I have found all of CBT, DBT and EMDR helpful, but for different things.

I've used CBT extensively in rehab, and also did a CBT program for social phobia that took me from a state of near agoraphobia to going out comfortably in most social situations. I find CBT really helpful in challenging negative thought patterns. But like anything you really have to work on it.

DBT was also helpful, but it's not designed specifically for PTSD. It was originally developed to treat borderline personality disorder and so is focussed on emotional regulation and stopping self destructive behaviours. It's hard it's intense, it's generally long term - the program I did was 26 weeks, but most programs are at least 6 months, and you really have to work at the homework and practice the skills between sessions to get the most out of it. DBT can also be hard to find.

I did EMDR off and on for about 12 years with a private psychologist. I found it helpful, but I'd offer the observation that it's probably more helpful for single incident trauma rather than chronic.

The two most useful therapies I've found for dealing with PTSD is Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy, and one on one working with a therapist going through a workbook, called "Life after Trauma".

Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy was originally developed for people with multiple episodes of depression and is a really intense 8 or 12 week program that places a heavy emphasis on Mindfulness meditation. That was my introduction to Mindfulness and I now try to use it on a daily basis. It really helps me. If you want a good stating reference, I recommend Jon Kabat-Zin's "Mindfulness for Beginners" It's a very accessible introduction to Mindfulness.

The second thing I mentioned is working through th workbook, "Life after Trauma with a therapist. You do not go back and revisit the trauma. Instead the focus is entirely on the present and how your trauma has affected your life in terms of beliefs about feelings, safety, interpersonal relationships and so on. I'm finding it incredibly helpful.

Finally the thing I'll add that helped me the most, was just making up my mind to let it go. Yes a ton of bad things happenned to me as a child, and I acknowledged then and grieved them, but I had to let go of them, and stop dwelling on them and using them as excuses for not moving on with my life. This is not an overnight progress I had a lot of back and forth movement, but I finally made up my mind that the past was not going to control me any longer.

Yes i still get upset around certain anniversaries, and some times of the year are more difficult than others, but I'd say my PTSD is now largely under control. Except for rare occassions my hypervigilance is now much more manageable. My startle response is a lot lower. I have openned up to friends which was critical and so I have a great support network. I still get nightmares but they're not as bad as they use to be. And I'm starting to remember positive things about my childhood, rather than just being largely dissociated from the whole thing.

So yes I do believe it's possible to recover from PTSD - but you have to be willing to let the past go, and do the work of therapy that helps you address the symptoms until you're able to move on with your life and build a better present.

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