Believe Therapy Triggered Nightmares

[Raj]

I returned to the forum after along absence due to extremes flashbacks and nightmares. Tried therapy one therapist switched out after just a few sessions and the next said He had more sympathy for abusers (he was more of a recovering alcoholic and drug counselor guy than PTSD guy) than victims, so I quit going!

Now the cycle of never ending flashbacks and nightmares is full tilt again.

thanks

John

 

[Justmehere]

Hi, glad you are here. Sounds like you have had a rough start at finding the right therapist. :(

It took me 7 very painful tries this last time around before I found a therapist that was the right fit for me. It's really hard to go through - but I encourage you to keep trying. The one way that you can ensure therapy won't help is by quitting therapy all together.

Maybe finding a trauma specialist will help?

Did any of the therapists help teach you any grounding or mindfulness skills? If so, do they help? For me, doing something grounding throughout my day helps me reduce flashbacks a lot. Especially when I do them as a preventative/preemptive measure. I have had no luck in reducing nightmares.

All of it is tough to go through. My heart goes out to you.

 

[Justmehere]

Ps - in light of your thread title, I just wanted to add the thought that in therapy, things often do get worse before they get better. It tends to stir things up. It's part of the process of healing. This is not nessecarily a sign that therapy is a bad idea, but that more grounding and coping skills, along with more support, is needed. Finding a good trauma therapist to work with will help the work in therapy to not be as destabilizing as you have experienced.