2011 Strategy - Ptsd Numbers Have Out Grown Help Itself

[anthony]

There is a real problem these days, in that PTSD, well... the recognition of trauma itself and the fundamental requirement for counselling is simply not available due to demand shortages for specialists in the area. I made myself sick last year at times, I guess worrying about how to improve others with the way numbers are growing. I ended up with the decision for the wiki, which is my highest priority for the next couple of years, as time permits, though I still recognise that PTSD itself is missing a fundamental element... real trauma focused self based learning.

I actually hope to cover a lot of that ground in the coming year or two with the wiki, and then it improves over the following years, but that is years... which is useless to those who suffer now and aren't getting the help, or atleast the basics for a direction to point themselves right away.

So at some point in the next month or two, I want to release some type of basic self help structure to help people find that needed starting point. Its actually not as easy to apply as it may sound, hence why I haven't done it before, due to the sheer complexities between individual trauma, however; the method is still the same at its basic concept.

Up until now, I have relied mainly on those who I first helped over the first few years of this forum, to also pass that knowledge along... which they did, though most have also left as they are much better now than when they got here, and it's counter-productive to remain here after healing, helping others, because it will make you ill over and over reading through others trauma. It is helpful in the recovery process, actually its a requisite, though it's a hindrance near the end of the process, where you have to break away and learn by yourself, you have to put into action what you have learnt.

So... the majority of those I have passed my own knowledge and learning, and also obtained from those people, have now left in a better mindset... problem is, I also am one of those people, who cannot constantly read over and help people one-on-one now, as it's counter-productive to my own daily health. Catch-22 per se.

So I have a theory that I can develop some basic guidelines, some fundamentals, of CBT based therapy, combined with exposure therapy techniques, into the one place.

What does all that mean?

Well... put bluntly, it means to try and condense thousands of pages of knowledge, words, theory, into something more like one or two pages of the absolute essentials for starting to heal trauma and get the process going.

Why a month or two to write one or two pages? Well... the time is about me trying to nut out exactly what should be on them vs. what is not. Lets face facts, the primary issue when PTSD is uncontrolled, unknown, is the ability to retain information, even the want to bother learning in the first place... so giving someone a 10 page document is a waste of time and space when PTSD is first diagnosed, or the decision is first made to actively want to improve your life.

See what comes I guess! I have my fingers and toes crossed...

 

[Blutarg]

I think it's a great idea and I also think you have the tenacity to see it through, so I wish you well with it and I hope it comes to fruition.

 

[anthony]

A one page document will unfortunately seem extremely short, though I do have plans to take a more detailed CBT model online in the future, which is called Interapy (not the website name), being the name given to CBT trauma therapy given online. Some Governments have got computerised CBT models for some types of diagnosis, though nothing exists for PTSD due to its complexity.

I think I will be able to do something with it in the coming years though... an online method of instruction to self CBT help.

 

[Blutarg]

If this is the case for CBT models and seeing how much is beginning to be put into PTSD research, I think your line of thinking will pay off long-term and I really do hope so because many will benefit from it. (But you know that already.)

 

[anthony]

If mental health practitioners stopped being a bunch of sooks when it comes to treating real PTSD via online methods, then some of these geniuses would have already developed it at the professional level, instead of it having to be done by the very people who suffer PTSD.

One thing that really pisses me off about the mental health profession, is that the majority talk a lot, but do very little in the overall scope of the problem occurring. Which in itself is frustrating.

I have never had any type of influx from the mental health industry, saying something like, "Hey, you have captured a major market of PTSD sufferers all in one place, can we use your site to build a robust self help model, or Interapy type approach, and we'll provide the experts for patients to communicate with through the system across the globe!"

That type approach takes PTSD therapy global, into the reach of all the people who are hiding in their homes, all those who can't afford conventional face-to-face therapy, etc etc. With a built-in self rating system, the patients would quickly determine who the good trauma specialists are, and push the less than capable out.

 

[Iron_Angel]

Web-based training is ideal for a situation like this where people need to follow their own lines of interest, and when they have either limited time (because they need to process the info) or limited retention -- they can take it again and again or come back to a bookmarked spot.

Such web-based self-help can also link to various support structures like a wiki, forums, etc. Adding multimedia -- videos, sound files that people can download and play on their mp3 players, etc., and animations to help explain things make it a rich immersive learning environment that can actually help re-program the brain. Add a few NLP (neuro-linguistic programming) touches and you could have a very powerful method of delivering real help to people.

Costs for development of such training are continuing to fall, one can start with a basic module and then grow it as warranted.

This kind of universal online therapy is certainly necessary when you consider the numbers, as Anthony mentioned. What a great idea!

 

[anthony]

NLP is just another off-shoot, taking very small parts of what CBT already encompass. NLP is used for coaching & motivation, not trauma therapy. It has an excellent place within the business world to improve how people communicate. These approaches are already part and parcel of CBT, along with PCT, being the foundation of all therapy methods, and comprise far more detail.

The other problem with NLP is that the name itself is a complete lie, in that NLP does not change or access the persons brain... science has already checked it via neuro-imaging... nothing. It was a cool name to give an off-shoot method. NLP is a motivational tool, and does that well, but not trauma therapy. Another couple trying to make a big name for themselves... and it worked in European countries, but failed every mental, medical and scientific test for any type of neural stimulus activity beyond motivational and self esteem building. Its actually not even a therapy, it is a coaching method.

People need to stick to the right therapy with the right use, and stop trying to cross associate them as a one tool fits all jobs role. Its not how it works. CBT or EMDR would not be used for motivational speaking or communication building, as they are far to complex. NLP would... motivational speaking, team building activities, etc...

The only assimilation science or medicine has so far shown for NLP in relation to actual trauma, is placebo affect, the same as EFT. Placebo is real... but its a minority, ie. from 50 patients suffering cancer, 25 on placebo treatment, one may cure themselves through nothing other than the power of the mind thinking they have the real drug vs. the sugar pill. It does work... but its only placebo effect, nothing significant.

 

[anthony]

The flipside of the coin... if they actually work out how SGB works over the next few years, then all this will become irrelevant, as that will be the solution for everyone with PTSD. The drug is safe... that has been used for decades... requires no proof... but where they are sticking it, how it works, what the long term repercussions could be, any specific damage upon the brain or more importantly, the nervous system, etc... let alone, how it actually works at this point... SGB may just be the answer we've all been looking for!

 

[anthony]

As discussed above, I have completed a draft copy of the single page document of what I feel are the most important aspects of note in relation to performing a self help therapy model in your home, in your time. Whilst I will need to write some further examples to enhance meanings and methods, the idea is that a single document contains the main process for self CBT for PTSD, regardless the trauma endured.

If you have an extremely good knowledge in CBT, ie. you are in the mental health industry / have such qualifications from counsellor upwards, or just excellent knowledge on the subject, and want to help me proof this document to get it live, then send me a PC with your email and I will send you the word version for your review and input, remembering that it must remain as a single page, not one line over.

Let me just say, its been interesting trying to fit primary, important points, with highlights, into one page! I would like to get it across atleast a few peoples eyes for as much input as possible before sending it live in PDF version.

 

[MDDevoe]

As discussed above, I have completed a draft copy of the single page document of what I feel are the most important aspects of note in relation to performing a self help therapy model in your home, in your time. Whilst I will need to write some further examples to enhance meanings and methods, the idea is that a single document contains the main process for self CBT for PTSD, regardless the trauma endured.

If you have an extremely good knowledge in CBT, ie. you are in the mental health industry / have such qualifications from counsellor upwards, or just excellent knowledge on the subject, and want to help me proof this document to get it live, then send me a PC with your email and I will send you the word version for your review and input, remembering that it must remain as a single page, not one line over.

Let me just say, its been interesting trying to fit primary, important points, with highlights, into one page! I would like to get it across atleast a few peoples eyes for as much input as possible before sending it live in PDF version.

I'd like to look at what you have come up with.

 

[anthony]

Document is already live: [DLMURL]https://www.ptsdforum.org/c/threads/ptsd-therapy-one-page-as-simple-as-it-gets.16010/[/DLMURL]

 

[shadowchaser]

My brain is mush after going over all of that. But I agree. It's needed. Put aside the need for alternatives to handle the growing number of sufferers coming forward but also it would create a more gentle starting point. Those who are so traumatized that even walking out the door can bring them to their knees or worse. I could see this giving them the start they need to be able to start getting their lives sorted out.

Kudos Anthony