Assessment Vs Treatment

[Army_Brat_88]

Zipperhead -

I have a question and maybe you have an answer. Now, I'm not coming down or wanting to sound harsh, it's just something I'm wondering about.

I read (primarily on the combat site), how some of the vets say "the therapist doesn't know this, or that...how's that supposed to help...it's not good enough...they stink...I'm not getting this or that....who knows what it's supposed to do...they are clueless..."etc.

It's like sometimes I wonder if vets go INTO it already with the mentality of "this won't help me, I already know". But if YOU guys already KNEW what would help or do the trick, you'd all be counseling each other instead of going to any VA or therapist, right?

But if you go into it saying "I'm going to do what I can, do this with an open mind, do what they say even though it won't x, y or z, because they are the doctor and went to school for this stuff, and not fight it tooth and nail, maybe I'll see at the end of it that they knew what the hell they were talking about"?

Sure, this can go out to ANYONE seeing a therapist. I've never been to one, but I've been given advice from doctors (i.e. "excersise in the mornings is best", and I went "They have no damned idea what they are talking about - I'm doing it my way and excersising at night"), yet when I finally just broke down and did it, I now eat freshly caught crow each morning. I know not all therapists are good, you can say that about everyone in every profession, yet even though the last dentist I went to did my fillings so crappy I filed a claim against her w/my insurance, it didn't prevent me from going to the dentist I have now who I really like.

I'm still glad you're going regardless, I just want you to get the best possible experience out of it, that's all. Hope you don't take offense.

 

[Zipperhead]

Okay Brat, (I liked that, can I call you that?) I see your point. But there is one little problem that most Army Guys have with the therapists. In order to really open up and spill the beans, you have to trust. If they don't understand your lingo, it's hard to inclued them as part of your circle. And if they talk down to you (I'm the Flash light) it's a pretty safe bet that most army guys are going to bolt. Touchy Feely doesn't give army guys a warm fuzzy.

I opened up toward the end. I think she tricked me by making me defend myself. It matters not. The ice is broke and the story is starting to come out. But you are right. It's coming out because I want it to. I don't want the poison in my life anymore. I have already ponied up and I have decided it's time. Allot of guys haven't. I'm afraid I don't have a high enough pay scale to tell you how to fix that.

 

[ClairBear226]

ArmyBrat, I didn't see the same negativity that I think you saw - and I don't go on the Combat PTSD forum (doesn't feel appropriate - I'm not military) so maybe that's why?. But I think trying on a new therapist for size under any circumstances is a huge act of trust. It's not just a "first date", its you putting your welfare into that first date's hands. If you were going on a date with a guy for the first time, you'd probably be saying, "well, he's got a great personality, and he knew what he's doing when he orders wine, but we've really got to do something about that stupid looking shirt." Do you automatically dump him for a tacky shirt? Probably not, but you'd make note of it, just in case he's got 20 more at home. Same idea.

Trying on a new therapist for size would be really scary for me (you have no idea), and doing it midstream - even worse. Good job today, Zip. I know that was hard.

 

[ClairBear226]

(okay, I'll bite. What's ak-ak?)

 

[Army_Brat_88]

Well, if you've decided you want to do what needs to be done, you'll already making progress I believe.

Just looking at things that have happened in my life that have caused me grief or pain, the things I denied and put aside crippled me inside for longer than needed, whereas the things I acknowledged, felt the pain, cried about, yelled about, left me with more peace at a faster rate. Regardless, neither happened overnight though. It was just the decision I made as to how I'd handle those events after they happened.

Won't happen with everyone or anything, so it's not advice to anyone.

Touchy Feely doesn't give army guys a warm fuzzy.

The hell you say!

;)

BRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATTTTTTTTTTTTTT!

 

[LoyalOne]

I ran a therapist down once for being tired, irritating, and half as smart as I am.

She looked at me and said; 'Do you think perhaps you are nitpicking about the delivery of my counsel because it distracts you from the content?'

....

....

um....

:unsure:

yeah...? Dammit.

 

[anthony]

I remember my therapist when I had no idea what PTSD was, or what was going on with me... she was highly experienced for veterans. Knowing military, she just cut the shit and gave it to me all barrels, straight as an arrow. Its what I certainly wanted, the facts, what I had to do, what was coming, how to do it... my own commitment to change. She didn't beat around the bush. The reason she didn't, was because military don't do that well... so I see your point about seeing someone who knows military well, because so much can be accomplished when they cut the shit.

 

[Zipperhead]

My initial assessment was done with a psycologist. She really didn't have to push hard, I was ready and it came out. By the end of the assessment (5 appointments over about a month) I was an emotional wreck and really feeling that maybe it was leading some wheres. It's hard to understand why loosing all self control and respect might be seen as benificial, but I was in a bad place before, and it seemed like progress, so,,,,,,,

Now my new therapist is a Social Worker. Seems a bit demeaning really, but she "specializes" in people with stress injuries, so I guess she is qualified. But she is not pushing at all, and I'm back in my nice comfortable numb place. Anxiety is down, head is empty, ready to take on the world. But I am still irritable, I still isolate, and the flashbacks are still there, so I know there is still work to do. But we're not doing it. Why? Is the social worker a differant technique? Is it helping, and I just can't see it because I'm not an emotional train wreck? Or am I just not trusting her, so I'm not getting anywheres?

You'd think that if the therapist saw something wasn't going to plan that they would bow out and send you to someone else. I don't know if this is working, so I can't say I need the pinch hitter. Is there a plan? Am I just to impatient? I was expecting it to be the same as it was with the psycologist. Maybe that's the problem. Do Social Workers and Psycologists just use differant techniques, and they are both effective? It seems I'm marking time here. No progress forward, but still all the effort. Maybe I'll wake up tomorrow and realise where my mistake is, or I'll just enjoy being numb again. There's something to be said for numb. It's allot easier.​

 

[LoyalOne]

Different therapists definitely use different techniques. And this one might also still be feeling you out somewhat. I would ask the therapist what the plan is, honestly. Express that you are eager to make progress, and would like to know what is on the agenda for your therapy. Your therapist is the person you can not be afraid to ask this stuff right out to. :)

 

[ClairBear226]

Maybe she's trying to establish some trust before she bulldozes into your brain. I know you're a lot more willing to "get the work done" than I ever was (quite comfy with numb until recently, thank you ;)), but remember when I told you what a disaster it was that I got pushed too hard too fast? Any chance that's the kind of reaction she's trying to avoid? Especially if she's not used to the military mindset.

 

[Anna]

Don't give up on the therapy. It sometimes takes time. Time is all there is. My therapist pretty much hit the nail with the hammer after the 4th therapy session. Told me the nightmares were normal. Helped me with coping strategies with the symptoms.

If you feel unhappy in anyway you can always change your therapist. As said above, every therapist has a different strategy.

 

[Srain]

Ask your therapist if they are going to "push" it up a bit. Just a suggestion. After I established trust with mine, who seemed pretty soft and "fuzzy", we got down to business. The trust period was important though for what was to come. :You seem willing to get going so I might get this therapist moving if I were you. .

If you want to get moving forward - just ask. If they aren't going to do it, ask for someone can if and when it gets to that point. It's your time and money.

peace,
Rain