I was recently re-victimized by a therapist and I experienced a full re-traumatization. It almost ended my life.

It is absolutely disturbing to think about how common this is. Therapy can be very dangerous. It is important to know about these things and recognize the signs of ineffective and potentially hazardous therapy.

For me, re-traumatization includes nightmares, panic attacks, extremely annoying and persistent somatic symptoms that will not go away; pain, tense muscles, shaking, sweating, sore body, weakness, dizziness, shortness of breath, etc. I have relentless intrusive memories that simply will not stop. These of course bring about further body reactions and further re-traumatize me. I cannot sleep, I dissociate and cannot concentrate on what I am doing. I want to hide under blankets and cuddle teddy bears. I want to escape the body - like I cannot escape the living nightmare! I constantly ruminate about what people did and said, over and over and over; trying to process it. I feel angry enough to punch my walls. I feel angry enough to expose the systemic issues in healthcare and in mental health treatment. I am basically a wreck and I would go to another therapist but I have been re-traumatized and re-victimized too many times to feel safe!

Thanks,
HD7970ghz