What I would like to accomplish

[AR23]

It’s been over 23 years since the event which caused my PTSD, one thing I’ve not yet done and hope I’m able to do is to go back to the place where it happened, for closure.

I want to replace my last memories of it, with new, better ones.
I just hope I can do that one day.

 

[Movingforward10]

I recently returned to a place where some of my trauma happened. Mainly because I need to attend my Dad's inquest in that area next week and didn't want to go there for the first time for that reason. Otherwise I don't think I would have gone.

And actually, it was very profound. Sad. And deep. But a very loving and caring act for myself. I felt no fear or terror. Just sadness. And now, deep awe for myself that I managed it.

Have you imagined what it would be like?
What you would like to do when you get there?

I took some flowers and wrote a few words on them and tied them to railings. I had the same flowers in my living room and it made me happy to think the flowers were there.

Hope it brings the closure you're looking for.

 

[enough]

I drive through a lot of locations where traumatic events happened, it has been a long time since i was aware i was in that place every single time. now i am able to slide by without a reminder mist of the time.
So, how do you prepare to not think about something? Just the act if prepping for the lack of acknowledgement is a guarantee the opposite will happen.
hope it goes/went well

 

[Lost in the Woods]

I have been by my childhood home several times and I always feel bad energy around the place. I am sure the current owners have no idea as to the horrors that took place there. I have also been by the sadistic boarding school I went to. Just the smell of the trees caused an emotional flashback.

 

[Friday]

It’s been over 23 years since the event which caused my PTSD, one thing I’ve not yet done and hope I’m able to do is to go back to the place where it happened, for closure.

I want to replace my last memories of it, with new, better ones.
I just hope I can do that one day.

Sometimes that helps.

Sometimes that makes everything much worse, for much longer. Rather the opposite of closure; ripping open old wounds, or old wounds start festering, or both.

What causes the difference between the two? Closure vs what fresh new hell is this? Is something very much worth researching. Because it’s not a simple/straightforward answer. There are a whole lot of variables, and those variables are worth really looking at, and exploring, as they relate to you & your experience.

 

[AR23]

Thank you all.
I do feel that visiting one day would bring closure - those who caused so much pain and suffering are gone, completely gone.
The place itself I hold no anxiety over.
It will be a very emotional experience but I do feel that I need to replace my last memories of the city (which were that horrific day) with brand new, happier memories.

 

[arfie]

in my own psychotherapy we have called going back to the scene of the trauma, "exposure therapy." it has worked wonders for my recovery, with one important difference. i started my psychotherapy with trauma induced amnesia. attempting to "replace" memories was ill-advised. i was recovering memories. once i had recovered the memories i was able to take back the personal power i lost to the trauma. but that is me and every case is unique.

steadying support while you accomplish your goal. hope healing happens here.