Quiting Therapy

[Justmehere]

Someday, when you're in the right frame of mind, it might be a good idea to call that "help line" and talk to who ever is in charge about your experience.

I think I will! No one should have to endure what I did. I'm guessing I'm not the only one either.

(I don't have a bear, but I have a cute stuffed cow & and English Bulldog who THINKS she's a "stuffed animal" a lot of the time.)

Aw :) my 50lb Labrador thinks she is a lap dog! Lol.

The other thing to remember when you're in a good place, so it can leak over to when you're in a bad place...

Good idea! I can see how it can help. My therapist days the more I enjoy the good, the more quickly my nervous system can get back there.

I think you are right about asking for someone else too. I think it would be good to do early on too. I tried to stick out this nightmare too long. While she might have been the right nudge towards health to someone else, she wasn't the right help for me.

I once had a friend tell me a good therapist is like a good pair of shoes, you have to try a lot of them on to find the right pair.

That is a perfect way to describe it! I have tried a lot of therapists before I finally found this one. She is a trauma specialist and more than that, she's a good fit. She's honest and kind. She was totally unphased when I quit and in quit. She said, "I figured something spooked you. It happens sometimes. I'm proud of you for coming back, and so quickly."

As far as the teddy bear-I have a Spunky Dog. I know weird.

Not at all weird! What a sweet and endearing story. Something is so safe about animals, real or even stuffed fabric ones. I'm so sorry you can't have your kitties with you. My cat is super cuddly and it's one of the best feelings. I'm so glad that someday soon you will have yours back too. :hug: I just downloaded some relaxation apps. I'll look up on the ones you mentioned too - thanks for the suggestions and encouragement!

"Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better. "-Maya Angelou

This quote somehow really fit for me today. Thank you. :)

I left my former doctor because she was of no help to me whatsoever. She didn't think about my PTSD, she thought about my marriage and how I was affecting HIM!!!!

Ugh. :( You were so smart to find someone else! You are so right that having someone who knows their stuff about PTSD is key!

Why do I sound like a counselor? *throws up hands*

Because you are smart and wise and kind. :)

 

[Justmehere]

You all have inspired me. I'm teddy bear shopping tonight. Or to find some other cute cuddly thing.

When I was a kid, I had a stuff kangaroo that went with me everywhere.

His name was...
wait for it...
Mr. Kanagroo. (So creative, I know. ;) :P)

 

[KwanYingirl]

I've got my sweet dog Annie she goes everywhere with me. Today she's been sick had to spend the day at the vets and she threw up her medicine. I just gave her a tiny bit of hamburger. Even when she's sick she loves to cuddle. She's only 10 pounds so I have the best teddy bear! My therapist wrote me a letter of accommodation that she is my emotional service dog so I can take her. Is Bristol officially a service dog? All the training Annie's had is two levels of obedience.

 

[Justmehere]

I'm so sorry your pup is sick. I hope Annie feels better fast! Cuddly dogs are the best! I'm glad you get to take her with you.

My dog (who isn't Bristol - but I'm honored to have my pup mixed up with Bristol, a great dog of another member of the forums) is a service dog. Unless there is a real danger (or bacon cooking somewhere) she is pretty mellow and sweet. Today, she looked at me while I was freaking out and simply laid on feet as much as I would be still enough to let her. She was also my companion to the book store (somewhere public where I would not further self harm) while I waited for my therapist to call. Tonight I have finally relaxed enough to take in her comfort more.

 

[ButterflyBean]

It sounds like you're doing better and I'm glad! Do you feel better after the phone session with you therapist, how did it go? I hope you have a better weekend, and we're all thinking of you, especially me! :-)

 

[Mystery]

Justmehere, I get it. After reading your reason for this big confrontation of injustice on your post the other day. That Argh you posted at the end, I have felt that many times. You believed and got knocked down. Can you still remember in all this that none of this was your fault? Maybe that's a place to begin to soothe. When I feel like that I feel like I'm caught in limbo inbetween the poles of magnets, suspended in space not ever having enough mass to magnetize to either pole. It's like we are in the world but not of it. Tears are good right now, just process it and I'm thinking that just as you got yourself this far in life, so will you come through this one. x

 

[JEKBreatheandBelieve]

I just read your post and all of your responses. I think everyone's pretty much got it covered, but I wanted to let you know that I am sorry you had a such a rough experience. I hope that you were able to get the support you needed from the phone session. Good luck finding comforting things for your little kid self. I have DID and my youngest part likes stuffed animals. When I was a kid, I hid in the closet (for fun, I thought, but perhaps it was safety, too), I curl up in small spaces to help when I feel particularly unsafe. I hope you continue to have luck working through this rough patch.

 

[joeylittle]

Just wanted to add some great advice my therapist gave me - I had some disastrous crisis line calls just like yours, and was so frustrated.

He said to say "I have PTSD and I'm having a panic attack. Can you help me with grounding?"

Or, shorter version: "I'm having a panic attack and need help grounding".

The volunteers don't always have training in this, but the supervisor will. Using specific mental health language stands a better chance of either getting them to do something they can do OR getting them to transfer you over to someone who can help.

He also said to feel fine about calling anything a "panic attack", since grounding is what you need whether it's a flashback, panic, intense self-harm urge....but "panic attack" is easiest for them to grasp and won't immediately start the inquiries about suicide.

Also, your therapist sounds awesome.