Sufferer Last therapy session was jun 26th, 2017 ... i thought i was ready to "leave the nest", "graduate"...

[The Albatross]

For confidentiality... I shifted over to a member's trauma diary - those can be viewed by members only... until I developed rapport with a few members here that I do check in's with either by phone or email. Time and consistency on the forum along with reading the other people's content helps you make better assessments about who people really are and if they may be safe enough or are accurate & consistent with what they are sharing.

Social forums and such I use primarily to support or share general things. Just sayin'. The forum though is very well moderated... and that's a huge plus.

In addition to therapy... peer relationships & education are the second and third prong of recovery. There is a good deal of healing here rather than belly aching, though that fluctuates with the membership activity at times. Welcome!

 

[deeplyloved]

Oh, I wish I could tell you that I have figured out how to thrive. These days, I'm barely getting by. But I'm trying not too isolate and I'm trying to be more honest about how I am feeling with the people who love me. For example, I text with friends everyday and make every effort to have social face to face contact every week (outside of my spouse, children and therapist, I mean). I do something nice for myself after therapy. Ideally, a close friend will meet me for a meal and a walk. I try to spend time every week close to some body of water. Still falling apart but I hope it's in the most productive and healing way possible. Take good care.

 

[EveHarrington]

You see, I'm the perfect example of what NOT to do.

I left therapy in order to get off the therapeutic roller coaster. I was able to stabilize for awhile. Until I suddenly wasn't. I attempted suicide and yes it was a serious attempt that could have killed me. I ended up in the hospital for a number of days in critical care. I didn't have enough support and felt like I was in a free fall. I didn't really care to live anymore.

Whatever you do, don't end up like me. That attempt left me with much damage to my body that is still healing 5 months out.

There is no shame in being in therapy. You may need therapy for life and that's ok!

 

[Deleted member 12723]

For me, I'm slowly learning how to 'ride the waves'...too many lately. Guess I'm in need of some guidance again.

I am also going back into therapy this month for a series of crises in my life and the real need for help. I applaud your efforts and hard work.

Welcome to the forum.:happy::hug:

 

[Kaleidoscope]

Thank you for sharing this Rain :happy:
I admire your honesty and resolve and knowing what you need.
I saw my counselor on the 31st...2 months of 'winging' it. I wanted to apologize to him for 'failing', but didn't have the energy...we went right into what happened...I still react too strongly to triggers. They sneak up on me! I'll think I 'handled' a trigger in a stellar, strong and proactive way and it will come into my dreams, disrupt my sleep. Hate this...
When I have more time, I will write more... I have some questions! Also, I still need to figure out how to post to members only. Only in the Trauma Diaries?

You see, I'm the perfect example of what NOT to do.

I left therapy in order to get off the ther...

Thank you for sharing this EveHarrington. I am so glad that you are still here to write these words to me, words I really needed to hear. I am so sorry that you felt that depth and so grateful that you are receiving good care now. I hope you will continue to heal strong and stay well.
The first night that I woke (from a trigger the day before), my thoughts were of wanting to die. I actually counted in my mind the medications that I have. This scared me, for I didn't know when one's pain causes that dangerous line to be crossed.
I kept a picture in my mind of my oldest grand-daughter, smiling with pride and love as I complimented a picture she had drawn for me in kindergarten.
I have had that very scary thought...and...I worked in an ICU and took care of many people who had attempted to take their lives...it was very humbling for often I was struggling with the same thoughts.
I have had a couple close calls, but no one (and now all of you) knew about it except my therapist.
I will always, always be honest with my counselor...and the day that I really do 'leave the nest', I will continue to be honest with him in my mind, for that keeps me honest and proactive about caring for me.
That is what needs to happen... Care about yourself, as much as you care for the beautiful child smiling up at you and for each person in your life that needs to hear that someone is honest and kind enough and courageous enough to share with someone who desperately needs to hear that they are not alone. You did this for me and many today...

 

[Kaleidoscope]

For confidentiality... I shifted over to a member's trauma diary - those can be viewed by members...

Thank you The Albatross... Still learning about this forum. I am slowly learning how to carefully share with the people in my life. Unfortunately, the people I need most to understand, do not... my husband and children are supportive, but cannot understand why I can't "just get OVER it!"
(I wish I could too!)
I hide it from them as much as I can. I give them smiles and my focus stays on them. (This is how I coped in childhood...it's fairly easy, but it takes so much energy!...)
And I've started reading Peter LeVine's newest book plus one of Pete Walker's.

Oh, I wish I could tell you that I have figured out how to thrive. These days, I'm barely getting b...

Hello Deeply loved... Love your way of walking through this... remember that you are deeply loved while you go through these tough spots in life. My hope is that all of us can find answers on 'how to thrive' from each other, from our counselors, from thoughts we hear or read...
I too try to text every day to someone who is struggling, to friends I know will bring a laugh/smile, Facetime with grandchildren, I have a neighbor who calls regularly for a walk... My frustration is that I SHOULD be thriving! And then I mount up, and say to myself, "I will persevere! I will not stop." And more realistically, I will 'thrive in precious moments'...maybe that is all that I will find for a while. For now, that will be enough.
I love water too...

 

[Deleted member 8714]

I returned to therapy this last month because I was triggered by my dog's death. This was the third time in the last seven years that I had to return to therapy due to a death. I'm a ritual abuse survivor and therefore death of any kind triggers me. It took me awhile this time to admit I needed to go back to therapy. I wished I could do it on my own. That didn't work. It never worked.

My husband, for the first time in his life, does know what I'm going through. While I don't share the details of what occurred, he knows my healing is for the long haul. He used to say the same thing your husband did @Kaleidoscope , "why can't I just get over it," until I read him a paper about PTSD. Since then hubby hasn't said a word about his major complaint.

I hear you about "should be thriving." I do for a bit. I've been in therapy for 25 plus years on and off since age 25 and have gained loads of healing. And it looks as if I'll be in therapy again and again because of my major trigger.