Fear of repeating past

[BuildingSelf24]

I try to tell myself that the past wont repeat again but I don’t really believe it. I think it could repeat again because of the dissociation or overwhelming emotions and impulses. It’s common for trauma survivors to repeat the trauma and I fear that I will again.

 

[Dr. Catalyst]

I try to tell myself that the past wont repeat again but I don’t really believe it. I think it could repeat again because of the dissociation or overwhelming emotions and impulses. It’s common for trauma survivors to repeat the trauma and I fear that I will again.

It's understandable that after experiencing trauma, the fear of it happening again can be overwhelming. Your concerns about dissociation, overwhelming emotions, and impulses leading to a potential reoccurrence of trauma are valid and common among survivors. It's important to acknowledge these fears while also working towards challenging and reframing them.

When you tell yourself that the past won't repeat again, but struggle to believe it, a helpful approach could involve examining the evidence for and against this belief. For example, what are some factors or resources currently in place that could prevent a repetition of the past trauma? Additionally, reflecting on your growth, coping skills, and support system that have developed since the trauma can help reinforce a sense of resilience and progress.

Considering the cycles of trauma and reenactment that some survivors experience, it can be beneficial to explore how your self-awareness and willingness to seek support distinguish you from repeating past patterns. Reflecting on the ways in which you have already broken certain cycles or made positive changes in your life can provide a foundation for building confidence in your ability to prevent a reoccurrence.

By recognizing the steps you have taken to prioritize your healing and well-being, you can gradually shift from a place of fear to a place of empowerment. How do you feel about starting to challenge these beliefs and exploring your resilience and progress in navigating post-traumatic growth?

 

[BuildingSelf24]

That’s true. I’ve already recognized the things that have been an issue in the past. I can identify them and I do have techniques to help. I think I’m just concerned about the aspects that I don’t have a complete handle on yet like the constant fear causing me to not be able to think completely or falling asleep.

 

[Dr. Catalyst]

That’s true. I’ve already recognized the things that have been an issue in the past. I can identify them and I do have techniques to help. I think I’m just concerned about the aspects that I don’t have a complete handle on yet like the constant fear causing me to not be able to think completely or falling asleep.

It's great to hear that you have been able to recognize the areas that have been challenging for you in the past and have developed techniques to support yourself. Acknowledging the progress you have made in managing these challenges is a significant achievement.

It's completely understandable to have concerns about the aspects that still feel overwhelming or out of your control, such as the constant fear impacting your ability to think clearly or interfering with your sleep. When fear becomes overwhelming, it can indeed affect various areas of daily functioning, making it difficult to focus, make decisions, or rest peacefully.

Given the impact of fear on your cognitive functioning and sleep patterns, it may be beneficial to explore additional strategies to manage these symptoms. Have you considered incorporating relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing exercises or progressive muscle relaxation, to help reduce anxiety and promote better sleep? These techniques can be effective in calming the nervous system and creating a sense of relaxation before bedtime.

Moreover, addressing the underlying fear that contributes to these cognitive and sleep disturbances is crucial. Exploring the roots of your fears and working through them with the support of a therapist or through self-reflection can be a valuable step in alleviating their intensity. How do you feel about trying relaxation exercises to soothe anxiety and improve sleep, as well as delving deeper into the core fears that may be impacting your cognitive clarity and nighttime rest?

 

[BuildingSelf24]

Those body focused techniques don’t really work. I just get tense immediately after or even during them. I think I would need to combat the fears.

 

[Dr. Catalyst]

Those body focused techniques don’t really work. I just get tense immediately after or even during them. I think I would need to combat the fears.

It's important to recognize when certain techniques may not be as effective for you and to adapt your approach accordingly. If body-focused relaxation techniques lead to increased tension or discomfort, it's understandable that you may feel the need to address your fears more directly.

Combatting fears can be a challenging but empowering process. One approach could involve gradually exposing yourself to situations or thoughts that trigger fear, while practicing healthy coping strategies to manage the anxiety that arises. This technique, known as gradual exposure or desensitization, can help you build resilience and reduce the intensity of your fears over time.

It may also be helpful to explore the underlying beliefs and thoughts perpetuating your fears. By identifying and challenging these negative thought patterns through cognitive restructuring, you can start reshaping your mindset and developing more adaptive ways of thinking about potential triggers or threats.

In addition, seeking support from a therapist who specializes in trauma-focused therapies, such as Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), could provide you with valuable tools and guidance in addressing your fears and processing past trauma in a safe and structured manner. Therapy can offer a supportive environment to explore your fears, develop coping strategies, and work towards reclaiming a sense of safety and control.

How do you feel about exploring gradual exposure, cognitive restructuring, or seeking support from a trauma-focused therapist to address your fears more directly and work towards overcoming their grip on your well-being?

 

[BuildingSelf24]

I think it sounds appropriate. It’s just that I don’t want to get so triggered that it becomes harder to function.

What exactly is EMDR? I keep hearing about it but I’m not unsure how it really helps with trauma.

 

[Dr. Catalyst]

I think it sounds appropriate. It’s just that I don’t want to get so triggered that it becomes harder to function.

What exactly is EMDR? I keep hearing about it but I’m not unsure how it really helps with trauma.

EMDR, which stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a psychotherapy approach specifically designed to help individuals process traumatic memories and associated distressing emotions, beliefs, and physical sensations. EMDR is based on the idea that traumatic experiences can get "stuck" or improperly stored in the brain, leading to ongoing distress and symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, and anxiety.

During an EMDR session, the therapist guides the individual through a series of bilateral stimulations, which can involve the individual's eye movements, taps or tones, to stimulate both sides of the brain. This bilateral stimulation aims to facilitate the reprocessing of traumatic memories, allowing the individual to make new associations, insights, and adaptive connections to these experiences.

Through the process of EMDR, individuals are encouraged to bring up distressing memories, sensations, or beliefs while simultaneously focusing on the bilateral stimulation. This dual attention allows the individual to access and reprocess traumatic memories in a safe and controlled manner, enabling the brain to integrate the memory more adaptively, reduce distress, and promote healing.

EMDR can help individuals shift from feeling overwhelmed and distressed by traumatic memories to feeling more empowered, desensitized, and capable of coping with their past experiences. It is a structured and evidence-based therapy that has been shown to be effective in treating various forms of trauma, including PTSD, complex trauma, and other trauma-related disorders.

Considering your concerns about avoiding triggering experiences that may complicate your ability to function, it's important to discuss these apprehensions with a trained EMDR therapist. Together, you can establish a collaborative treatment plan that respects your boundaries, prioritizes your safety, and supports your gradual healing process. How do you feel about exploring EMDR further and discussing your concerns with a therapist to ensure that your treatment remains manageable and beneficial for you?

 

[BuildingSelf24]

I’m a bit skeptical about it. I don’t see how the tapping could help me reprocess. If it was that easy, wouldn’t just multitasking help with my symptoms?

 

[Dr. Catalyst]

I’m a bit skeptical about it. I don’t see how the tapping could help me reprocess. If it was that easy, wouldn’t just multitasking help with my symptoms?

It's completely understandable to approach new therapies with some skepticism, especially when the mechanisms may seem unconventional or unclear at first glance. The concept of EMDR and its use of bilateral stimulation, such as tapping, may indeed seem puzzling at first, but its effectiveness lies in the way it engages the brain's natural processing capacities to facilitate healing and adaptive integration of traumatic memories.

Unlike multitasking, where attention is divided between different tasks, EMDR focuses on creating dual attention by guiding your focus back and forth between the traumatic memory or distressing material and the external bilateral stimulation. This dual attention is thought to help stimulate the brain's innate capacity for processing information, enabling you to access, reprocess, and integrate traumatic memories more effectively.

The bilateral stimulation used in EMDR is not meant to distract you or occupy your mind with multiple tasks; instead, it aims to assist you in maintaining a connection with the distressing memory while simultaneously engaging in a particular form of rhythmic bilateral stimulation. This process can facilitate the brain's ability to process and reframe the traumatic memory in a way that promotes resolution, emotional regulation, and integration of the experience.

While EMDR may not be a quick or effortless solution, it is grounded in evidence-based practices and has shown significant benefits for many individuals struggling with trauma-related symptoms. It is essential to approach EMDR with an open mind and discuss any doubts or reservations you may have with a qualified EMDR therapist who can provide more insight into the therapeutic process and address your concerns.

How do you feel about exploring EMDR further with a therapist who can offer you a deeper understanding of how the bilateral stimulation works and its potential benefits in helping you reprocess traumatic memories and alleviate your symptoms?

 

[BuildingSelf24]

Well, it might be something to try. I’ll consider it. But my main focus would be on a trauma-informed therapist if they specialize in EMDR too. Then that’s a bonus.

 

[Dr. Catalyst]

Well, it might be something to try. I’ll consider it. But my main focus would be on a trauma-informed therapist if they specialize in EMDR too. Then that’s a bonus.

It's great to hear that you are open to considering EMDR as a potential tool in your therapeutic journey. Prioritizing a trauma-informed therapist who specializes in EMDR can indeed be a valuable combination, as they can offer you a comprehensive approach that integrates trauma-informed care principles with evidence-based trauma therapies.

A trauma-informed therapist is trained to understand the impact of trauma on individuals and how it can manifest in various ways, including emotional dysregulation, hypervigilance, avoidance behaviors, and difficulty in trusting others. By working with a therapist who approaches your care through a trauma-informed lens, you can feel more supported, validated, and understood in your healing process.

When seeking a therapist who specializes in EMDR, it's essential to inquire about their training, experience, and approach to using EMDR in trauma treatment. A skilled EMDR therapist will conduct a thorough assessment, create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs, and guide you through the reprocessing of traumatic memories in a safe and structured manner.

By combining trauma-informed care with EMDR therapy, you can benefit from a holistic approach that addresses both the underlying impact of trauma on your well-being and the targeted intervention of EMDR to help you process and integrate distressing memories effectively.

Are you considering reaching out to potential therapists who are trauma-informed and specialize in EMDR to discuss your needs and treatment goals, as well as to determine the best fit for your therapeutic journey moving forward?