Fatigue After Processing Traumas In Therapy

[BlackbirdSinging]

Sleep is SUPER important for consolidating learning and creating new neural connections AND REALLY REALL...

I think about this this post a lot @Eleanor. And I have to say there have been many times I've come home from therapy and laid down and taken a nap because of what you said in this post. Before I read it I used to ignore how tired I was and push myself through the day. Thank you for this post.

 

[Scandinavgirl]

My therapist and I started processing my traumas. I noticed I dissociate while we talk and proc...

This is just like me a few months ago. I still feel tired and exhausted a while after therapy, but not like before. I am more present in therapy also. We have not worked on "grounding techniques" - I think dissociation can be helpful, it is there for a reason. As I became more aware of my dissociation and worked trough my emotions, allowing them to be there, I became more present. I still work on not disappearing, though. Now it is like I notice when I am about to fall out. Very strange. The short story is: You are not alone!

 

[sun seeker]

Honest question, because I'm confused. How can you process and dissociate at the same time? Aren't they mutually contradictory activities?

 

[Panda Bear]

Oh gosh!

Yes!!!! You will and should be VERY tired! If you're processing trauma, it's no wonder you feel like sleeping. And as posted before me, you really need to take your bodies lead on this.

Last week/and today, I've processed a huge pile of trauma and it's 5:30pm, I can hardly keep my eyes open. Most weeks, I couldn't even complete a thought or speak clearly. If I can rest/nap, it'll only last the day, but early on in my therapy, it would last a few days. I'm much stronger and capable now, so the turn around is far less than before.

As for the dissacosiation? It's not an issue now, I may be foggy and totally out of it, but I'm not check out. Does that make sense? Early on? Yes, it was a problem before my T realized the extent. We ALWASY make sure I'm present before leaving the office.

 

[BlackbirdSinging]

Honest question, because I'm confused. How can you process and dissociate at the same time? Aren't....

What I sometimes experience is while I process traumas I tend to kind of almost go back into the experience. I'm still present with my therapist. But I'll periodically stop talking and kind of zone out and stare at the floor. I start to feel this weird floaty feeling and I can feel myself starting to dissociate. Sometimes I'll tell my therapist and sometimes my therapist notices and starts asking me questions and has me do some grounding. Once I'm more grounded we go back to processing the trauma.

 

[Panda Bear]

@BlackbirdSinging

Yes, that makes sense. My T reminds me that we go in, feel it....talk about it, see it...and when it becomes to much, we stop and back out of it, go to the present and then try again. Sometimes it's pretty fast and we switch gears quickly, especially when I can say out loud that I need help,

So, I get what you're saying.

 

[sun seeker]

Okay, so you're not actually doing both at the same time, you're switching back and forth. That makes sense.

Yes, as others are saying, processing trauma does make a person tired, as well as extra sensitive. You may need to cut back on expectations of yourself for a while. It's hard work. But so worth it.

 

[greenleaf]

Thank you for these posts; I have been feeling exhausted recently too esp. after chunks of processing. I am used to exercise being my main cure-all but it's only partly helping. Maybe exercise but also being sure to get enough sleep! (I don't do that last part so well.)

Exercise helps the brain grown new connections too, though, I thought I read? I wonder what the best combination for this stuff is... But then I'm not sure if I could follow some "best approach" guide when stuff comes up (at least, without practice, like we practice grounding). Maybe try to figure out what one's body wants...

 

[Summer1234]

Mine would last sometimes a week at a time. My dissociative spells were pretty wild though. I couldn'...

Wow I thought I was the only one ... I literally have fallen down out of exhaustion too after trying to work through issues - sometimes two days after the session - or after I have a self realization. At first my dr tested me for heart issues etc. - until we realized the connection ... very scary.

 

[shimmerz]

very scary.

Very scary indeed. I am sorry you have experienced this Summer.