I've Got A Question...

[Meadowsweet]

Absolutely Abstract, and I think it's sites of real people like this one, that can help educate people to make choices (where they have a choice) in therapy.

I wanted to add though, that as a teenager, my reaction to childhood issues was to be rebelliousness - I stayed out, took a lot of drugs and had no respect for any adult, or what I saw as 'their' world. I was in that frame of mind when someone first suggested that some form of counseling might help.

The way I saw it, was that they thought there was something wrong about me, and just wanted to make me do what they wanted me to do. And my attitude towards therapy stayed like that for many years - I saw therapy as someone telling me that my whole self was 'wrong' and that I needed fixing. It played on my feelings of guilt and feeling that I really was a 'bad' person. So I kicked it away for years, and sought help when I really couldn't manage on my own any more.

I think it's worth noting, that it's not just about the right therapy, it's also about being in the right frame of mind to work with that therapy. My current therapist has often reminded me that she's not there to fix me, I'm there to fix me and I'm in control of doing that.

 

[Abstract]

Meadowsweet, I agree we of course have to be willing to start therapy to get help. I am sure many do what you did and it is understandable in the context of being in pain. And I agree that services such as this site help to provide information for many that helps isolate what is helpful for them and what may be harmful. What they shouldn't have to do is fill in deficits in information about treatment that should be provided in the standard track for help.

That in my opinion doesn't have anything to do with someone not being willing to do the work themselves or about anyone fixing anyone and is merely about therapy being more effectively organised and targeted to peoples needs. If someone has partial amnesia and risks re traumatisation it has nothing to do with their personal commitment or to do with their willingness to get therapy. In fact it is often those that throw themselves in there that are probably most at risk. I know that was the case for me. It's merely about trying to ensure they don't end up with therapy that could further damage them before they get help. Guidelines, treatment protocols and diagnoses are created for exactly that reason. Hopefully @Madhather can let me know if I am taking her thread off course or if this is part of what she wanted to discuss.

 

[Lucycat]

Is PTSD different for those that suffer childhood trauma as opposed to those who suffer adult trauma?

I have sat back from this question as I have such strong feelings and know it is not always a popular opinion.

I believe PTSD is PTSD regardless of cause. By which I mean, for example, a life threatening car accident could potentially cause the same PTSD symptoms to a child or adult survivor.

However I believe that those with 'developmental trauma' will usually be diagnosed with PTSD and...
It is this group that I think should be reclassified as Complex PTSD to incorporate the additional symptoms.

Then I would entirely agree with others who suggest that therapy could and should be better targeted. There is a huge difference between therapy for those with a single incident trauma and those with repeated, complex trauma possibly caused by the ones who are supposed to care for and love you.

A diagnosis of PTSD and DESNOS may mean that therapists look at the PTSD and put everybody in the same boat, giving inappropriate treatment that either does not help, or makes things worse. I believe that if they identified the 2 together ( and calling it CPTSD would do that) would lead to better treatment.

 

[Madhather]

I am very grateful to everyone for sharing your knowledge and opinions here. I am trying to understand the nuances of PTSD and what is the best form of treatment. My trauma began at age four and was repeated in different forms and my different people until I was in my thirties. I have extreme trust issues as one of my abusers was a mental health professional and I fear seeking help. So your knowledge and experience is very valuable to me in building a bridge to treatment.

Again I thank you all!