Confused With Therapy, Therapist, Diagnosis

[Abby]

I´ve been with my therapist for over a year. I want to say that I tried about 20 therapists or something before her
and I didn´t feel right with ANY one of them before I got to this one.

She is not a trauma therapist, and even though she did diagnose me with trauma a couple of months ago,
I get the feeling that she´s not that experienced with it and PTSD, even though she says she has some experience (e.g. she told me you couldn´t do EMDR for my sort of trauma because you could only do it for single-trauma situations, which I´ve been informed is simply not true).

I don´t even think she thinks of me as a PTSD patient, I think she thinks I have some kind of anxiety disorder or social anxiety, which is true, but it´s so much more than that and it´s all connected to the trauma I´ve experienced.

She´s not a type of therapist that comes out clear and says: You have this and that (diagnosis) and we will treat it like this. She is more a relationship-centered therapist, which is nice and I guess this is why I picked her in the first place, because she was the first that I didn´t feel like a crazy, damaged, pathetic little patient, but like a liked and respected human being with.
But sometimes I don´t know where we´re going with therapy it it often feels too much like a nice "chit-chat" between friends but I´m aware that I need more.

So I haven´t exactly been diagnosed with PTSD (at least not that I know of...)
but from what I´ve read about it, it feels very much like that´s what it is or maybe not a full blown PTSD disorder but definently symptoms of it. I have all of them except flashbacks. A long time when I thought back of this event, I felt totally numb and maybe just a month after or so I thought I was over that and started to "forget"
and become detached. Now, when reminded of the reality of the past, I just get very very confused but as long as I don´t have to talk about it, I don´t have to cry or anything.

The worst part is probably that I don´t feel like "me" anymore and that is so confusing. I don´t feel like a depression or anxiety patient because from what I´ve understood, is that you feel basically sad/depressed or anxious but the way you experience the world and you´re outlook and sense of self isn´t so damaged.

When stumbling over a book on trauma, while still looking for a therapist, this was a kind of revelation for me because at so many points, I could say: Yes, this is exactly how I feel. And I was immensely relieved that
I wasn´t just weird or crazy, but all of my troubles could be trauma related.

I´ve read that it´s important for a therapist for PTSD patient to know what he´s doing, what this is, and so that he can explain the symptoms to the patient and make him/her feel more normal and since we´re never really talking about diagnosises, that´s not happening.

So, basically my question is, if I should get a second opinion from a trauma therapist or do I have to change therapists in order to really get to the root of the problem and get the treatment that I need?

Thank you in advance!

 

[RussH]

I can only speak from my personal experience: I do not have PTSD from physical trauma; mine is from emotional trauma that spanned several years, and my therapist is doing EMDR with me. Hope this helps

 

[Abby]

hey russh, thanks for your reply.

Yes, mine is emotional, too. I guess everyone´s is... Even if you get physically injured it´s the emotional impact of it that gives you PTSD.

 

[InsideAWord]

I start Prolonged Exposure Therapy in the new year, but I don't know if I'm going to do EMDR. I have to talk to my psychiatrist about.

EDIT: I have a therapist and a psychiatrist. They're in separate locations, but they work closely together on my case.

 

[LizardViolet]

I would suggest you look for a trauma therapist. There is no reason you can't stay with the therapist you like as well. I am embarrassed to admit it, but I have two therapists. They both have experience with trauma; one uses hypnosis and body work, and the other is certified in EMDR. It's nice to have someone you can just chat with, but just chatting will probably not give you progress in healing from your trauma. There is also the danger that emotional or physical reactions could come up for you that your non-trauma therapist is not familiar with and not equipped to handle.

 

[Abby]

I would LOVE to have 2 therapist. I think it would be great to have her to feel comfortable with to talk to about other things besides trauma and a specialist, that can be more clinic but experienced that I can work on my trauma with...

Why are you embarrassed about that? Do they know about each other? I don´t think it´s embarrassing at all.

I just somehow doubt that my current therapist would agree to that :/

 

[InsideAWord]

Ask

 

[HelenB]

The best support I had was when I had a counsellor and a separate support worker when I was under the community eating disorder team as I had someone to work through the root issues with and then someone else who was connected with it who was there to offer me support in a more day to day capacity.


Currently I am having trauma therapy with a therapist at home and also ministry from a Christian centre called Ellel ministries, which I go away from home from for a few days every couple of months. I know my therapist said she does not usually find it works when you are having therapy from two places, but has commented on how it is working well in my situation and is complimentary. I think it would depend on the therapist and how you work with it, but definitely think that asking and talking through it would be a good idea.

I would also personally talk through with your therapist what you are feeling about it all and where you feel it is all going. It sounds like it has been hard to find someone who you do trust and feel you can work with and definitely feel that talking through both of your expectations within it would be a sensible plan so that you can make a fully informed decision about the best way for you to go forwards.

God bless
Helen

 

[arfie]

For most of the 70's and 80's I went through more therapists than I care to count, all based on the latest, greatest research and published theories. In the middle to late 80's I was parenting my way to yet another repeat of the family dysfunctions and finally traded in my justifications for the leap of faith required for serious work.

PTSD was not an available diagnosis back then. I cannot remember too many of the names which justified my therapist shuffle. Many of the therapies I championed have been shamed and/or simply forgotten.

But I sincerely believe the therapy was both effective and appreciated once I quit worrying about what to call it and just got down to the hard work of facing my issues and symptoms.

That was me. Hope you find what it is for you, Abby. It is an important question.

 

[Abstract]

Hi Abby!

These are good questions you are asking yourself. I have to say that I would want a trauma therapist even if I was not fully meeting PTSD but was traumatised.

Just some general feedback here.

u could only do it for single-trauma situations

A lot of professionals do actually take that stance although others don't. It seems to be a matter of opinion.

She´s not a type of therapist that comes out clear and says: You have this and that (diagnosis) and we will treat it like this.

Therapists in general don't tend to do this. A psychiatrist is the usual professional to give a diagnoses. Some psychiatrists do too but it is often not something that a general therapist will do.

ay you experience the world and you´re outlook and sense of self isn´t so damaged.

Actually depression can totally change the way someone looks at life and their sense of self in my opinion. Depression can be so bad that the person actually thinks they are dead or they can be catatonic. I have been close to that in the past with depression and when I was not fully symptomatic for PTSD.

´ve read that it´s important for a therapist for PTSD patient to know what he´s doing, what this is, and

I do very much believe this. If you do have PTSD then think of this therapist as having healed some of your trust issues and preparing you for trauma therapy with someone else.

What I suggest is first looking at the criteria for PTSD and Adjustment Disorders (the other main possibility when it comes to life changing experiences). See if there is anything that excludes PTSD such as not having one of the criteria regularly (multiple times a week) or if the incident does not meet the criteria.

There are physical signs (Such as a startle reflex) that a qualified professional will pick up as well such as physiological reactions to reminders of the trauma.

There actually does not have to be flashbacks and things such as graphic visual intrusions, repeated nightmares about the event or sudden intrusive overwhelming emotional states linked to it can also meet the criterion if you are having enough a week. The difference between if an event causes PTSD trauma or not is not if it is life and self changing but if it has been stored in the brain unprocessed and causes re-living symptoms.

Have a look at these and if you have questions or discuss symptoms that fit then I am sure people on here will help you.
[DLMURL]https://www.myptsd.com/c/articles/posttraumatic-stress-disorder.7/[/DLMURL][DLMURL]https://www.myptsd.com/c/articles/adjustment-disorders.4/[/DLMURL] Scroll down to the bottom for the actual criteria. Note that many who have experienced multiple traumatic events will end up with an adjustment disorder rather than PTSD.

In your shoes I would probably first go to a psychiatrist who specialises in trauma and get a diagnoses. I would hold off other decisions until then and take it from there. It does seem that you feel you are not progressing regardless though.

May I ask what symptoms or problems led you to therapy with all the previous therapists?

Adjustment disorders and PTSD were listed under anxiety disorders so technically if you did not fully meet the criteria for PTSD it would have been an anxiety disorder. They are now both listed under trauma and anxiety disorders are now a separate issue.

 

[Hashi]

It sounds like you're guessing a lot about your therapist. I think you need to ask her about the things you're unsure of.

I would have a discussion with her about whether she thinks she can help you, and if so how.

 

[ButterflyBean]

Hi Abby!

This is undoubtedly unconventional treatment, but I actually have three therapists. I have one for EMDR, and two that I see biweekly (someone every week, with EMDR every 6-8 weeks). I even have a double talk therapy session that coincides with EMDR! Traditional? Definitely not, but does it work for me? Yes, and it has for 11 years! So, like the others, my advice is to talk to your current therapist and figure out a treatment plan/approach that meets your unique needs! For instance, I only added EMDR in August, but it's the best thing I did for myself to begin releasing emotions (I was numb for at least two years).

Good luck finding the right treatment approach for the! I've been in counseling since age 14 and been seeing two therapists since the beginning of my journey! I encourage you to explore options, consider your valid feelings, and do what's best for you!

~Holly