Quitting Outpatient Treatment.

[Cannottakethis]

I've been in an outpatient program since early September. It's a long day, 10-3:30 and I have yet to step down from full to half days. The morning groups are processing (but not real trauma process) and psychoeducation. The afternoon groups are lighter; music therapy, journaling, art, recreational therapy.

Yesterday I took the day off and just relaxed and it was great. I felt less anxious and depressed at home than I do at group, and I don't want to go back now.

I'm going to take off Friday for a dr appointment too, and hoping to get stepped down for next week or go to inpatient at Sheppard Pratt.

 

[recoveringfromptsd]

Going inpatient will do you a lot of good, you will be able to learn how to stay grounded from the best. I am a good example of how much good it does, when I sent in I was extremely suicidal and had already started one of my many plans, but after being there, I have had many flashbacks and triggers, and I have been able to stay grounded each time (grounded means being in the moment and not in trauma time)

 

[Cannottakethis]

I talked to my therapist today and we decided that I'm going to switch from the Trauma track because it's too triggering to Dbt track, which I've done before and is always good to refresh. They think if I quit it will look like I no longer need help. I know about grounding in my head, but when I start having flashbacks I forget what to do. There's a disconnect.

 

[recoveringfromptsd]

try this for starters, go to the store and get a bag of oranges, and stick them in the freezer, frozen oranges are great tools for grounding, at the hospital they maintain a large supply of them for this purpose, and I use them every day now for grounding. Using imagery is a lot harder to grasp, but it works. I keep one where I spend my days, and even at my therapists office.

 

[Cannottakethis]

I will definitely do that when I get out of here.