Need help for treatment options

[Pip25]

Hi everyone,

I've had a really challenging week. I had my second EMDR session with my clinical psychologist and found it extremely challenging. My weekend has consisted of panic attacks, flash backs ans just sleep due to exhaustion. My pyschologist has since written a letter explaining that she isn't sure if this form of therapy is going to help and is looking at alternative referrals. She's already tried CBT rescripting but decided that wasn't effective either. I feel as though she's giving up on helping me and I've been trying so so hard during our sessions and invested so much in trying to get better.

I don't know what other forms of therapy exist or where she would refer me to. I've tried googling options but it's just made me feel more lost and stressed.

I'm trying to keep it all together but I'm really not coping anymore and I don't know where to go for help.

[Ken1]

Hi Pip25,

It really does sounds challenging what you're going through at the moment - and exhausting, as you mentioned!

I find it hard to believe that a psychologist would give up on you. Psychologists are trained in different areas and she probably just doesn't have the training in ALL areas of therapy to know which one is going to work best for you. Regardless of whether you feel like she's giving up on you or not, this doesn't mean you should give up on yourself.

I unfortunately don't know too much about other types of therapy but would so love to help research for you to take the stress and pressure off you - sometimes it's better from fresh eyes too!

Only if you feel comfortable telling us, what exactly are you wanting help for? Is it the panic attacks and flash backs that you mentioned?

Also, why do you think CBT and EMDR haven't worked? Could maybe help you understand what you need to try that's different!

So happy to help you here, but keep in mind that most of us aren't professionals, merely support - which often is just what people need!

Would love to hear back from you.

Bonnie

[Rhuggins]

Hi Pip,

I hope you are managing to enjoy some of the sun this weekend, I have had a challenging week too and for some reason getting out in the sun seems to help a little bit. I am seeing a psychologist at the moment for grief and potential PTSD following the sudden death of my father and have been looking for other support groups or options for further help/support. I'm not sure if you live in Sydney but in my search I have found a place called quest for life that offers residential programs in the southern highlands that focus on healing your life, some focus on trauma and PTSD, I have mentioned it to my psych and she thinks it would be a good idea so I am looking at attending one in the next few months, anyway thought it might be of interest to you

I hope you have a better week this week and find the help you need.

Rachel

[Pip25]

Hi Bonnie,

Firstly, thank you so much for you kind reply - it means a lot.

In answer to your question, I first saw a psychologist for help with flashbacks, panic attacks and nightmares. I also had issues with self esteem and anxiety (not feeling safe or trusting myself). This is all link to a past domestic violence relationship.

I contacted my psychologist and she assured me she's not giving up but that because of my lack of progress we need to start looking at alternative treatment options. She encouraged me to take out private health insurance so that we can look into hospital inpatient programs. I'm still not sure what that looks like but I'm hoping to discuss it further in my next session. She's still hoping that the EDMR will be effective but having to bring up memories is extremely painful for me. Even though I try my best, I find myself crying a lot and am not able to easily to refocus. The CBT rescripting was a lot worse and for days after a session I felt I was unable to function and became too scared to leave the house. I held out hope because I was told it gets worse before it gets better but it just didn't seem to get better. I came into therapy feeling fairly strong and capable of working through my experiences. It's been a millions times harder than I thought it would be and I really wasn't prepared for that at all.

Thank you for your support,

Pip

[Pip25]

Hi Rachel,

Thank you so much for your reply - it made me feel a lot less alone. I'm so sorry to hear about your dad. Sunshine definitely helps and I'm tried to force myself to go outside each day despite everything.

I am in Sydney but would honestly be willing to travel almost anywhere for treatment that helped. I will definitely look into the Quest for Life program.

Thank you again!

[Ken1]

Hi Pip,

I'm glad your psychologist is trying to help you and not giving up!

Sounds like CBT might not be the right fit for you but hoping aling with your psychologist that EDMR will help! Generally, things get painful the more you work on them - not the case for everyone but I sure hope it is for you!

How is your self talk amongst all of this? You say you came into therapy feeling strong (which is great) and understandably the pain and persistance with undergoing these therapies would leave you feeling depleted.

What do you tell yourself when you've had a not so great session with your psychologist? What do you envision for your future? The third, most important question I have - what's your incentive?

Obviously I'm sure best case scenario is to feel well! Not have nightmares, panic attacks or anxiety. All that aside - is there anything driving you to overcome everything?

I'm asking because that was the changing point for me. I went from a suicide attempt and a stay in a mental health ward to seeing others with mental illnesses struggling and THEN I decided that I needed to recover so that I could help people that were just like me.

Having a motivation, a drive, and a dream for the future works wonders on your abilities to overcome crappy situations and increases your seratonin levels actually - what we always want!

Your capacity to overcome will increase based on YOUR individual capacity. It's great that you enjoy the sun! That alone will greaten your capacity and release seratonin.

Your psychologist has got you - don't worry about that. It's their job to maximise your wellbeing. It's your job to do the same and it sounds like you're working incredibly hard to do so.

I'm actially studying counselling so will keep my eyes 100% peeled for therapy styles that might work for you.

Keep us updated with how you go with EDMR! So believe you can conquer this.

All the best wishes x

Bonnie

[Rhuggins]

You are very welcome Pip, sorry for my delayed reply I was travelling for work last week. I hope you have had a better week and a good weekend, who knows maybe we will end up meeting at the quest for life retreat if you end up going 😊