Stabilization Phase Of Therapy

[CCurry]

Hi Everyone,

I've been trying to do a search about the initial phase of therapy - stabilization; however, I was not having much luck with finding out any real information. Who better to ask then sufferers?

For those that don't know my bf suffers from combat related ptsd, he was a career soldier and spent years in active combat zones. He was already treated in 2003 in an intensive inpatient program and that really helped. Unfortunately he never kept up the therapy and he's had a HUGE flare up during the late summer. He had to move out of the house for our safety. He's still not back home yet and has had about 7 - 8 therapy sessions.

The therapist said the first phase is getting him stable. I know what the word stable means and I'm assuming he's not stable as he's not back home now. He's still having nightmares, flashbacks, dissociatons but he is a lot better than lets say 2 weeks ago so I'm assuming that he's making some progress.

Can you still be considered stable and yet continue to have dissociations? And what does stabilzation REALLY mean?

C.

 

[TLight]

I've been in therapy for 5 years and still, if stress is high, I become unstable quickly.

The experience of being unstable is terrifying. It is as if your brain is a time bomb, ready to explode, run, twist, torture, anything and everything and you are just not able to function. Sleep goes........memory goes, everything just goes. For me, I had several psychotic breaks. YOur world becomes complete torture.

I'm stable now. To me that means getting meds right, getting stressors and triggers out of your life, and only then could I begin to work on anything. I was unstable off and on in therapy several times.

And yes, I can be stable and still heavily dissociate depending upon what is happening (usually a strong trigger). I imagine I will always dissociate.

 

[kers]

I don't know a precise, clinical answer to your question.

I can say for me, stabilization meant getting on meds that took me out of clinical depression and establishing steps towards feeling safe enough in therapy to begin the real work. It took several months for me to move out of this crisis state. And, I'll warn you, it's pretty up-and-down once the trauma work can begin. I have felt as crazy and out of control during the trauma work as I ever did when I was untreated.

I can also say that after several years of hard work and great reduction in my symptoms, I still have frequent, severe dissociation episodes. For me, life without dissociation or flashbacks is not a realistic goal. Coping with them, that's my goal, and that of many sufferers.

At some point it may be helpful for you to meet with your bf and someone from his treatment team to learn about where he is, where he wants to be in his healing, and what you can expect along the journey.

 

[Deleted member 541]

For me, it was being able to quit using negative coping skills, to learn healthy ones, and when and how to implement them..... I also had to learn grounding skills.... That was huge for me....

Stress can mess you up big time *during* this time, but once he learns good coping and grounding skills, and can use them effectively, he should be able to bring himself back from stress fairly well. Although, stress will always be an issue....With a ton of therapy, he will learn how to be in better control of himself, and his symptoms....

It's going to take time, but any improvement is good......

 

[CCurry]

For me, it was being able to quit using negative coping skills, to learn healthy ones, and when and how to implement them..... I also had to learn grounding skills.... That was huge for me....

Stress can mess you up big time *during* this time, but once he learns good coping and grounding skills, and can use them effectively, he should be able to bring himself back from stress fairly well. Although, stress will always be an issue....With a ton of therapy, he will learn how to be in better control of himself, and his symptoms....

It's going to take time, but any improvement is good......

Thanks everyone for your responses. I read this last night SheCat and I was quick to think of all the negative coping skills he's used such as cutting himself, drinking, and working 16 hour days. But when it comes to the healthy coping skills the only one I can think of that he does is exercise. Maybe you can elaborate on other healthy coping skills?

As you say any improvement is good and considering where he came from, he really has made progress.

 

[onebravegirl]

Stabilization can also mean being physically safe with oneself. IF PTSD is running wild and a person is suicidal they need to be stabilized before continuing treatment. This takes time and a person may stay in the hospital for some time just to be observed. Also to see if a certain type of Medication may be of help.There are many highs and lows in PTSD. The Hospital doesn't have to mean a negative, it can be very helpful to a persons progress. For you to cope You need support too. As much as you may feel for the other person, your needs are just as important. Glad your here!
O

 

[Deleted member 541]

I think the 2 most important things that any of us can do for ourselves as far as coping skills..........

Therapy and medication...In that order..... After that........

Build a network of supportive friends and family. (I know, hard to do for us, but even one or two really good friends or family members can be of value)

Learning to do self talk, to talk ourselves down or out of stressful or angry situations....

Exercise, is another great way to cope, as it helps to relieve stress, and it helps with the weight gain from meds.....

Basically it's anything that isn't a bad coping skill, and that isn't used in excess. It can be reading, movies, gaming, playing cards, sitting in nature soaking up the sun........Anything that he enjoys, that he is willing to do, and that isn't negaitve, or harmful.

One of the things that most of us sufferers forget.......We tend to focus on the negative, our symptoms, the things that we can't control, the things that we can't do, or won't do, and we forget that there is a person involved in all of this that is in need of some self care....US!!!!! We tend to ignore us, and only focus on the negative side of PTSD.....

 

[CCurry]

Onebravegirl- thanks that was him about 7-8 weeks ago while he was still on the verge of making up his own mind about therapy or no therapy -it was touch and go for awhile. But I think we are past that but I suppose still not "stable."

Thanks SheCat, I went over to his place where he's temporary staying and noticed a couple of things over there, one he's taken some board games from home and as well a stack of movies. So I guess that's what you are talking about in terms of healthy coping!

Thanks for your input, I really do appreciate it!
C.