Inpatient Therapy

[nimkekaa]

I went to a 12 day trauma recovery program. I thought I would die with no contact with my family. It turned out that it was the best thing I ever did for myself. With no outside distractions I was able to focus on my needs and I learned a lot and worked through more stuff in those 12 days then I have in the last 15 years of hourly therapy.

I personally would highly recommend taking the time to work on yourself. Now I found a progam that was perfect for me and lucked out that way. My program had ptsd education, taught me coping strategies and followed up with the importance of self care. I also ended up with one friend that is a great support.

I hope you find what you need for you.

 

[RubyTaco]

Thanks nimkekaa! Glad to hear it worked out so well for you.

 

[Eleanor]

I went to a 12 day trauma recovery program.

Are you comfortable sharing where you went? We are having a heck of a time finding appropriate programs....

 

[nimkekaa]

Ontario so I don't think it will work for you.

 

[RubyTaco]

My therapist called Timberberline Knolls and was very pleased with the answers to the questions she asked. I am planning to go there in a couple of weeks. Nervous and scared, but I know it's the right thing for me to do.

 

[zbztster]

I went to The Meadows (AZ) last year. I did 6 weeks in-patient. It was probably the best six weeks of my ptsd life and I highly recommend it to those suffering trauma and substance abuse issues. If you would like to know more about the place I'd be glad to try and answer any questions you have.

 

[RubyTaco]

Noah - did you ever hear from your friend at TK? I'm leaving to go there on 9/12.

 

[lisamarie]

Wow, good luck to you. I would LOVE to do something like that, but I would have to take time off work and i don't have nearly enough sick time -- not to mention the copays with my insurance per day..... But I've often thought that I would like a break from the world to just focus on ME. You are lucky to be able to go away. I hope it all works out for you!!! :)

 

[RubyTaco]

Thanks so much lisamarie! I am very blessed that I don't work and have a husband who is willing to do whatever it takes to help me. I don't take my situation for granted and thank God everyday. I hope it works too. My therapist said that as long as I get one thing out of it, it is worth it. We shall see.

 

[Nuckingfutz]

The VA says my PTSD diagnosis by the VA is no good because my objective test and subjective bla bla bla dont meet DSM criteria. What can I do?It seems the VA psych is paid to unsubstantiate the diagnosis!!!

 

[Chosen]

Ruby,
my friend just got back from TK. She said it was excellent and that she's improved a lot and feels like a whole new person spiritually and mentally. She said it's a lot of hard work, but it's good. Meeting with therapist 3x/week and psychiatrist 1x/week, groups each day, homework, etc. From what it sounds like, it's a good program.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

What can I do?

Second opinion? Go outside the military? IDK what your options are, but if you had multiple reputable psychiatrists substantiating a PTSD diagnosis, it would be media worthy as this is a hot topic right now. Not saying that anyone with PTSD wants to be in the media.... Rather that you may have some leverage.

And do you mean tests as in those stupid written tests where you sit down and mark the severity of your symptoms on a range from 0 to 10? YUP, they can be inaccurate insomuch as we cannot be completely objective about ourselves and downplay our symptoms. This is why it is so important to sit down and talk to someone. I think one of the criteria is that our functioning is severely impaired. Well, to someone who's functioning has always been severely impaired, it doesn't SEEM severely impaired. KWIM?

I mean, I feel highly functioning until I look at what everyone else does. Then reality sets in and I see that I do far, far less.