Overwhelmed And Feeling Broken

[vtap]

Anyone else feel overwhelmed with the work required to overcome trauma? I've had therapy for some time now and keeping up with everything else is proving to be exhausting. I'm studying, working and doing a huge amount of personal work. I have no time for a relationship and I have trouble in this area anyway.

Trauma has made me so emotionally sensitive which is one of the worst parts. Only way I can stay on top of things is by meditating. Even with that I've been losing some discipline recently which has seen me become more distracted at work.

 

[mrsps]

Yes! I find it frustrating how long it takes to work through my trauma with my T. I just want to get it sorted asap but I know its not that easy. It is very emotionally exhausting.
Glad you are able to meditate to help you along the way :)

 

[vtap]

Yes! I find it frustrating how long it takes to work through my trauma with my T. I just want to get it sorted asap but I know its not that easy. It is very emotionally exhausting.
Glad you are able to meditate to help you along the way :)

It is so much work. I have my own formal records of everything that has happened in the past and digging through it all time and time again is exhausting. It is also proving to be very expensive. Best to just focus on improving each day. Set milestones. Have the belief that we can recover completely from this.
However, I can see why this stuff takes people so long to overcome or get anywhere as it takes a lot of dedication on the part of the trauma sufferer.

 

[shimmerz]

Agreed. It was 8 years ago that I started with this. I walked into t-docs office and said 'I am losing a ton of money not being able to work so let's get at this'. Still not working. Still triggery a ton. I think the frustration of the process is triggering me as well as there was a ton of frustration in the trauma. I sit back when I feel I am losing a grip and take a break from therapy. Then I go back when I feel more settled or if I feel like day to day life is catching up with me and work on that - not the trauma. A ton of these healing elements need time to digest...to practice incorporating them. I wonder if you worked on day by day stuff with your T if that would be helpful. Just for a while....
Just a thought

 

[JEKBreatheandBelieve]

Definitely feel overwhelmed with that. When I started therapy a little over a year ago, I though a couple months and I would be good to go. Ha! I couldn't even talk and that was before I started trying to process all of the trauma from earlier in my life. I understand being overwhelmed with all that is going on in life. I work, am raising a family (thankfully with my husband), and am trying to process all the trauma. It has been extremely tiring and there have definitely been times when I have wanted to quit. The only thing that kept me going at work this past spring was the fact that I am a teacher and would have the summer off. I kept telling myself, I would get it together this summer. I would be ready for work with a whole new bag of skills in the fall. Ha, again. Apparently I forgot that processing trauma never works the way you want it to go. You have to go with the flow so to speak.

I am glad you are finding time to meditate and are seeing that help for the most part. It is important to take time for yourself and I know that is hard. Be kind to yourself and when you can take that time to be with just you.

 

[KwanYingirl]

I agree!!! We carry it with us everywhere. I asked my therapist what my prognosis is and he said I'll always have some residue because I have complex PTSD that went untreated til 12 years ago.

Meditation helps, drugs help, talk therapy helps, this forum helps, energy work helps, but a cure? I kind of doubt it

 

[vtap]

Then I go back when I feel more settled or if I feel like day to day life is catching up with me and work on that - not the trauma

Yeah it is important to prioritize. We can't just focus on the trauma all the time there are too many other things to do.

Be kind to yourself

This is one of my problems. I'm currently trying to go from self-hatred / repulsion / shame to acceptance / love of the self. I simply won't ever be able to have a relationship until I resolve this area.[DOUBLEPOST=1406394262,1406394052][/DOUBLEPOST]

complex PTSD that went untreated til 12 years ago.
Meditation helps, drugs help, talk therapy helps, this forum helps, energy work helps,

I have this too. Mine was early childhood trauma. It affects every aspect of my life. In regards to energy work, I'm currently doing some EFT with some positive results!

 

[JEKBreatheandBelieve]

@vtap - I am working on being kind to myself. It might be awhile before I love myself, but I am working on little ways to be kind to myself. Like a trip to the library or quiet reading time or taking a walk. Some way that I can do something I like to do. It wasn't easy for me to even start to do that, but it's getting a bit easier to acknowledge I deserve some kindness from myself as well.

 

[Friday]

I just kind of giggle when I look back:

Was first dx'd by our flight surgeon (psychiatrist, can't even remember how I ended up in his office). 2 days later and we're having a rousing debate about treatment time. He's arguing for 6 months, I'm arguing for 2. At a certain point he just sort of falls back in his chair and starts laughing.

I didn't get it then.

I get it now. 15years later. Yeah, man. I get it. I'm hilarious.

 

[Deleted member 12723]

When I first started therapy, I also thought that in three months I would be on my merry way, NOT.

It does take such a long time to sort through everything and you I admire because you are accomplishing so much. Be proud of this.

It takes as long as it takes and it is so painful and wearying and hard.

I am glad you are posting on the forum. It has helped me so very much.

I have a few new issues coming up so I am returning to therapy for a tune up. There is hope, it does get so much better. Just keep on doing what you are able to do and good for you for trying to self love. This has helped me tremendously. It does get better, I promise you this. Just keep on fighting for you, because you are so worth it.