Dbt Pe?

[NotApplicable]

So until now i was doing the standart dbt therapy. My therapist asked me now that im not that suicidal if i want to do stage 2 that its Prolonged Exposure therapy for ptsd (DBT PE).
Has anyone tried it? Is it effective?

 

[Virtues]

If done in conjunction with "In Vivo Hierarchy" it is very effective if not it is a giant waste of tears and time. I did all my PE at an inpatient facility so I wasn't able to do the In Vivo portion of the therapy; basically all I did was cry a lot and never really got anywhere. When I got out and started the In Vivo Hierarchy that's when I started to notice a real change for the positive. However, this is just 1 guys experience.

 

[NotApplicable]

Yes its both!
My therapist told me it will be 2,5hrs per week and homework at home. She told me to think about it and will give me more info next time. Im a bit terrified tbh

 

[Virtues]

What part scares you, the PE you're going to be doing with your T, or the In Vivo that you're going to be doing on your own? I will tell you this, it initially feels like things get worse when you start because you are picking at trauma that you've probably repressed for God knows how many years, but after that initial culture shock things start to get better at a very rapid rate; you can really tell the difference. The In Vivo is hard because I don't think to this day I have run out of anxiety provoking situations or places to put myself in, but the same principles apply now as they did back then. I found the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) was a good follow up to PE. It helped even more with dealing with those anxiety provoking situations and places.

 

[NotApplicable]

It's just that i haven't really talked about the trauma to anyone and im not sure how i feel about it. Also im trying to avoid regular exposure therapy, don't know how im going to do with prolonged.
How long does the stage took? And how are your symptoms?

 

[Virtues]

Like I said at first your symptoms are peaked or at least elevated because you're breaking through that avoidance, but after that the symptoms go down remarkably. If you do you homework (I assume you will be making tapes and listening to your tapes on your own?) the IDEA is that you will start to feel relief after the first few times listening to your tape, and you will continue to make tapes as you meet with your T, and the symptoms will continue to go down with each session and with each time you listen to your tape. I was in a wing at an inpatient clinic where "EVERYONE" was treated via PE. There is always the 1 or 2 people that it is ineffective on but the rest of the wing seemed to benefit from it greatly.

 

[Justmehere]

I have done a somatic experiencing based form of PE. It's a little different than what you are doing, but the same general principles. Very helpful for me. Life changing.

If you keep the end goal in mind, it will help to get through it. It's also gradual, or at least should be. It's not like they will be throwing you into the most triggering situation up front.

Also, if it doesn't work for you, remember there are other options out there. Always remember it's your choice and share any and all fears you have with your therapist.