[xenos]

Hi everyone.

As a person who struggles a lot intimacy, and self esteem issues. I decided long ago to heal myself by myself via reading self help books only. The reason for this is I was not living in the US most of my life, until recently. My country of origin is far from capable in dealing with conditions such as emotional and family abuse, not to mention the trauma the society still suffers from, the list goes on and on.

I'ts just difficult for me to trust a Therapist who is good enough for me in dealing with my issues, because I feel they are complex and I don't feel confident that a good enough therapist might be available in my area to help me with my issues.

So the issue I'm facing frequently is, Reading a self help book helps me a lot, esp in being psychoeducated and in being mindful about my past abusive parents. Its just when I quit reading for a while, I feel that I've relapsed to my old passive, depressive mood. So, I don't know really, I mean every book I read definitely helps me a bit, but there is really a short term emotional boost and confidence I gain from a certain book, which unfortunately doesn't last that long.

I don't know if anyone of you experienced the same thing.

Many thanks.

[Trace14]

Originally Posted by xenos

Hi everyone.

As a person who struggles a lot intimacy, and self esteem issues. I decided long ago to heal myself by myself via reading self help books only. The reason for this is I was not living in the US most of my life, until recently. My country of origin is far from capable in dealing with conditions such as emotional and family abuse, not to mention the trauma the society still suffers from, the list goes on and on.

I'ts just difficult for me to trust a Therapist who is good enough for me in dealing with my issues, because I feel they are complex and I don't feel confident that a good enough therapist might be available in my area to help me with my issues.

So the issue I'm facing frequently is, Reading a self help book helps me a lot, esp in being psychoeducated and in being mindful about my past abusive parents. Its just when I quit reading for a while, I feel that I've relapsed to my old passive, depressive mood. So, I don't know really, I mean every book I read definitely helps me a bit, but there is really a short term emotional boost and confidence I gain from a certain book, which unfortunately doesn't last that long.

I don't know if anyone of you experienced the same thing.

Many thanks.

I think this happens for many reasons. One it's hard for us to absorb and remember information, or at least it is for me. Pete Walker's book is very good but it's a lot to digest. I thumb through it and pick out topics of interest to me and read that. Just like grounding exercises also, it's something that has to be practiced, continuously, to stay grounded. Other tools like DBT can help but again it's something you will have to practice a lot until you don't need it anymore. Keep at it. There's also a PTSD workbook that is good if you are good with self initiating work. Best wishes.

[xenos]

Originally Posted by Trace14

I think this happens for many reasons. One it's hard for us to absorb and remember information, or at least it is for me. Pete Walker's book is very good but it's a lot to digest. I thumb through it and pick out topics of interest to me and read that. Just like grounding exercises also, it's something that has to be practiced, continuously, to stay grounded. Other tools like DBT can help but again it's something you will have to practice a lot until you don't need it anymore. Keep at it. There's also a PTSD workbook that is good if you are good with self initiating work. Best wishes.

I think you're right. Yes, I get a lot of info to digest, and I also have some difficulties remembering the information. What I do basically is reading the book more than once (I've read the awesome Pete Walker's book twice now!), and I make a lot of important notes, esp the ones that ring true with me. Yes, grounding is an ongoing exercise that we need to get accustomed to.

I will look into the PTSD workbook, and if you have any other great books, such as those that are comparable to the Pete Walker, I appreciate it if you send their names to me.

Thank you and my best wishes.

[Trace14]

Originally Posted by xenos

I think you're right. Yes, I get a lot of info to digest, and I also have some difficulties remembering the information. What I do basically is reading the book more than once (I've read the awesome Pete Walker's book twice now!), and I make a lot of important notes, esp the ones that ring true with me. Yes, grounding is an ongoing exercise that we need to get accustomed to.

I will look into the PTSD workbook, and if you have any other great books, such as those that are comparable to the Pete Walker, I appreciate it if you send their names to me.

Thank you and my best wishes.

You can go to Pete Walker's website as well. Then there's a CPTSD forum
My Community - Index that has a lot of information there.