Possibility Of Healing Ptsd Without Therapy?

[Goose]

I was curious if there are any sufferers out there who have successfully delt with their PTSD without therapy? I have no health insurance and a couple of self help books. But I am lost as far as where I should start. Are there any really good self help books out there that outline the process or have good exercises that would be very helpful for a sufferer? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Abstract]

Goose,

Hi. I am sorry you find yourself in such a situation. I am not sure where you are but are there any charities that might be able to help you?

I have definitely done a lot of work on me myself and that has improved my life but I have to say that it could never have replaced what therapy has done for me. The biggest problem I see is to actually process the traumatic experiences which is what we are supposed to do. Personally I would not be able to do that without a therapist.

How able are you to stabilise yourself and how good are your coping skills? If you felt both of these are very good then you could maybe try to process your trauma in a trauma diary on here. If you are stable and have very good coping then you could consider budgeting and having a course of EMDR as it is fairly short. I think the stuff that is peripheral to the actual trauma is much easier to do on ones own.

You can get some less expensive therapy options online as a less ideal but real option.

 

[Resilientbibliophile]

Hello,

First off, understand and appreciate that mine is just one voice, one experience, and that I might be wired very differently than others regarding what I judge a reasoned workload concerning the efficacy of independent application. It would be heartlessly cruel not to disclose as much...

Given my history and relative isolation from the best contemporary iterations of modern psych. care and psychopharmaceutical intervention however construed, I felt (and feel) that I had to do something rather than 'just sit on it'. Therapy (at least to the extent of what I could afford) seemed unsubstantial contrasted to what I could read, whereas psych. meds too frequently left me debilitated for powerful side effects suffered, prompting me to ask myself again and again what constituted quality of life, and specifically who determines such. Not nice, but my frustrations (again - this is just one experience and not necessarily anyone else's) could hardly be contained.

In short, yes - one can facilitate the process of healing for self-care via bibliotherapy. Hazards exist for our cognitions of much, the temptation to place too much emphasis here and not enough emphasis there is an ongoing struggle for anyone in the thrall of PTSD and abusive legacies however constituted or construed. Reading can serve to demystify dynamics that otherwise embody unspeakable terror, whereas all professional one might consult were at one time mere mortal undergraduates charting an uncertain way occupational way forward once upon a time. Some will say that intellectualism embodies a defensive stance of sorts in relation to others aspects of healing that require reclaimation of emotive capacity realized only through human interaction. I don't really doubt this, but the fashioning of a fine shield isn't so bad a near-term end!

While I don't want to roundly discount the worth of professional help, there is something positive to say about embracing the task of understanding PTSD because at core it is ultimately about us and the quality of life we may secure for application. Others can inform and guide us for experience - when they are there, when such professional services can be afforded. But for contrast and consideration also know that outsourcing decision making, imagining that strict estimates afforded to a psych. practitioner as to 'how many sessions will afford sympton allieviation' etc. is still guesswork that often suits the needs of insurance companies first, and the varied needs of vulnerable clients second. If you occupy the gap between care that cannot be afforded or seems inadequate and are voicing words consistent with the intent of learning more with the aim of suffering less - please follow up and demonstrate the assertion that is consistent with a life that is both assertively and creatively led!

Try not to be sucked into the factionalism all about regarding what constitutes what, the strict definitions of so much, what this body or that extolls. Any wide-ranging study reveals that all knowledge concerning psychological trauma has evolved from well-intentioned beginnings of bright people giving their best even as they pursued different and sometimes opposing paths. Egos within the field are LARGE - hence be forewarned! The study of psychology is especially contentious, with rival schools, theorists, conceptions of right intervention, etc. equating to a certain progress - but this revealed, the evolution of the field has hardly been absent internal conflict. Let your attention and inclinations guide you, for there is no one true and right way. Psychology is fascinating stuff to read, whereas many psych. students in our schools are unashamedly embracing what is quietly identified as 'mesearch'; i.e. deconstructing interpersonal and familial legacies that have them or those they love in a twist.

Not God here by any definition, but you could do far worse than to read Bessel van der Kolk's Traumatic Stress: The Effects of Overwhelming Experience on Mind Body and Society, and Judith Hermann's Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence - From Domestic Abuse to Political Terror. Both are fine, both are widely-cited, whereas I err towards academic sources for I don't especially like pop. psych. Please - be well and know that nothing here trivializes what cannot be anything less than a long process of healing.

M.

 

[Deleted member 12723]

I have a really great book that you can do therapy with. It is called the Betrayal Bond by Dr, Patrick Carnes. It has explained so much to me and it has exercises you can do that will help you. I hope you get it. It really opened my eyes to alot of what I did not know before and I have had alot of therapy.


You could call around and see if anyone does therapy on a sliding scale. It really helps out so much and I highly recommend it for you. You need professional help to heal. I wish you the best. I know it is hard on you right now, but if you perservere you will begin to heal.

 

[piratelady]

It is possible to heal on your own. Some people can, some can't. That is actually the premise for this site. It is to help you help yourself. In the book section there are several PTSD books listed as well as reviews.

If therapy is a better option for you, I think Gizmo and Abstract have some great ideas. Look into charities or try to find a therapist that works on a sliding scale.

I wish you the best.

 

[Dissociation]

You may also find some therapist that do it "pro bono".
Good luck!!

 

[safenow]

Use caution in picking a therapist. A good one is worth their weight in gold. A bad one can set you back by years. Just because they use sliding scale doesn't make them good. It depends upon where you are at in your journey. It also depends upon what caused your PTSD. Is it childhood abuse or teen abuse or adult abuse or trauma at any age? natural disaster, or man made? Ever case of PTSD is different even though we all have many things in common.

Not meaning to confuse you. Check out the book section here. They are not really expensive. Start reading and see where you fit in the continuum. I also recommend you start a diary. That's why this site is here. I find it to be a good one so far. Browse around and see what others have to say.

Good luck, and keep working on it.
safenow