Measuring Traumatic Events, Which Trauma Is Worse?

[Sterre]

After a few days of thinking it over, I found a better description of what I was trying to say.

What I found out, during the introduction day, is that the people in the group were very much inhibited in their emotions, where I can be very explosive in my emotions.

My frustration and anger are very much on the surface, and it doesnt take much to get them out. The therapeutic focus in the group, seemed more like trying to get these emotions to the surface within the clients, instead of supressing/deniying them.

The therapeutic interventions, where focussed on awareness of emtions of fear, anger and sadness. Wich in my case would be counterproductive, because I am aware of them all the time, and need to regulate these emotions, and gaining some control over them.
So it feels like a different emotional position, than most of the people in the group.

Where the dynamics of the group is in provocing their emotions, instead of supressing them, lies my focus more on getting some control over my emotions and learning to regulate them.
Same outcome, different approach.

Therefor I thought the problems of the other people was quitte different than mine, and that I would feel like a caveman in a civilliced group.

That was what I acctually wanted to describe, hope this makes it more clear, and less offensive to other people.

 

[intothelight]

This group therapy was based on the Davanloo method.

Sterre,

I don't know much about this method of psychotherapy, but that is where I would start. Talk with the group leader and see what the methods and goals are and see if they are compatible with your own. The program sounds fairly intensive since it is scheduled for three days a week. That is a lot of time to put in on your part and you need to make sure that it is something that will be effective.

It isn't really a matter of worrying about the whether your traumas are more than someone else's. Whether or not you "shock or scare" people is their problem, not yours. In a group environment, there are going to be those who's personal experiences vary greatly as will the effect those experiences have on their lives.

See what the program is about and then make the decision based on what it could do to help you. If it is worthwhile for you, then pursue it.

Just my .02

Deb

 

[Hashi]

I think talking to the group leader would be the best thing to do.

It might be worth considering that explosiveness and anger don't necessarily mean you're fully in touch with your feelings. Behind my own anger and frustration is a lot of fear, pain and feelings of betrayal that are difficult for me to look at and process. Street fighters are known for reacting and protecting themselves more than for opening up to their feelings. I'm not saying this is the case with you, I couldn't know that, I'm just saying this is how it is for me and possibly others.

I don't know the therapy the group is following, but is it possible that in the case of people with blocked feelings there's a process of uncovering them, and in the case of explosive feelings there's a process of understanding, expressing and working with them in a more healing way?

If you had some sort of referral or assessment to participate, then there must have been some reason for thinking it would help - was this discussed with you?

I don't know whether it would be helpful to you or not, I'm just suggesting exploring that with an open mind.

At the same time, my understanding of group therapy is that the relationship and empathy between group members plays a big factor, so if you're feeling very different from the rest of the group that could be too big a barrier to anything. I think it would help to discuss that with the group leader and also perhaps with the group itself.