... haha

 

[Wallflower91]

Welcome, it's a journey.
How far you go, how hard you work is all up to you.
If you start to struggle or find it too hard. Take a break. Make progress when and how you can. Every step counts.

thank you, been working really hard to tone the inner critic down and to pace myself more and adapt to my current situation. It just doesn't always feel like progress even though my rational voice knows it is, the critic can be sooo loud. Everyone says well, you can always do more treatment after, but I'm so determined to get my life on the rails that it's hard to not expect a lot from this week xD Perfectionist and striving for the best results is kinda my avoidance mechanism so thats making it extra stressful that it's so close now... Like you say, it should be a journey and I should see it more like that, thanks for your comment!

 

[WinnieThePoohChris]

You sound like you are in a positive space in general, go easy on yourself and be patient, that should help to get the best result.

The ptsd cups explanation on here is really good, helps with pacing, managing issues and stress of treatment.

 

[Survivor3]

Hi back, well I have been out of work since December, I would just like to be able to have a somewhat normal life. Better sleep is a big thing, so more energy and thus being able to juggle work, household and my son without falling apart xD but that may be too much to ask... haha

I don't think that's to much to ask at all. Quite reasonable infact. Some exercise frequently if you have the time helps with sleep, (are you on meds aswell)? Alongside therapy, hopefully you can achieve all those things.

 

[WinnieThePoohChris]

Ptsd cups explanation

Here is the link I think.

 

[Wallflower91]

I don't think that's to much to ask at all. Quite reasonable infact. Some exercise frequently if you have the time helps with sleep, (are you on meds aswell)? Alongside therapy, hopefully you can achieve all those things.

Been doing all kind of things over the years, just not being able to get into deep sleep, also have a sleep disorder (non rem parasomnia) that doesn't help. Got quetiapine and incidently Temazepam to use when I get too tired. I walk around 6 to 8.000 steps a day, other exercise hurts my muscles too much for now, perhaps later. Thanks for your reply