Losing Energy.

[joeygn72]

Hey everyone. I started therapy and haven't stabilized to the point that I can start processing. I go into therapy to do "grounding" and safe place exercises and the next day or two feels like hell.

I start to wonder if I can barely make it through this am I going to be able to live through the processing phase. I know it's just fear but it feels like the fear will kill me. Sometimes it feels like I can't go on with this. Is that normal? I have multiple childhood traumas and I know this will be a long road. I don't feel like I can keep going on with this.

 

[Jane.l]

Yes I think it's normal but horrible . I find it helps to slow your mind right down and not think about the long road and how long it's going to take to get through this - more try and keep to now - ie what do I need right now ?

I think it all becomes too daunting and scary if you look at the big picture - keep it small . You are doing great , you are going to therapy and that's a massive thing in itself .

 

[Justmehere]

Do you work on those skills outside of therapy? Do you find it as destabilizing when doing grounding skills and imagining your safe place outside of therapy?

I have been in many places in my healing process where I never ever thought I would make it to the next phase - or through the whole thing. I found that breaking it down and setting lots of small goals and then celebrating each one has helped me keep going. I never thought I would be as far as I am, and even here I can feel so hopeless at times. My trauma therapist says the hopelessness is an inks trauma feeling that can get stirred up when the brain knows it is beginning to heal. I'm not sure I understand that myself.

I really do believe things will get better. It's like climbing a mountain. Just gotta keep doing it one step at a time.

 

[joeygn72]

Hey Justme.. Yes I practice those techniques. There had only been a couple times where they have not work as well but as far as destabilizing me no that hasn't happened. Theres just times where they are effective more than other times.

Thats a great idea about setting goals for the therapeutic process and I'll explore that more. Sometimes I just get overwhelmed with whats happening now that I can't imagine processing the "negative" memories. When you couple that with the fact that I am sure theres stuff I'm not even aware of I mentally and emotionally flatline.

I do believe things will get better or I wouldn't be going back to therapy I just get pretty hopeless sometimes. Thank you so much for your input.