Ptsd Therapy - One Page, As Simple As It Gets

[Srain]

One thing I've noticed this last time writing out a trauma that it is connected to my feelings with other severe triggers of today. I feel more drawn to continue the search with this emotion and my reactions to it all throughout all my relationships until I'm lost in a web of confusion. Is this normal??

In some ways I have complete clarity as to why I get triggered but then I am totally tripped up on what next to deal with (this was not the first time an abuser made me feel this way) and whether or not I'm doing the whole avoidance at that point.

 

[intothelight]

Rain,

When I work through this, I find it is not a specific traumatic event that I end up working through. I usually end up working through an emotion that is tied to multiple traumatic events. Eventually, I untangle that emotional thread and then start on the next one.

I figure that someday that I will have worked through all of the emotions and eventually all of the trauma. Not quite how it is laid out, but a similar concept and approach non the less.

Deb

 

[Srain]

I am finding the emotion is dragging me from one trauma to another, is this right??

 

[anthony]

Emotions are intertwined, no doubt about it. Stay with one cause though... treat one problem, then move on to the next. Don't become distracted by emotions that wander around between your life. That is not remaining focused on the problem, that is chasing your tail around in circles without direction.

Problem > deal with the emotions to that problem the best you can... resolve. Then move on to the next problem. Emotions may intertwine, though you will often knock out many other issues with an emotion when you find how to resolve it focused on the most significant event.

 

[Innordinate]

Number 7.

All emotions, doesn't matter when? OR just the ones we feel about it now?

 

[anthony]

Number 7. All emotions, doesn't matter when? OR just the ones we feel about it now?

Could you please explain, as I have no idea what you are referring to when #7 states:

"Emotion identification – Isolate emotions felt from your trauma writing. What you feel is what you feel, regardless then or now, as feelings change over time. What you feel now is what affects you now. Rate them from 0 – 100. 0 being nil, 100 being worst. ie. I feel frustrated that he can get away with this; I feel frightened when I hear a loud noise."

 

[Innordinate]

Nevermind. Reading it wrong. Sorry. Thanks. I get it now.

 

[EricaBritt]

Anthony, with my PTSD I don't have the severe anger some may experience, and I don't rage out. I more so close up and cry for awhile alone or rant to someone for an hour and then I start to feel better, I don't agree with the use of medication for myself personally. I tried it before and it was awful for me.... Do you really think it would be unsafe for me to try this without medication? I've discussed many of my tragic events before, they don't cause me to react in the moment. My reactions more-so come when I am refaced with a similar issue and I assume that it's about to happen again.

 

[anthony]

Medication is a personal choice, and it isn't unsafe if you feel you can do it without medication. My point is that you know you better than anyone else. My point is that if you get so overwhelmed with emotion that you collapse, even go inwards to a depressive spiral, then be open that you may need it during that time.

I'm with you... I hate medication with a passion, however; I still have some on hand if I ever need it. I took a small dose valium daily for nearly a year. Now I take none again, as I simply don't require it.

 

[BlueOrange]

This is really good.

I'd like to suggest two adjustments:

You can do this without support, but you must commit yourself to not do stupid things, ie. suicide, fighting, smashing

'stupid' is a problematic word that can help people self-label in a negative way if they do get themselves into that kind of trouble. If you replaced it with 'destructive', I think the intent would be preserved.

Emotion identification – Isolate emotions felt from your trauma writing. What you feel is what you
feel, regardless then or now, as feelings change over time. What you feel now is what affects you now.
Rate them from 0 – 100. 0 being nil, 100 being worst.
ie. I feel frustrated that he can get away with this; I feel frightened when I hear a loud noise.

I've recently started asking myself "How did I feel at the time?" and "How do I feel now?" as deliberate, separate questions. Part of the PTSD problem is the way that the past invades the present. Establishing an internal understanding of "These things here belong to the past, these other things belong to now" has been useful to me. Recording both as separate things seems useful to me.

(And on a trivially pedantic note, you used "ie" when you meant "eg".)

 

[anthony]

I can live with pedantic... I will look at changing when back on my main machine. Valid points are valid points.

 

[Shellbell]

I think medication is a personal choice and I think when dealing with PTSD it is unwise to think medication is not necessary - as each person, each situation is different. I think an 'always say no' to medication is
not advisable.

I've always been of the opinion in the past that medication is not the way, until I got into such a state of depression, that it was very necessary. I couldn't function. Next stop would have been hospital. So, I was prescribed a strong AD, that also helps with insomnia, and it is definitely helping.

But I am fully commited to not taking it forever, just as long it's needed and to 'assist' with therapy, not be used 'instead' of therapy.