Does Robert Have Severe PTSD as Expressed?

[CaptainR]

The thing that struck me the most about this was Anthony's observation about the body language. I've been in over 60 therapy sessions now, and still, as many times as we've been through some things, when we begin emotionally charged issues, they ALWAYS produce physical responses. I almost always have to have my eyes closed, and my most common physical manifestation is repetitive pressing of my fingers down with my thumbs. Even when I'm aware of it, the only way to stop it is to powerfully grasp something, or make a fist so hard it hurts. I also tend to fidget and move, fighting that build up of tension, having to release it somehow to keep from jumping up and running from the room... Wasn't sure that was a normal reaction, until I read Anthony's observation. So, that certainly doesn't show up here, for whatever that's worth.

Also, the night of a session and for several days following, I would do anything to be able to say I had a great night's sleep. I am far too skeptical to believe that tapping on me will somehow magically change what all the other strategies can only begin to mitigate. I don't like to judge someone on such a small sample of evidence, but it certainly appears that this is not what it claims to be.

 

[Ursa]

I saw a therapist some time ago that offered the service to teach me this techinique to apply on myself.

Thanks for posting this, I was in doubt and now I know that I don't want to go.

 

[anthony]

Ursa, I am not trying to discredit a technique, but instead what is being posted to YouTube itself. If someone posted this using CBT and I saw the same thing, I would question whether or not the person really has PTSD, or maybe just some anxiety issues. PTSD produces specific physical reactions, which are not listed in the DSM so people can't read the DSM and attempt to distort a physician. Most diagnosis are not completely written, being that their are known factors which help physicians diagnose all mental illness that are not contained within the DSM, or ever will be.

I would always say to try techniques for yourself though... as nobody can outright say something doesn't work unless their is a majority viewpoint from those who have tried it.

 

[alice]

This video is a promotional video, it was made to promote the EFT techniques (which I have used in a limited capacity before and it worked, unfortunately I then had another trauma to exacerbate the ptsd).Its not a cure but alleviation, and better than popping pills.As to whether or not the guy suffers more or less than you is irrellevant.After all, some people become more desensitized than others,and its NOT obvious what they feel.


But as far as the technique is concerned, its worth a try, whether you find low budget marketing offensive or not.

When you see some smily faced model playing a doctor on an internet anti-depressant med ad, do you get offended saying to yourself "he doesn't know it feels!" etc?

I bet you don't.

 

[Dylan]

Hmm...he seems awfully relaxed. I can't say that he didn't experience the trauma he says he did, but it either didn't result in "severe" PTSD or it was transitory trauma symptoms that, while troubling, does not a severe PTSD diagnosis make.

However, I don't think a shaking leg/jittery/restlessness or lack of eye contact necessarily indicates PTSD, as you do, Anthony. When I am more symptomatic, I'm a rigid statue (unless I hear a sudden noise, then I hyper-startle) - not rigid as in just being still, but as in coiled. I've heard it termed "seething watchfulness". In that watchful paranoia, I make such extreme eye contact as to make others very uncomfortable; I'm trying to gauge their danger in relation to myself, gauge/predict their intention.

There may be a wide range of the way we each express symtoms (e.g. your shaking leg, my "statue" state). While I have been known to try and adopt a casual, disinterested attitude as a defense, I don't remember ever being that calm and, well, blobbed out. Could it be possible that after years and years of anxiety/hyper-vigilance/PTSD symptoms, his adrenals are just blown and he's in a constant state of apathy or learned helplessness? Hmm...I just don't know....

-Dylan

 

[Ursa]

Thank you Anthony for your answer, but it is not about the technique by it self.

It is the conjunction of the technique having someone tapping me with this someone being the one therapist that offered this. She could not hold herself to wait until I was finished with a question and interrupted with a comment or another question during the interview. She made me fell like running from her clinic in the middle of the conversation. So I was in doubt about the technique, but just thinking of her tapping me makes me anxious. I would try with someone else, but I am starting a treatment with new therapist and so I am not eager to try another technique.

Sorry if it sounded like I understood the technique is not valid. My feeling is more about the therapist than anything else.

 

[Seeking_Nirvana]

If you want to try EFT for free go to google and type in "Free EFT manual" and you should see a link that I separated so it won't show up here below this message.

In that manual you will get the basics on how to do EFT. I printed the whole 60 pages out but you only need the first 20, which is the introduction and the points that need to be tapped.

I did this and got started on it, and it was working. But I went ahead and bought the book and never read it. I might some day because it may have more info in it that could help. But the manual that I printed of the internet was all I needed.

www.emofree.com/downloadeftmanual.asp

Tammy