topic Using Poetry as a form of communication during therapy in PTSD and trauma

Using Poetry as a form of communication during therapy

Knuckleberry_Poe — Sat, 17 Apr 2021 00:36:13 GMT

I know this sounds weird but when I first started therapy with a psychologist for severe nightmares and panic attacks, his 1st question was had I ever been the victim of abuse. I immediately said no because he had a student with him.

A few sessions later I admitted that I had been at school.

I couldn't look my psychologist in the eyes. And I couldn't really verbalise how my life had snowballed into being the victim of abuse several times.

It took me over a year to say the word r**e.

So I would write what I needed to say. Eventually it became a form of writing it through poetry.

This is one such poem.

You left me wounded
A flicker of candle flame
Burnt down to the nub
Wax melted
White like my spirit
Red as thick as blood

Your devious actions
Burns too long
In my memory
Ash as hot as hades

You moved on
Unconcerned
Of the hurt you inflicted

I stayed here
Languishing
In the uncomfortable
Pain of it

The harder I try to heal
The deeper the burn
Your image implanted
Deep in my soul

Using Poetry as a form of communication during therapy

Boudica — Sat, 17 Apr 2021 01:02:18 GMT

Hello again Knuckleberry Poe, nice to see you again.

What a beautiful poem. It expresses also what I have felt. Thanks so much for sharing it here. It is great you have an outlet to express your inner pain, as it is so hard to speak about with actual people. I am not sure that I will ever be in a place where I want to speak about my past with people either......poetry is a great idea, you are clearly a very creative person.

Using Poetry as a form of communication during therapy

white knight — Sat, 17 Apr 2021 03:15:24 GMT

Hi, welcome again

I love your poem, yes writing them is great therapy, I have over 250 of them Many are in beyond blue poets corner.

Google

Beyondblue topic poets corner- post your poems here

Thankyou

TonyWK

Using Poetry as a form of communication during therapy

missep123 — Sat, 17 Apr 2021 03:29:08 GMT

Hi Knuckleberry Poe,

Thank you so much for being brave and sharing that.

What a beautiful but sad poem, I really could feel your emotions when reading that.

I'm so glad that poetry is a way for you to express your feelings, do you feel better afterwards once you've written it down?

We are here for you

Using Poetry as a form of communication during therapy

Knuckleberry_Poe — Sat, 17 Apr 2021 04:14:11 GMT

Thanks Boudica.

I find writing helps me a lot. Especially when my head is overfull and my brain can't shutdown. I also find writing helps after a particularly hideous nightmare.

In regards to what you wrote about not ever being ready to talk about it. EVery individual deals with their PTSD their own way. You're here now, responding to me. You're giving solace and empathy to others. Eventually one day Boudica you may be able to discuss whatever trauma you suffered with a therapist face to face.

There are some tips to help. Start by talking about everyday things that you struggle with. Like being in large crowds, out in public, shopping ( those are a few of my own)

If you want your therapist to know but you can't physically say it, then tell them that. I sent my CASA therapist, poems, short stories and drawings.

Then the following week she would start the conversation. But as I said. It's if you feel ready.

Using Poetry as a form of communication during therapy

Knuckleberry_Poe — Sat, 17 Apr 2021 04:16:58 GMT

Thankyou White Knight

For your advice. I've followed your link and found the poetry but I'm finding it hard to navigate the BeyondBlue website.

Using Poetry as a form of communication during therapy

Knuckleberry_Poe — Sat, 17 Apr 2021 04:23:18 GMT

Thanks Missep 123.

I've always loved to write. As a kid my teachers didn't really encourage my abilities. I was considered average or under-achiever. I didn't really think of myself as an aspiring poet until maybe six months into therapy . Then the inability to talk, or being selectively mute or a stuttering mess about particular traumas threw me into writing poetry. So in a way yes it's helped give the therapists an insight into what I'm trying to tell them. On days where I just can't find the right words.

Using Poetry as a form of communication during therapy

white knight — Sat, 17 Apr 2021 10:24:39 GMT

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/bb-social-zone/the-poetry-corner---post-your-poems-in-here/page/3#qfzVanHzvGGEbv8AAOnT_A

Using Poetry as a form of communication during therapy

missep123 — Thu, 22 Apr 2021 08:20:12 GMT

Hi Knuckleberry Poe,

I'm so glad to hear that you have found comfort in your writing! Finding a way to express our emotions exactly the way that we want to express them can be very challenging so I think that your poetry is a great way to do this.

Do you think you will post some on the link that white knight has shared above?

Using Poetry as a form of communication during therapy

quirkywords — Thu, 22 Apr 2021 09:55:16 GMT

Knuckleberry Poe

I am glad poetry has helped you. I have found writing in all forms helps me .

I have written poetry but rarely show it to others as my poetry is like an emotional diary.

Using Poetry as a form of communication during therapy

Knuckleberry_Poe — Thu, 06 May 2021 11:42:43 GMT

Thankyou quirkywords

I'd love to post my poetry. But a lot of it wouldn't be allowed as it's too dark and triggering.

I will post it now.

But I've just written a new one tonight that's a bit lighter.

Using Poetry as a form of communication during therapy

quirkywords — Thu, 17 Jun 2021 10:49:28 GMT

Just wondering if you are still writing poetry knuckle berry.

I feel poetry is a good way to express emotions. It does not have to rhyme, can be short or long. Keep it to yourself in a journal. if you want to.

Also read poetry as I find reading well known or lesser known poets that you relate to, helps me open and know I am not alone.

Using Poetry as a form of communication during therapy

missep123 — Mon, 21 Jun 2021 05:23:12 GMT

I think that it is so great that you both find poetry to be a great way to express emotions.

I wish I was creative enough to sufficiently put how I am feeling into poetry!