It Wasn't As Bad As I Thought It Would Be. (session #1 Prolonged Exposure)

[Paranoid10]

Well Everyone,
Today was my first of 15 sessions of prolonged exposure with my Psychologist. I was anxious about this meeting as I didn't really know what to expect. Last night, my stomach was so upset because of the worry I had about this meeting. It also didn't do well as far as sleep goes either. I eventually took some medicine in order to knock me out.

When I woke up this morning, the feeling lingered along with me just not really wanting to get out of bed. But I got through it and showed up for the appointment.

I had heard several stories about "prolonged exposure", some really good ones and some horrible experiences. So needless to say, I was on edge. But when I found out that today was just a day for "the rationale of prolonged exposure" and a "generalized identification of my most troubling memory", it put my mind at ease.

However, my Psychologist did warn me that session #3 and #4 might get a big ugly. I'm not sure how to respond to this as I have been through EMDR before and that wasn't pleasant either. But I had to consider something today......

1) It is never easy to face one's fears.

2) This program is designed to try to help you get better, not torture you, because of the exposure.

3) I will be exposing myself to someone who is known to me, not some complete stranger, who
has no idea what I'm talking about.

So maybe this will work. I don't know but I can only hope. Respectfully, Paranoid10

 

[Sterre]

You are brave Paranoid!:tup:
Glad to read that is wasnt as bad as you thought it would be.

 

[lifeguard17]

Congrats on keeping the appointment Paranoid! I hope it helps you in the long run, and the short term doesn't hurt too much

 

[Meadowsweet]

That sounds like a great positive attitude you found there. Well done for getting yourself there. Hope it goes really well for you.

 

[Eleanor]

CHEERS for keeping the appointment! HURRAH!

Geek that I am I have read ALOT of the literature - Prolonged Exposure has the best success rate (86% I think) of any PTSD treatment, about half of the 86% are no longer diagnosable as PTSD after treatment, and the other half have major reduction of symptoms - waiting for long term studies that show how much the remainder abate over time and with continued counseling/treatment. What I have heard from guys who have done it (I did a lot of talking to folks around here) is that the best results come from just "diving in" and "hitting it hard." Whatever that means. :alien:

I'm pretty sure you'll be one of the top half.:tup: Go for it!

 

[anthony]

Well done paranoid. PE is a treatment... IMO, the best of all available for PTSD when combined correctly with cognitive and stress management. Having done EMDR already, this is really just another step forward for you. EMDR is an exposure based therapy, just a different type.

You are right... facing your greatest fears are not easy, especially the longer you have feared something, the more engrained within you it becomes. The more real it is, even if known to be irrational. That is tough to beat... but any person who really wants to beat an irrational fear, can do so with hard work.

Well done.