I agree with what TimeToHeal said. I have also been in and out of therapy most of my life since I was first diagnosed over 40 years ago with what it now called PTSD (back then, it was called similar to shell shock for non-veterans). Seeking a trauma specialist is the way to go, but you can still see the therapist you like.
Honestly, I have not found standard therapy helpful. They basically work with emotions with no understanding of the brain and how it operates. Those of us with PTSD have a "tick" in our flight or fight response, our survival instinct caused by traumas we have suffered.
Over the past few years, my PTSD which was once long since forgotten returned due to new traumatic events. Not only is there new PTSD to contend with, it triggered old PTSD as well. Honestly, I have found that regular therapy has made it worse. As I've mentioned in other posts, in going to the psychiatrist for medications, he called a 5150 on me (3 day suicide hold) but the police disagreed and refused his orders. My therapist often blows me off as I explain new symptoms wanting to find ways to get rid of them. If she has never heard of it before, then she just doesn't believe me or won't address it. When I started work with a trauma specialist, that all changed.
Here's a good example for you. Over the past year, I have had a terrible time with written comprehension. I can still write, but I am unable to read even a simple sentence without tremendous effort. I used to love to read. Her response was that she had never heard of it before. The trauma specialist -- he has seen situations similar -- it is a defense mechanism -- that part of my brain is trying to protect me since much of the trauma came from the written word. Rather than simply blowing me off, he told me of programs I could attach to my computer that read along with the written word. That helps a lot! He's also helping me develop tools to overcome it. It has taken a lot of effort on my part and I have a long way to go, but my reading abilities are starting to improve.
He also reminds me not to get upset with my brain, it is really trying to help me --it's just a matter of guiding it down the right path. That, in itself, has made a big difference. So many of us suffer from self-loathing -- why am I like this? why is my brain broken? - - As a result, we often add to our own PTSD as we come down hard on ourselves. It's taken a lot of work, but when my attitude changed, my symptoms decreased.
He also supports my decision to refuse to take SSRI's and admits that he feels they are potentially more harmful than helpful.
My trauma specialist is actually considered "alternative" treatment. He is a trained clinical hypnotherapist who specializes in veteran PTSD. We have not been using hypnotherapy. The tools he has taught me have made a tremendous difference. Despite all attempts (including legal actions) I have not been able to stop the triggers that are causing the PTSD. We work together to develop techniques that have been very successful in helping me manage the triggers so they don't overwhelm me. He has given me tools that help me when my mind just goes off in a tangent and I can't stop it. That doesn't happen anymore. As soon as it starts up, I know what to do and can immediately end that torture. His tools have been very helpful in dealing with the agorophobia. I still have a long way to go to fully overcome it, but I am on the right path.
Please don't misunderstand. I still suffer from just about every PTSD symptom there is (a few that aren't even considered symptoms). But, in working with him in the course of the past 12 weeks, the intensity of the symptoms have diminished.
I will conclude with the best reason for seeking the help of a trauma specialist. I met with a friend who said to me that she hasn't seen me look this good in a long time. I asked her why. She said that even though you still have nothing but bad news, everything is still going wrong, your eyes don't look dead anymore. The life has come back into them. There are two reasons for that -- finding the trauma specialist and (as he always reminds me) doing the work I need to do to get better.
