Prolonged Exposure Therapy

[Zipperhead]

I only did the PE thing for 5 sessions. Then I moved and had to find a new doc. New doc started me on EMDR. I did anything I could to distract myself while "listening to the tapes." Doc wasn't to pleased with that, but it got me through. Making the tapes wasn't so bad for me though, and I quickly realised how much stuff I didn't know. I was medivaced and didn't see my crew again for a month or so. By then no one was talking about things. It made me realise I needed to talk to the old crew again. Okay, I've never taken that next step, but I know I will have to someday. Funny how we can have RPGs raining on our parade and still function, but the thought of my old crew knowing I got this kills me.

Having said all that, it is normal on this forum to fill they other members in on your back ground. First off, it helps them know where you're coming from. Second, it helps form a bond so we can open up abit. There is a members only area where you can post an intro. I'm Canadian. I was a tanker. I served in Bosnia in the 90s and Afghanistan in 2002 and 2007. Anything beyond that will be by private message.

 

[Breaker]

going slow was what we talked about. Jar has a good point there and I think if we would taken it a bit slower it might have been easier, I didn't think about that really. We dived into it since there is 2 years we are going to focus on. I guess I wasted the first 4 weeks avoiding so we were running out of time and I went from the start to a safe point which was a good bit of time and a lot of bad stuff. Probably more than we should have but it really messed me up. I was shacking for a couple days. They are going to have a meeting and discuss what is the best option to proceed with me. I will wait for that I guess, they should have inpatient for the PE, that is the worst of it I think. They wanted to put me inpatient for 7 weeks but that does not cover the PE it is the CT which I have already done. I am not comfortable sharing too much personal stuff on here so I hope I can be forgiven for that. This is the internet and I don't know who all is watching and don't want anyone to get the wrong idea of where I was or what I was doing. Please understand that. Private chat I will be happy to tell you. It was not in the sandbox.

 

[Ned]

Ok, foot off the pedal and take your time.
I think the best thing is look around here, see what makes sense, and Private chat to those individuals who you think might listen.
Tell you now, they will.

Will you do that? Just a nod to those who might get it?

 

[JarHed]

Hey Breaker

First, I just wanted you to know that in no way was I calling your service into question. You're right, this is the internet and you don't know who someone is. This place is on the honor system, and it works well. So my question was really just from an intro sort of way, just to get to know you.

I'm sorry that PE didn't work for you. I'm glad that you did find something that did. That's kinda' the point, find something that's going to help you. Like any therapy, there's not one that fits everyone. PE worked for me, it helped. That's really the purpose of this thread. Guess it's kinda' the purpose of this place.

Jar

 

[Jimmy1]

It's as simple as this Mr Breaker. I have sent you a message which you have not responded to so this is how it goes.

You have joined a forum. Now I am pretty sure in the English speaking world if you join a conversation, whether it be about 'PE' or not, you usually introduce yourself, where your from, where you served would be nice.
You don't just come in here and start gibbering. If you are not well enough to have a decent conversation don't comment. Jarhead, or Grandpa Simpson started this thread on 'PE' so you owe him the common courtesy to tell him where your from.
He did not ask you for your kidney or spleen, just for an intro. If you don't like it, go crying on someone else's forum. I am sick of people coming in here and trying to dictate the rules.

That is all.

 

[Breaker]

I received one email. I responded to it. I am in a position that I would like to open up here and I would also like to keep that from every eye on the planet. I have my own reasons for that. I have shared enough about PE that someone should know that I am not making it up.

The truth is if I told you guys the truth you would not believe me anyway so I would tell you a half truth and you know what? 26 years of lying is enough. So f*ck it, I will see you in the funny papers.

I will say this before I go though about PE. I don't think it is as helpful as the VA wants people to believe. I think the mind protects us from memories and pains and it works very well and for very good reason. Docs seem to always think they know better than the human design so they mess around with it and call it a success. I am calling it bullshit. That is all.

 

[Ned]

No one is asking what you did. A brief 'who you are' is all. And do you think you're the only one who's had to fib about what they do? Really?

 

[reddevil1111]

Troll.

 

[JarHed]

I've had numerous doctors and therapist; why? Because some of them didn't help to solve my problems and serve my needs. It's the patients responsibility to take charge of their own care. If PE didn't work for you, then it didn't. That doesn't mean that it doesn't work, is experimental or not good. It does work, it's been quantified and not just by the VA, I personally know many vets that have gone through it and are better now because they did. I've also met other vets that haven't had the same success with it but have done well with other therapies. That's the key, find something that will serve you well. That would be my message to anyone who would read this post, that's all. Nothing is one size fits all.

Now I have to say this; I've never met anyone in the military that didn't want to say which branch of the service they were in or what their job was or where they served. This forum is for and about Combat Vets. It's not a no shit contest about what we did or what happened to us. No one here has attacked you but you've taken on an adversarial position. Your statements and responses are those of someone that doesn't fulfill the simple qualifications we ask for. We aren't asking for an ID picture, your DD214 or military records. Your unwillingness to give the simple courteous intro says much to us here. If you're a vet or someone with PTSD I hope you find something that works and helps you in your life.

 

[reddevil1111]

Shhh. its secret. The dude is a troll in the worst way. There are no secrets or things you need to protect "online" from anyone that would preclude you from giving some basic info out as everyone keeps asking.

 

[Jimmy1]

Mr Breaker, I sent you a PM via this means. And you have not responded.

Last chance buddy or else you will be reported and banned. Simple.

 

[Ned]

Incidentally, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to draw attention to our modest star Lee's little pointed stick:

Sounds like they are talking a lot of old bollox to me mate, seem like its been written out of manual, but, lets see !

that was just too pointy and sticky for our secretive visitor.................