[Blueberrybook]

Anyone else have this happen?

I have had a hard time of it lately and and really just starting with this therapist. I have so many issues to address it’s not even funny. She feels for therapy to help me, I have to address past trauma. I don’t think I have really dealt with it of it, and now I have probably at least 5 instances of varying traumatic matters, maybe more, that could have left me with PTSD plus growing up with an angry disapproving father (still have no relationship with him). She didn’t suggest I dwell on this stuff or anything over the next week. She just said we will need to address these traumas in therapy. She gave me a sheet with a different exercise to work on over the next week, not at all related to past traumatic events.

I left, and I was just shaking in the car. A very bad panic attack came on, though very luckily it takes less than 5 minutes to drive home from this therapist’s office.

Why the panic? I know I need to address all the past trauma. I knew it would come up in therapy, so I shouldn’t be surprised. Does this mean I am scared to deal with all the stuff?

Took 2 Klonopin, no help. Tried lying down, breathing, still felt panicky. Took a low dose Seroquel. It has maybe helped a bit, not much. I wish I had longer before picking up my daughter from school because I am still anxious and would like to drink some chamomile tea and soak in a bath but don’t have time for that.

Thankfully, my daughter’s school takes 5 minutes to drive to, most of it in school speed zones with 20 mph speed limits. The city traffic police enforce those tightly, so people tend not to speed through them unless they are driving on autopilot or something. So, at least an easy drive. Then, get my daughter a snack, drink the chamomile tea if I still feel I need it.

Anyone else panic like this after seeing the T?

[~Christina]

If therapy isn’t hard your not doing it right.

[wildflowerchild25]

Facing past trauma is very hard. I think a panic attack would be normal in this situation. It doesn’t mean you’re not ready to face your traumas but it is scary. I agree with Christina, as I often do, that therapy is supposed to be hard. Otherwise it’s useless, especially if it’s trauma therapy.

[Blueberrybook]

Maybe this means I've finally found a T that is a good fit for me?

She is very direct and straightforward, which I do appreciate and is the type of person I feel follows through on doing just what she says she means to do. Hence, I feel like she actually is going to have me work through all these traumas, and that is very overwhelming.

[Wild Coyote]

Originally Posted by Blueberrybook

Maybe this means I've finally found a T that is a good fit for me?

She is very direct and straightforward, which I do appreciate and is the type of person I feel follows through on doing just what she says she means to do. Hence, I feel like she actually is going to have me work through all these traumas, and that is very overwhelming.

When I had first started doing outpatient trauma therapy,I'd had frequent panic attacks, often immediately after leaving the pdoc's office.

One time I'd dissociated and when I had left the office, I went to get into my car and hit my head hard enough to cause a concussion. I was very dazed.

Be extra careful when leaving your T's office, esp when driving.

You could pre-treat with anti-anxiety med prior to your appointment?
Maybe?

Be safe!

WC