Initial Post Therapy Induced "stress"?

[SJP23]

As mentioned in my introduction post, I last saw my Psychiatrist this past Friday. Though I felt somewhat relieved during my session, as soon as I shut my car door (as I left) all I could think to myself was "What the hell? How is this so?" I was awestruck, both in the progress made and the realization as to the issue that had brought me to this point. After arriving home, everything began to settle in.

By the next morning, I found myself drinking (not the norm for me). Stress was near a maximum, and I could not focus on any tasks. Sunday was far worse. Sleep was ever escaping. I lost count of how many times I checked locks and security. Today was Monday—a work day.

I awoke with panic, and little motivation. I awoke with the realization that I had to go out into society, and try to function on a normal plane. Though I was able to distract myself with certain mundane tasks, I continued to find myself zoning out at the most random moments (including my drive). I'm not sure if this has been happening for a while and I am now cognizant; or, if this has simply been exaggerated by my most recent session (for example: severe spelling issues today). I admit that certain behaviors have been around for a while; though I don't think they merit mentioning for the purpose of this post.

For the majority of today, I felt a sense of dread, impending panic attacks, and a sensation of nausea that filled to the brim.

Out of sincere fear for how fast I felt I was spiraling downward, I called my doctor to try and move my appointment from the end of this week. I am heading back in on Wednesday. This alone has brought some calm.

Is this normal (I realize this an ever changing descriptive word)? Does anyone else find that their emotions are tremendously multiplied after a revealing session? If so, can anyone provide insight as to how to assist in calming between appointments? My wife is out of town and I am completely alone at home (aside from my best friend, the dog). I am the only person in my life that has any knowledge of what I am dealing with. Any guidance is greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Ted Moen]

It was normal for me. I learned to keep a notepad for my next session, then when a thought or feeling popped up I would make a note to remind myself to bring it up next session, then once I made the note I would ground myself and return to my current situation. I think physically doing something with the intrusive thoughts and feelings (making a note) helps. In reality, I seldom actually used the notes. By the time the next session came other stuff usually popped up.

Ted

 

[timetorecover]

I had to reply to your post. I am not sure of your situation but this was mine.

I was "Activated" as the hospital told me after my husband explained I was getting worse.
I had been in therapy for about 5 weeks and at groups daily. I was seemingly getting worse. Panics, drinking etc.

It was around that point that I was diagnosed fully and PTSD was one of the labels I had been given.

I felt enlightened with the chance to educate myself on this disorder but so overwhelmed with things that had come up and were still coming up.

The point is that in order to heal, sometimes you need to feel worse before you get better. As they say "Healing Hurts"

Wish you well! :)

 

[Helliepig]

Yes - it's normal! When you break through into a new layer all the stuff that has been trapped there comes bubbling up, sometimes for days. It's partly your brain processing stuff, and partly increased awareness of stuff that was locked away. It's better that it's coming out, even if it's scary and frightening and painful... I've spent many many days feeling like you describe and certainly I would say it's part of the therapy. But when you do sit with stuff and allow it to pass through, it does eventually settle down again and gradually you realise things are starting to change for the better. Pain is the bridge to growth - it really is.

If you think about PTSD being a way in which things too painful to bear at the time are locked away, it is inevitable that you have to feel the stuff as it comes out from its hiding place.

But it helps to remind yourself it is old stuff, and that what you are feeling is just memories that have been frozen in time - stored in the body - and that therapy has to "rewire" your mind, which although painful and sometimes downright weird, is incredibly positive.

 

[EloiseLandau]

Friend of mine describes it as analogous to breaking a poorly healed bone to set it straight.

 

[SJP23]

Thanks for your responses, everyone. I really appreciate the insight. I had another session today, and continue to make progress.

I'm really enjoying the community here.

Best to you all.

 

[anthony]

It is perfectly normal to have heightened symptoms after a therapy session.

 

[SimplyComplex]

I have been in almost 2 years and I still have sessions that make my symptoms worse. Its means we did good work, actually. A couple times it was so destabilizing, I ended up making a second appointment that week to process things. Both times were also because real life issues were triggering my PTSD and I couldn't think reasonable and my symptoms were really bad. That has been really helpful, the option to do that once in a while.

The early phases of therapy were spent doing a lot of coping skills work and we often revisit what I have found helps me and remind me to practice those skills.

The good news is after 21 months of therapy, I can talk about much more serious stuff and get less destabilized. So there has been real progress made