Help: I'm Torn In Trying To Make A Decision.

[Str3ngth]

I have been seeing a therapist now for about two years, on and off due to my crazy schedule and for a while I lost my health insurance, but for the most part I was going every two weeks. She worked on a lot of things with me and thought I was making progress. She gave me reading material, survey-type things to fill out to help narrow down what we should work on, 'homework' activities and so forth.

Because I have known her for a while I became comfortable with her. (I'm not very trusting of other people, especially after what happened, and it is extremely difficult to talk about with anyone) I went back to see her last week, and while I was hoping we could work on a few more things, she informed me that she no longer thinks talk therapy is helping me. She said that what happened to me and the after-effects were so engraved into my brain that simply talking wasn't enough. She referred me to a different therapist who is trained in a different type of therapy that works to change the way that the brain communicates with the other parts of the brain. For example, changing a considerably safe situation from triggering a fight-or-flight "deer in headlights" response to a more 'normal' one.

My therapist informed me she has read about it and thinks it would help me. I, however, am unsure about it. On one hand, I don't think trying it would make me any worse off then I already am. On the other hand, because it is so extremely difficult for me to talk about and to open up to other people i'm hesitant to try. She also added that she would be more then happy to continue seeing me.

If any one has gone through this or has any advice I would love to hear it. Thanks for listening.

Str3ngth

 

[Abrasky]

I found the more in depth therapies that change the way your brain things more long lasting. I got fustrated with cognitive behavior therapy and exposure therapy because at the end of the day my progress would stop and I would go backwards again. I can't speak for others but this is what indepth therapies did for me, I have restored my many relationships, been off antideppressants for 6 years, have reduced my panic attacks by 90%, don't feel numb, have lost about 150 triggers for flashbacks, don't dissassociate much anymore, used to have those panic attacks that went all day without a break and now I have a panic attack I have to think for a second what was that?I'm not recovered, but feeling a lot better these days. PTSD can be very treatable.

In depth therapies can in my experience trigger memories to come back. They can come back into your consiousness. I think that is something you have to be prepared for.

I think psycodynamic therapy is one of them. What psycodynamic therapy does according to a website is bring out things from your subconsious to your conscious so you can deal with them. One of my psycologists also called in the in depth councelling I was doing regrief councelling. It is supposed to be given in tollerable amounts. I had no problems with this for the councellors made sure that the amounts were tollerable. Although the last lot I had was more indepth than what the rest was and it was very close to being intolerable. : ) But I think that was because it was the last bit of the grief.

You could try it. It's worth trying everything to find something that you like.

 

[deer_in_headlights]

Oh Str3ngth,

Definitely, go for it, if you can.. especially if you can continue to see your wonderful and trusted therapist.
She sounds fantastic, and very much has your healing and best interests at heart.
She's not giving up on you, she's opening additional healing avenues to you.

I have been very fortunate to be able to do this, and it really helps.
I think mixing a variety of techniques really enhances and can speed the healing process - it seems to accelerate breakthroughs.

I had similar fears, but it's worked out beautifully.
I've been able to open up to the wonderful trauma therapists found for me, and I respect, love and trust the ones I'm working with.

Good luck in your healing adventure, Str3ngth!
Please keep posting,
With warmest hopes for you,
Deer

 

[kers]

It sounds like your therapist has compassionately admitted that she's unsure how to continue helping you. Different therapies can help a sufferer at different times (for example, the talk therapy she's offering might be more helpful down the road a bit after you've unpacked some of the physiological reactions). Perhaps knowing that you can come back to a relationship with her might make seeing someone else in the short term more palatable?

It's important to remember that while she's made this suggestion, it's up to you whether and when you take the advice. You can talk more with her about your choices before you commit.

 

[Str3ngth]

Thank you all for your input, I very much appreciate it. I will make an updated post once the decision is made and how it goes.

Thanks again :)
Str3ngth

 

[deer_in_headlights]

Good Luck, Str3ngth!

We're here for you, and cheering you on with whatever decision you make!
Warmest wishes,
Deer