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I think this is very representative of the experience of many folks here. Often once we begin talking about a recent trauma, it's like the floodgates open and other traumas come to the surface, things we thought we resolved long ago but which we only shoved away from awareness. For example, I...

You are dealing with a lot. I commed you for finding a healthy relationship, that is a tremendous accomplishment. The flashbacks must be scary for you and confusing for your partner. You are not so far out from all the abuse, unfortunately, so it is not surprising that you continue to struggle...

To get a diagnosis, you need to see a trained mental health professional, either a therapist or a psychiatrist (many people here see both). Bear in mind that a medical professional may not agree with your self-diagnosis. They will ask you many questions about your history and present suffering...

This was my immediate thought as well. Does your current prescribing doctor have your complete history? I would suggest discussing the possibility of mania before you consider switching meds. I believe some people with underlying bipolar disorder have manic reactions to antidepressants, which is...

I take another SSRI and a very large dosage of Trazodone, since that's what it took to get me to go to sleep. The SSRI helped relieve the depression I had developed so that I could begin to treat the PTSD, and I'm now tapering off of it. I have no plans to ever get off the Trazodone. It has...

You live together, right? Why are you writing her a letter with your concerns instead of talking to her? I understand that it might be a volatile conversation, one that might have to be paused and resumed later as emotions get going.

I'm sorry, this must be awful for you. Why don't you talk to your wife about what you found? At least then you can both get it out there for discussion, although what you found is pretty d*mning. I'm sorry this is happening.

I think most people use 'trauma therapy' to refer to working with a therapist to deal with the many aspects of trauma, and it may include exposure therapy. Exposure therapy can also be done on your own. Some people use the terms interchangeably or differently, though, as they are flexible.

I've not asked my therapist this, but from the way he interacts with me and the things he's said, I think it makes him feel good to connect to people and help them feel better. I think he enjoys the challenge of figuring out how best to do that with each individual. I can tell he's invested in...

The thing is, therapy varies--from therapist to therapist, and from client to client. My therapist has told me that he does therapy with me differently than he does with other people with PTSD, because of my specific issues, personality, etc. The best way to find out what to expect from therapy...

Anger is a reaction to being threatened. We get angry when we need to be protected. It is very good that you feel angry right now, even though it feels overwhelming. Have you discussed with your therapist some safe ways to dissipate some of the anger? I paint, write (angrily) in a journal, and...

Gosh Hope, no wonder you learned to be silent. Those messages have some very powerful threats in them. Children know, instinctively, that they depend on adults for survival. When an adult threatens to go away, a child's complete existence is threatened. Children don't yet know that they other...

I can give an example of this in my own life that might clarify this symptom, Leo. My abuser has not touched me in many years, and I have many adult resources at my disposal now. To an outsider, I am not in danger. However, I think there is still a possibility that he will attack me in the...

My treatment team recommended medication in the beginning. I was very reluctant, but my therapist explained it this way: I am in a locked room, trying to get out. Medication unlocks the door, and therapy teaches me to walk through it. My nervous system was so shot that I couldn't do the work of...

I'm like you, kris, I have IBS issues before every single therapy session. I've been going for YEARS. It's just how my body works out its anxiety, unfortunately. Like you, it has decreased in time, and being able to go and do my therapy work in spite of it its actually a triumphant feeling. My...

blackpearl, are you referring to your earlier question on this thread about the difference of a stressor vs. a trigger? The conversation did veer a bit onto another track, but that is what happens with discussions. It was not, I venture to say, malicious towards you. I am inclined to agree with...

This is how I see it, too. My trauma had nothing to do with sex, but everything to do with being dominated, invaded, and overpowered. No wonder I refuse to be emotionally or physically vulnerable again. It's a generalization of fear that has taken root so deep that until I began learning about...