topic Intense counselling session for PTSD has taken me back in PTSD and trauma

Intense counselling session for PTSD has taken me back

3T — Fri, 19 May 2017 10:44:33 GMT

I had a counselling session today with a new counsellor for complex grief and PTSD

it feels like it has forced me back in a place that I don't want to be in. I had a panic attack after the session

I don't like the way I'm feeling any suggestions or ideas to help please xx

Intense counselling session for PTSD has taken me back

Just Sara — Fri, 19 May 2017 13:47:27 GMT

Hi 3T;

You haven't given us much info, but from what you have, I'm gathering both the intensity of the session and the panic attack are the issues you want to discuss?

I was diagnosed with Chronic PTSD and Anxiety/Panic disorder in Nov 2015. It explained a lifetime of behaviours and responses in one appt. Since then, I've managed to identify most of my triggers and found strategies to cope. My anxiety/panic has all but gone, and although light depression has set in, I'm aware of the issues behind it.

Therapy will open up old wounds so that leaving the past behind can happen. The term; 'What lies beneath' tends to sum it up I'm afraid. Most days I leave therapy feeling so much better than when I walked in, but things usually hit hard a few hours later.

The thing with PTSD is not knowing what'll trigger fear until you begin to work out background info of your trauma. I was raped by my de-facto at 21 while we were living together. It was particularly brutal, but until last yr (35 yrs later) I thought it was my fault.

Realisations of this nature need to be bought out into the open; they're very destructive. I still struggle with this belief because it's been around so long, but at least I know it exists. It can be very painful to confront the past, but unless we go to our sessions, nothing will change.

I'm not surprised about your aftermath panic attack; when therapy gets close to those beliefs, (most of which are about loss of power and being our fault) it can cut to the bone. Panic tells me your therapist is getting close to home. (my personal opinion btw)

Panic and anxiety although extremely scary and uncomfortable, are really helpful in identifying what we're scared 'of'. I consider them a valuable tool to get inside 'me'.

However in saying this, in the beginning, medication is a gentle way to lessen the symptoms to help with therapy and getting thru life in general. I wouldn't be here without them.

I'm not sure what else to say hun. If you have questions; please ask away. If you want to vent or purge this is great too. I'm here to listen.

Hope to hear from you soon...

Sara

Intense counselling session for PTSD has taken me back

3T — Sun, 21 May 2017 09:20:26 GMT

Hi Sara

yes the intensity of the session really knocked the air out of me literally, it was my third session with a new counsellor and the first time I've gone into that much detail about my 4 year old daughters sudden and traumatic death ,

even now I'm still not right I'm having trouble sleeping and I'm edge.. Really anxious . I'm fighting the urge I have of not going back... to stop talking about it so these feelings don't come back full force

im not sure what to do anymore

thank you for sharing your story and for your support

kelly xxx

Intense counselling session for PTSD has taken me back

Jaguar Girl — Fri, 20 Jul 2018 20:41:09 GMT

Have you told your therapist about your panic attacks after therapy?Sometimes stratergies to come back to the here and now, such as grounding, and distraction are helpful. Sometimes it takes the brain a little while to readjust to being trigged by the traumatic event. Consider some self care and self love. Keep in mind that the trauma was not your fault.