Ywca And The Believe About Ptsd.

[ashdawn8287]

So I met with the therapist at the YWCA today. Anyone who has suffered from childhood sexual abuse or sexual assault should read this.

I told her I was more interested in the research behind trauma and abuse and I appreciated the call back (took them 8 months because I was on a waiting list) than I was about needing support. I have 2 therapist a psychiatrist, I do what the research says. I am okay. Well we got to talking about the effects of trauma and psychological disorders.

I told her about this forum and the most upsetting thing is coming across women who have been sexual abused or assaulted and are just labeled as PTSD. because once they are labeled with PTSD they think that they are stuck and won't ever get better.

She agreed with me completely and said that they do not label in terms of a mental disorder because they have ran into the same issues. Instead they call it something else. I forgot I haven't heard the term before and it is basically just this coalition that calls it this new term. I'll ask her about that term again next time I see her.

She seemed really interested in my career plans and what I plan to do and how I have overcame obstacles. She said I seemed well put together and I think it kind of threw her off a little. I was like well I was on the waiting list for months, I utilize my resources and keep updated on research because I think that is important, and I have dealt with this my whole life.

With this new term there are like 5 stages that people who have suffered from sexual abuse or assault go through. It is kind of like the grieving stages of death (another one of my interests) but different.

Again, the more I learn the more I post, I hope you guys follow and listen. I am trying my hardest to keep people and give advice on here updating with the latest stuff. I don't think a lot of people take me seriously, but I won't stop posting.

So now I really am questioning the difference of PTSD and the effects of childhood trauma and abuse. And that is scary because yeah getting diagnosed with PTSD makes you feel like there is no hope but from my personal experience, years of studying, and the different resources I use I know it is possible to take action and get better.

Thoughts?

 

[ashdawn8287]

Also she gave me a workbook just to look through because I said I was interested in the healing aspects of trauma and childhood and how to help others.

The book is called, "Healing the trauma of Abuse." by Mary Ellen Copeland, M.A., M.S. and Maxine Harris, Ph. D

 

[Deleted member 1860]

I understand that sexual assault and rape victims go through something a bit different, however I don't really know these differences as my abuse was when I was so young. In effect, I think I bypassed a few stages like reconciling the past with the present. (I'm not sure if this is a stage, but I think you get what I'm talking about.)

I also understand that people think PTSD is permanent, but it is in fact, not permanent in that we can heal. This is different than saying there is a cure for PTSD, because there is not.

However, if someone fails to be diagnosed with PTSD, they may not be getting the proper treatment. It is entirely possible for a woman to be raped and experience after effects, but not develop PTSD. Both those who develop PTSD and those who do not may both need treatment, however the treatment may differ.

In addition, I don't think it is helpful to call PTSD as something other than PTSD. If it is in fact PTSD, then people need to face up to the fact that they have PTSD in order to heal. Calling PTSD something else just muddies the waters. I'm not saying that it isn't helpful to develop another framework for healing, or to say that raped and abused women go through different stages, however renaming something just to make people feel better isn't the solution. (We've had that discussion here on the forum before!)

 

[ashdawn8287]

I think it is a practical solution. Agree to disagree ;)

Instead of labeling it as PTSD, when you even said that the effects are a bit different, although similiar they are different so why have one label for 2 things that are different? And treatments and other things you can do would and are different. It's not effective. And it is heartbreaking and frustrating to see women struggling still.

Again, with my busy life it is hard to work around this site and dig through and search for things. This was about the YWCA beliefs is all.

 

[ashdawn8287]

I guess maybe I should talk to educators and professors about this than on this forum as it seems to upset people, which is not what my intentions.

 

[KrispyKreme]

@ashdawn8287 Thank you for sharing the information you learn, I find it really interesting. I agree that being labeled PTSD does make you feel like you are stuck. I developed PTSD from sexual assault and I feel like I will never get over it mainly because of the PTSD.

Solora, I hear your point about not calling it something else when it is really what it is. I do think though to rename it to make someone feel better is okay as long as you are not saying it doesnt exist. It could still bet here but by referring to it with a different name CAN make someone feel more helpful.

Take care of yourselves.

KK

 

[Flyaway]

I like that you're challenging the stigma associated with PTSD! ...and YAHOO for you- finally getting in to counselling! Just curious, how does the two therapists work? Do they know about each other?

I have some very strong thoughts about being labelled etc... My main issue is that all uneducated people see is a problem person, and someone to avoid when I'm struggling the most. They look past the real issue at hand- I (and many other people) are trying to recover from abuse that is so destructive, it effects everything about our lives... We didn't ask for the abuse!!! Or the effects!!! So what gives? Why are we being treated as though we are less important or deserving than people who haven't experienced this degree of trauma.

I really think you might be onto something here... I wonder how many of us would be 'cured' of our flashbacks, nightmares, anxieties, and related symptoms if we got the understanding that we really need? Instead of people putting us into a (PTSD) box, in which they can excuse themselves of all hope and responsibility of us ever getting better. I know I've always surprised my therapists with my progress... No one is a lost cause!

I'm looking forward to more info- thanks Ashdawn :)

 

[naturebaby_85]

Ashdawn,

Very interesting post - would love to read more about these 5 stages you mention, would you know where I could find info on that?

 

[ashdawn8287]

Let me send her an email and I will copy and paste the info.

Yeah I am pretty much on.a mission to help women overcome trauma. My main problem is people who would rather be labeled wrongly because it means they wouldn't have to do the work. Everyone wants a quick fix but that is not the case with sexual abuse.

I am not discrediting ptsd I would like to research this more with help from people with creditinals like this lady I met today. I think every case should be treated individual. Plus with money involved with therapy and doctors its a bit nerve wracking. This program is funded by the government for the empowerment of sexual abuse survivors. They don't care about money they care about getting you better. No shady stuff.

I have seen countless numbers of therapist since I was 14. I have been with my cbt therapist for 2 years. I started EMDR therapy this last year.

I am going to be there for the women. I have not motivation other than that. And digging beneath the media, doctors, health systems and finding out the truth. Then taking that truth and helping because somebody needs to do something and im not the type to suffer in silence.

 

[ashdawn8287]

My cbt therapist, emdr therapist, and the director of stepping stones (the program I joined) threw the ywca all no each other but they can't talk about me. Doesn't surprise me because they are all about the same age and are all victims of sexual abuse. I more or less searched them down then got referred.

 

[naturebaby_85]

Good on you ashdawn!!

Would love to hear more about it.

On a side note - can I ask for your opinion on edmr? And cbt?

Was there one that you found more useful in the actual processing of the childhood sex abuse?

I'm at the stage now where I'm starting to process for the first time the childhood sex abuse via art therapy which is a total different concept, she's an amazing therapist and we're also using CBT but not so much as a tool for the actual processing of the childhood memories,

 

[ashdawn8287]

Psychology was founded by men too. Just makes you think.