Panic Attacks Are A Good Thing?!?

[angel2write]

So on Wednesday, the therapist person says to me, "It's actually a good thing that you're having more panic attacks. As long as you can keep breathing and don't need to go to the hospital, it means we're making progress."

Eh? :O_o:

 

[Abbi]

I don't know, maybe your T sees this as greater agitation as you are approaching core issues. It feels like crap, but I would be thankful I had a T that didn't back off when things get unpleasant.

Hey, or maybe you just are lucky enough to have found a sadist for a T? [just kidding, warped humor, sorry] I think its probably the former not the later.

I think there are so many T's out there trying to deal with PTSD without the proper skill set that we scare them and the moment things get "more uncomfortable" they back off because I am not sure they know how to deal with it.

Your doing it, your still surviving, your still posting so all is at least fairly functional. Sounds like your T has a plan no harm in asking them the larger scheme of things or how he defines progress. Information always made me more comfortable.

 

[Reclusive]

Well, and it's also a sign that your pushing yourself and testing your boundaries instead of staying in safe little hidey-hole like I'm doing. So it's almost like growing pains, maybe?

 

[angel2write]

(picturing reclusive's little fox in a hidey-hole and smiling)

She says it's good because it means I'm doing lots of good work (crying and screaming is good work? Coming from a family culture where I was threatened with beatings or locked in my room for crying even when pets died, I'm having trouble getting used to this perspective.)

She also says it's a sign I'm getting lots of "emotions out." That seems so dangerous to me. I started counseling because I was having trouble controlling my emotions. It's freaky having this person encouraging me to cry and saying things like, "It's not a happy memory- it's not supposed to feel good."

She says eventually she's hoping I'm going to be feeling some intense rage. I'm not sure I'm up for that. Couldn't we just go get ice cream instead? Look at baby ducks? Have a few laughs?

 

[Tosh]

hmmm....So if my symptoms are getting worse that could be seen as progress? I was contemplating if therapy is really helping me or not because my symptoms are getting worse. That is very interesting, thanks for sharing.

 

[angel2write]

hmmm....So if my symptoms are getting worse that could be seen as progress? I was contemplating if therapy is really helping me or not because my symptoms are getting worse. That is very interesting, thanks for sharing.

Yeah- Anthony warns about that all the time. SYMPTOMS WILL GET WORSE as you begin working on this stuff. So brace yourself, work on coping strategies, and take breaks when you need to.

Love your avatar, by the way!

 

[Reclusive]

Absolutely - symptoms will get worse. We tend to compartmentalize and bury things when we can't handle them, which is a good stop gap in most cases, but they're always going to be there and the only way to get rid of them is to unpack them and deal with them. And dealing with them sucks SO much. Kinda like chores. I hate mopping, but when I'm done, I have a clean kitchen floor.

 

[KP the nut]

Symptoms do get worse, we have had them hidden for so long, trying to keep them in a box which is threatening to explode it is so full.

Luckily a good trauma T (and mine is) can guide us through the process of opening the box and giving techniques and the opportunity to work on issues which develop. That has to hurt, to work on something, pick into tiny details, dissect how we feel until we can manage the stress to comfortable level.

I firmly believe that I will reach that comfortable level, I will be able to look at my trauma and think, it is a memory, I am safe, it cannot harm me ever again. Until that moment, I look at my progress so far and keep trying to be kind to myself.

 

[Adrienne12]

I'm with you on the icecream angel. I wish therapy involved walks in the park and feeding the ducks. For me, the panic attacks are the worst part of the PTSD. They are brutal. And no matter how many you have, you think you would be used to it. Nope. Every time....you swear you are definitely dying. I am sending you big hugs. I hope they pass soon.

 

[Tosh]

SYMPTOMS WILL GET WORSE as you begin working on this stuff. So brace yourself, work on coping strategies, and take breaks when you need to.

Absolutely - symptoms will get worse. We tend to compartmentalize and bury things when we can't handle them, which is a good stop gap in most cases, but they're always going to be there and the only way to get rid of them is to unpack them and deal with them. And dealing with them sucks SO much.

Thanks so much for sharing! It definatley gives me hope that even though we may feel worse, we are really getting better! That makes sense. I've only talked about a few grains of sand in my sandbox. I have a whole lot more to go. My anxiety just kicked in, so I'm gonna stop now. ((((Hugs))))

 

[Reclusive]

Try asking your t if you can have sessions in the park and feed the ducks. I know a lot of ts are actually willing to do this, so it's worth asking.

 

[Tinyflame]

Try asking your t if you can have sessions in the park and feed the ducks. I know a lot of ts are actually willing to do this, so it's worth asking.

I don't know how that would help one to feel 'rage' but it sure would be easier to talk. :)