News The Four Tiers Of Ptsd Treatment

[therapybankrupt]

So does denial about yourself.

Please elaborate? I am not sure what you mean?

 

[anthony]

Denial is part of PTSD... simple as that.

 

[Don't trip]

Oh I hope what I share doesn't get me booted.

I think this is VERY accurate. May I share why?

I work with survivors of abuse and have for two years now. They are survivors of the most extreme and from the most extreme: personality disorders (psychopaths,narcissists, sociopaths).

One of the things that is so very true, even though survivors do not like to hear it, is the role they have in their recovery, as well as the power of choice. I never suggest that this process is fast, because it is NOT, however, if a survivor truly wants to heal they WILL put in the effort and work hard to get beyond victimization and dependence. This work is not for the faint of heart. I understand this. My struggle is not yet over, in fact, it's increased awareness that brings me here to learn more, to grow more, to gain more insight into myself.


With regards to therapy: The therapeutic relationship, in my opinion, is only as insightful, flexible and intelligent on the therapists part as it is the client who is most forthcoming. The best and most competent therapist on the planet can have a 'failure' with a client who is unwilling to be forthcoming about themselves or to do the work. You can equally have a crappy therapist and have a client who is frustrated because they feel misunderstood or there is a serious lack of connection with an unyielding, inflexible therapist.

It took three therapists before I found one that was right for me. She is a straightforward, NO BS therapist, insightful and intelligent and very flexible. I was also extremely determined. Pain is a great motivator. I've come a long, long way in a year and a half, with a long, long way to go. It has been exhausting work, but so well worth it.

Anthony, I really appreciate your approach. Having said that, I do think there are some, realistically who won't heal or can't for whatever reason. I've seen that too. It's unfortunate, but it does happen. I do believe that some people are so wounded that they never move beyond their pain. I have the most compassion for them, but often finding myself letting go because I can't do more in support. I've also seen survivors leave and move on to live very fulfilling and happy lives.

I'm new to this forum. I'm curious as to where your story is and how this forum was started? Further, I'm curious as to why you continue in this work if you are, in fact, healed?

 

[therapybankrupt]

I know this true about PTSD, I feel that your comment had something to offer more to me personally as I will post the quote again.

So does denial about yourself. Very common in PTSD.

If you have something to teach me here I would love to learn.

 

[anthony]

I'm curious as to where your story is and how this forum was started? Further, I'm curious as to why you continue in this work if you are, in fact, healed?

[DLMURL]https://www.ptsdforum.org/c/pages/help-about-anthony/[/DLMURL]

[DLMURL]https://www.ptsdforum.org/c/pages/help-about-ptsd-forum/[/DLMURL]

And if I didn't have to run it, I would be gone from here completely. I post very little nowadays because I have removed the issues related to my trauma. I still suffer PTSD.... unfortunately I am one of the few percent who this bugs for life, though I don't have nightmares or traumatic memories any more. I have no real issues with crowds, doing things, etc... but extended efforts around people unfortunately just raise symptoms, regardless of traumatic memories being healed.

Healing trauma is one thing... managing PTSD is another. I've got PTSD down to a fine art mostly, keeping it in check quite well... though it is a constant battle with the beast to keep it under control within life. There is nothing here, a therapist, or really myself (other than daily management) can do further to help me.

Again... if I wasn't running this place, I would be gone from here years ago.

If I could like your post a hundred times Don't Trip, I would. Well stated.

 

[Don't trip]

Anthony,

I'm glad the question wasn't too instrusive, as I still run my group, my blog and assist survivors in recovery. I agree with you. I seem to be drawn to it, and as I progress in my healing process, it doesn't feel like being drawn into drama, as much as it feels being drawn to what has evolved into meaning.

I completely understand what you mean about crowds, etc, although you're doing much better from my perception in that way, than I apparently. I am one of the 'highly sensitive' people and am easily over stimulated by people, but I'm also rather introverted and much prefer to write and survivor support, a much needed element that is greatly under treated and uncared for, so I appreciate all your effort here.

My issue is management, having been alerted to the need for more attention to more layers peeling as the recovery cliche goes.

I look forward to reading your links and am very grateful for this site, something I find very well organized and straightforward.

Thanks again.

 

[Don't trip]

Anthony,

Great personal story. LOTS in it about how direct you are. I find that refreshing actually as I am very similar.

In reading your story, I was appreciative of your confidence with regards to your knowledge of PTSD. I respect that.

I have the great knowledge of personality disorders. I don't know EVERYTHING as this is an evolving disorder, just recently coming to more public light, however, after a lifetime of exposure, many hours of research, schooling and working with survivors, I have a lot of knowledge and confidence in this area as well and I mention it often as it is a genuine part of my recovery and also apart of my past life and to a degree, still is with the survivors I work with.

I wish to be mindful of the rules however, so if there are issues with my use of terms familiar and related to personality disorders and/or survivors in general, please let me know. PTSD is a MAJOR issue for those suffering from abuse in general, but especially so with those exposed to the Cluster B of disorders.

I also respect your wish to stick to the DSM version of disorders. Frankly, I'm quite unhappy with the revised version for reasons I won't share here, but it doesn't involve a lot of changes to one of the most dangerous disorders in the bible of mental health, something that is greatly unfortunate, as I'm educating based on much experience, education and knowledge that does not revolve around DSM classifications.

Very interesting story and start to the forum!

 

[zaniara]

it seems when you have a therapist who uses a lot of common sense combined with knowledge about all the therapies above, and who can adapt them to suit each person, with a sufferer who is truly dedicated to putting in a lot of hard self-work, beyond just an hour of therapy per week, the success rate is nearly guaranteed for 95% improvement. The only unknown factor is the time to recover due to the severity.

OH, I'm SO grateful, since I have a therapist fitting that description! I didn't know really how unusual that is(at least in my country) before I started learning more about the different treatments for PTSD. And I WILL and AM doing the hard work. But the severity of traumas in my life makes it take more time than I want to, but I won't give up and now I'm even more grateful than I was before! Thank you! :)

 

[Girl3]

What if the sufferer is so burnt out they don't have the energy or motivation to put in all that hard self-work or don't feel the dedication?.

That feeling of nothingness, that life won't be worth it is part of the depression aspect of PTSD - which is why antidepressants can be useful. Antidepressants won't fix the PTSD, but may help you get enough of you head out of the fog and get going on therapy. There have been times in my life where the only thing keeping me alive was the antidpressant.

Exercise is also helpful for getting energized and accomplishes a number of things including release of endorphins, decreasing stress hormone levels, and giving a sense of accomplishment. It doesn't have to be running marathons or hours at the gym either. Even a brisk 45 minute walk will do a world of good. Or get few aerobics videos from the library and work out at home. Just setting a goal of getting 30 minutes of exercise a day will help you feel stronger and more capable.

I also think people get overwhelmed with the magnitude of their problems when they have long-standing PTSD. It just seems that so much is screwed up that there would be no way to get out of the muck. The beauty of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is that it only tries to fix one small thing at a time and you get to help pick what you're going to fix first. A good therapist will help you figure out where to start, but if you can't afford a therapist there are some good workbooks to help point in the right direction.

I have been in that nowhere to go, life is pointless place in my past. And there are still occasional days where I feel myself slipping in that direction when I have a setback. But I keep at it, keep doing therapy, exercising, and taking good care of my body. I avoid toxic people when I can, I avoid toxins like smoking or drinking to excess, and don't do any illegal drugs. I've learned to confront my issues instead of running away from them literally or with covering things over with drugs and alcohol.

It is definitely more work to do CBT, but it is definitely more productive for me.