"This is the source of all your problems"

Ever feel that once someone discovers that you've got some sort of traumatic event in your past, they will assume that that's the reason for any issues you might have now? I'm probably being very unfair on my counsellor for thinking this, but it seems like ever since I've told her about Dunblane, that's all we seem to talk about in session. I thought I was doing ok, but I've been thinking about it more since it first got brought up...I just want to move on, I don't want to be defined by this!

((((((((((( Rio ))))))))))))))))))
I have felt that way before too, it feels like once someone hears that you have had trauma they seem to not get the bigger picture of things because it's more than our traumas that make us who we are. Have you talked to your T about the way you feel about this? It may be something worth bringing up.

(((((gimmeice))))) Thanks. Glad I'm not alone in feeling like this. I had counselling today, and although I didn't think I'd be able to bring it up, when it came up again in session I did actually end up asking her if she thought "everything that's ever been wrong with me comes from Dunblane"...her response was first "I don't think there's anything wrong with you" (which came as a surprise ), but also that she didn't think it should be disregarded, because apparently I've been bringing up links. At least this time we did talk about other things as well, anyway.

Rio, yes I too have felt that past therapists and other folks have assumed that because I've had various traumatic events in life this must be why I'm the way I am. My thought on that is give me a break. PTSD doesn't define my life anymore than having brown eyes does.

i know at work when i bring up safety issuse they say oh youre only doing that cos you were attacked - well NO im doing it cos i want to make things safe whixch has nothing to do wiht the attack grrrrrr

a lot of things are linked.....

but it is not what defines me
or the reason for all my problems in life

thankyou for starting this thread it reminded me that i am not my diagnosis

Thanks, michele - sorry you get the same thing. I agree!

Thanks, phoenix - glad this helped.

Well, I suppose that's in stark contrast to the psychiatrist who, only last week, when he asked me why I was being treated for PTSD and I told him why, began laughing hysterically and said "you've got to be kidding me, right?"