Totally agree. Here's a little ammunition, incase you meet a quack who won't take no for an answer.
I'm not going to knock anyone who says that meds helped them, but, the more trials data I look at, the more convinced I become that SSRI anti depressants and neuroleptic anti psychotic meds, not only don't work for trauma and depression. SSRI is typically within 5% of the sugar pill placebo for both depression and trauma, but can result in up to 10 times the suicidal behaviour. Trials screen out anyone who's suicidal before they start, so that difference is downright scary.
We also have a 20 something year old member here, who is still waiting for their sexual function to return, months after managing to get off an SSRI. Others report feelings like electric shocks in their heads for 7 to 9 months after weaning off the stuff.
One of the arguments used to explain the high placebo effect (typically mid to high thirties percent) is that the trials staff taking an interest in the participants acts like therapy. If that effect is true, it would need to be subtracted from both the placebo and the drug, which would leave the drug helping between minus five and plus five percent of participants... But trashing a great deal higher percentage of peoples sex lives, and ability to connect with others.
Regarding emdr. I have heard of people self administering it, and the very similar (though less empirically trialed) EFT tapping.
Do you have others who experienced similar to you, who you can meet and talk freely with? People who are likely to understand all of the feelings of fear, helplessness, guilt for thoughts, deeds and even for surviving if others didn't.
Judith Herman, in her book trauma and recovery ( the study of trauma has moved on a long way since it was published, but it is still good) writes about people returning from the Vietnam war, to ostracism, and a world where trauma was not recognized, forming "rap groups" where they explored their experiences and their parts in what had happened.
great for the coast and lakes.:)
That's a good two hours drive at least! I once drove to wigton in under an hour, but that's more than 30 years ago. I'd loose my licence if I tried it now.
