Post Traumatic Stress Disorder - Your input on treatment & psychologists please

[ilovetoread73_]

Hi all,

I've had an awful childhood and also some awful events in my adult life.  I've been diagnosed with PTSD by Sleep Specialist very recently after seeing for 3.5 years.

I've been seeing a Psychologist for the past 3 years but not trained in PTSD.  Originally was after second miscarriage and it helped me hugely to get through.  However I have a myriad of other problems not to do with that but my childhood was not trained in PTSD and I am still suffering with anxiety terribly after recent change of medication to one used with PTSD.  The old one was for anxiety.  It is making me confront and be more clear minded.

My question is PTSD - what should I look for in new psychologist in your opinion that helped you, or not?

Do I need someone really specialised as my PTSD is from my childhood which was quite some time ago.

Do you think it's possible to get better to the point of forgetting most of the trauma etc we suffered if was quite severe?

 I've started searching for psychologists who treat specifically PTSD in patients but do I need someone with  more than a few years experience?  Is it about the relationship more?

Thanks for your help.  I really appreciate it.

[Chris_B]

Hi Ilovetoread73, welcome to the forums.

Have you tried looking in our practitioner directory? You can search by specialty, and the practitioner's website should give you an idea of how much experience the person has had.

I don't have personal experience with PTSD but many of our members do. You might wish to check out some of the following threads and reach out to our members there:

PTSD, Anxiety, Disassociation, I'm not sure I want to do this anymore

PTSD from violence, abuse, grief and traumatic events

PTSD and now secondary depression

PTSD from an anaesthesia awareness trauma

Newbie PTSD

Bullying and my PTSD

PTSD, anxiety and no support

I have PTSD, I can't cope anymore

[A_Tech]

Hi there,

One things for sure, finding the 'right' psychologist for you is almost as hard as dealing with the issues themselves.

Personally, I think it all starts with you GP. I'm exceptionally lucky in that I have an amazing GP who I have been seeing for 18years. 

See keeps notes from all of her patients when she makes a referral for them to any specialist, so that she can then recommend only the good ones again.

Yes, you definitely need a psychologist that is trained to deal with PTSD or traumatic events as the treatment options can be very different to general psychology. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is one treatment, I myself am going through exposure therapy. So basically we discuss the events over and over again until I can talk about them without having the violent physical response I was having. 5 months in and I can definitely see progress for me. 

But it does come back to trust in the doctor treating you. You may need to 'shop' around a bit, or you may get lucky first try.

I wish you all the best x

[ilovetoread73_]

Thanks Gas tech for your thoughts on PTSD and treatment.  I'm hanging in OK at the moment but I know I have to deal with it asap.  I've sent two places email's.  One of them today which I think will respond.  The first one I contacted no response after a few days which I think is pretty poor showing to be honest.

Shopping around is how it will have to be I think.  All the best for your treatment as well.

[ilovetoread73_]

Thanks Chris for pointing out the threads.  The usual time I get to look at these things is late in the evening as it is quiet.  Daytime around my place it is noisy with nearby developments, whipper snippers, car horns and people slamming doors which the last one gives me no concentration and the brain doesn't really work more than 70% at this time!

 Will read those threads.