Preparation For Trauma Therapy

[allitherapy]

I could never stress enough that if any person doesn't have this, you can't imagine the injustice you are doing for yourself without it, regardless how good you think you have it with a therapist... if you have severe or complex PTSD, then you are doing yourself an injustice without that essential mix required from trauma specialists.

My therapist NEVER pushes me. She leaves it up to me to decide which aspects of the trauma I want to discuss, what I want to dig deeper into. She doesn't push me because she doesn't have to because I know very well what I need to talk about and do to get well. She has told me that other patients do need a lot of pushing, but that I just don't need it. So, like I said before, there is no be all to end all of trauma therapy, or any therapy, for that matter. Good therapy should be based on the patients needs and that is exactly what my therapist does for me.

I think the most important way to prepare for trauma therapy is to know yourself, know what you are striving to accomplish, and make sure you are with a therapist that works well with you and can guide you along that path. If you are a person who needs pushing, find someone who will push you. If you are like me and know very well what you need to accomplish, find someone who can help guide you through that process appropriately. Find what will work best for your unique personality, trauma, current situation, and needs.

 

[Iam]

I could never stress enough that if any person doesn't have this, you can't imagine the injustice you are doing for yourself without it, regardless how good you think you have it with a therapist... if you have severe or complex PTSD, then you are doing yourself an injustice without that essential mix required from trauma specialists.

I agree Anthony, which is exactly why my primary T and I decided that I needed to go to a trauma specialist. I still see my primary T every week as it helps me process the strong emotions of the trauma therapy and incorrect thinking patterns. I do CBT with him and EMDR with the Trauma T.

The mix must be right... constantly balanced, push, retract, push, retract, rest, push, etc...

Again right on target. The intensity of the trauma therapy is exhausting. At times I find that I need to take a step back to process, rest and build up reserves for the next "battle". And that is exactly what it feels like, a battle. Fortunately both my Ts are very well aware of when I need to back off, of course I do make it pretty clear that I am at the overflow point (using the cup analogy ;o)

During those times we talk out what we have been working on. Correct any thinking errors (which really is a constant battle) and make coping skills a primary focus again.

Trauma therapy is not for the weak, that is for sure.

 

[anthony]

Allitherapy, can you tell me what your trauma is please, as you haven't really talked about it at all anywhere on this site, but instead have been responding to others trauma as though you understand the complexities of multiple trauma. You have mentioned sexual abuse... you are extremely young, so I am interested to know the severity of your PTSD vs. what is being discussed here! Have you been sexually abused since childhood, or once, etc?

You seem to be referencing more lower severity of PTSD compared to what is being said in the statements here regarding severe and complex spectrums.

 

[kers]

Alli, my therapy is similar to yours. My therapist has often said, "You've been pushed to do what other people wanted often enough. You have to decide, now." He presents approaches--like prolonged exposure, or working through the physiological arousal, or going into cognitive distortions--but I decide if I want to do the work each meeting and when I've had enough and want to stop, for a moment or for the rest of the session. My progress has been slow but steady and I am much improved. This approach works for me because of my particular traumas, I think, and maybe also because I am willing to push myself. So as you say, I think the needs of people can vary in treatment.

 

[anthony]

I think the needs of people can vary in treatment.

They absolutely do... and the severity of symptoms has a lot to do with it as well as the nature of the trauma.

 

[allitherapy]

Anthony, I am not sure why my age would detract from my knowledge of psychology. I grew up in a very unstable home where I was physically and emotionally abused by both parents. I was sexually abused by another close family member and other people who came into my home regularly. I was raped hundreds, if not thousands of times as a child/teenager. I had 3 abortions as a result. I was also raped and attacked at knifepoint a few years ago. I am studying to become a physician. I did undergraduate research on trauma, specifically effects of long term child abuse. I put myself through college and now medical school. I do understand the complexities of multiple traumas as I have not only suffered them, but studied the topic at great length. I'm not going to get into details of my traumas here, but feel free to PM me if you'd like to know more. I do have severe PTSD, but I don't allow it to control my life, instead I work very hard to control it so I am able to lead the life I want as best as I can.

 

[anthony]

Its seems a simple question has offended you, and am unsure why! What medical are you studying?

I also am curious as to how you pieced "you are very young" with a response about your age in association with psychology. Please do define!

 

[Iam]

From what I have read on PTSD and learned from other survivors Alli, is that controlling our symptoms is something we will always have to work hard at. I did for years (not knowing I had PTSD) and was very successful at it, career, family and other relationships. Then I was badly triggered, the final straw I guess and things spun out of control. I wish I had had the therapy, knowledge and coping skills I have now. Maybe I could have prevented the tail spin if I had.

Persisting thru trauma therapy is a choice and takes determination. That being said, is it not far better for a person going thru it to have a safe, stable environment? To work towards that before starting to work on their traumas? From the success statistics available and what you have shared, I sincerely doubt that many survivors of multiple traumas are as strong as you are. I am so glad you have that inner strength. I doubt that you could have survived the horrors you described if you didn't. KUDOS!

 

[allitherapy]

I don't like it that you've decided my PTSD isn't complex or severe, when I said it was. I know myself and I know my level of distress and suffering, and please believe me when I say it is high! I'm not offended by your questions though.I don't feel comfortable posting too many details here where it is searchable for all the world to see. There are more details in my diary, or PM me if you want to know more.

 

[kers]

They absolutely do... and the severity of symptoms has a lot to do with it as well as the nature of the trauma.

Do you mean to say that if someone does not respond well to a therapeutic situation in which s/he is pushed to be exposed to the trauma, then their symptoms are not severe? Can you clarify this?

 

[Tinyflame]

Not my right to add here, but I took it as "the needs are different" / people are at different levels of developed coping skills/ 'meltdown', etc. (at that moment in their life/ therapy).

 

[allitherapy]

That being said, is it not far better for a person going thru it to have a safe, stable environment? To work towards that before starting to work on their traumas? From the success statistics available and what you have shared, I sincerely doubt that many survivors of multiple traumas are as strong as you are. I am so glad you have that inner strength. I doubt that you could have survived the horrors you described if you didn't. KUDOS!

First of all, thank you! Secondly, yes of course it is better to start trauma therapy from a safe,stable place. My point was that it isn't impossible to do so from otherwise, specific to the individuals own trauma, coping mechanisms, and personality. I am able to do it, others may not be. I said earlier, it's about finding what works for you. If you can do it amidst instability and without support, do it. If not, work toasted getting yourself in a stable environment prior to pursuing trauma therapy. Know yourself and what you need.