Hospital Trauma Therapy Program

[PTSDbegone]

After being wait-listed for months I finally heard from a local hospital today regarding their trauma therapy program. They have had a cancellation and I can attend tomorrow's orientation session. All of the sudden panic has set in. I have so much fear around others finding out what I am going through. I don't want family and friends to know. I guess what I am feeling right now is very exposed is that makes sense. Anyone have any advice about how to get through this tomorrow? I am trying so hard not to cancel. I feel like this program is something I probably need.

 

[Dragonfly-Dawn]

I have been on a wait list as well for trauma therapy groups and I have totally had this fear.

I still do not know how I will handle it when the day comes that I end up having the chance to go.

My best advice @PTSDbegone, would be to at least give it a chance. Go in and see for yourself how it is. You owe it to yourself to at least give it a shot. Maybe it's actually amazing and not as bad as you fear.
Try not to let fear control you, making it so that you don't get the help you deserve. (Easier said than done, I know!)

I know it's not the best advice, but you're in my thoughts and I really hope you don't cancel and that things go smoothly tomorrow!

 

[Dragonfly-Dawn]

I also hope your friends and family are supportive when and if they do find out. Loved ones should be encouraging your recovery and if they are supportive than maybe their reaction to it will actually help you heal more.

 

[PTSDbegone]

Thank you very very much @Dragonfly-Dawn for your response. No longer feeling so crazy here. I really appreciate your kind words. You are right. I have to at least go tomorrow.

 

[PTSDbegone]

I went to the orientation session. The room was packed. I was feeling okay until I saw how many people were there. I just felt so much sadness being in a room with so many suffering from trauma. The orientation was just to provide us with further details regarding their trauma programs. They offer individual therapy, and numerous groups. There are 2 groups I can possibly join. I have an individual therapist so that service isn't needed. What I didn't realize is that there is now a VERY long waitlist to join the groups. That is fine by me since I have other things going on. Only issue I have at the moment is getting the time off of work to attend the group on an ongoing basis. This means I'll have to supply a letter to my boss about the treatment. Yikes.

 

[shimmerz]

I was a part of the Women's College Hospital treatment plan in Toronto. I waited for one to one therapy (which was great) and the hope was that I could participate in group sessions. Unfortunately I was intercepted by a 'new doctor' and she determined that I had Bipolar Disorder (not because I had the symptoms but instead because I had a 'insufficient bonding with SSRIs). When I asked how she could diagnose me with Bipolar when I didn't have any of the symptoms of bipolar, I was assumed to be a problem. It left a bad taste in my mouth and I have withdrawn from any form of therapy at the hospital.

It seemed to me a 'one size fits all' type of therapy. If I didn't fix the way they wanted me to I was no good. I am sharing this, not to scare you off of hospital based therapy (I don't know where you are in Canada) but instead, so that you can walk in with eyes wide open. If things don't 'feel right' please talk to the hospital staff and let them know. You can decide from there what is best for you.

 

[PTSDbegone]

Thank you @shimmerz for your input. It means a lot, and helps me a lot since I am going through the same hospital.

 

[shimmerz]

since I am going through the same hospital.

I thought you might be. There aren't many hospitals in Canada that have trauma centres. Let me know if you need anything @PTSDbegone .

 

[PTSDbegone]

@shimmerz Thank you kindly. I have heard good and bad things about the program. I will just take it one day at a time I guess. I feel as though I've tried everything else, so I don't feel I have much to lose.

 

[shimmerz]

so I don't feel I have much to lose

Agreed, and there is value in the program as well. The good thing is that you can choose what you want to be involved in.

Thinking of you. I would love to hear how it goes for you.