[splitimage]

My addictions Dr. suggested today that I think about going IP for trauma therapy. She suggested a well known private psych hospital. My only problem is I had an absolutely horrible experience there doing rehab, which was a disaster. I did do IP in what wasn't specifically a trauma unit, although everyone in the unit had trauma histories, and found it really helpful. It would be awkward as hell with work, but I could swing it.

Just wondered if anyone else has done IP specifically for trauma and what the experience was like?

Thanks.

--splitimage

[darkrunner]

Splitimage,
I wasn't sure if I should reply, because my experience wasn't exactly what you are talking about, but it was kind of close.
I was in a residential treatment center for eating disorders, and I was in the 'Trauma Track' of groups. There was pretty intensive group and individual therapy for trauma work. I found it to be very helpful, dealing with the eating disorder and trauma stuff at the same time.
And even more helpful was working on the difficult stuff in a SAFE place, where there were lots of people there to support me and help me stay safe. That was really important.

--darkrunner

[amante]

I haven't done IP therapy but I do hope that you can find the right fit to get you all the help you need. Sending big supportive hugs your way.

Hello, splitimage. Do you think you would benefit from IP?

[splitimage]

Do I think I would benefit from IP? I'm not sure. I don't think I'm a danger to myself yet, but I also know I'm not holding my life together very well right now. I'm really struggling with urges to drink / SI and my PTSD is pretty bad. My addictions Dr. has a good point, that if I were IP and got overwhelmed there would at least be staff to talk to and I'd be safe and wouldn't be able to hurt myself.

My T - who is a trauma specialist, doesn't think I need IP, she thinks we just need to change the focus of the work I'm doing in T right now to making me feel more safe, and work on strategies for affect regulation, and that it's better for me to keep working as the structure is good for me.

I'm really torn.

I definitely wouldn't touch the private hospital IP place, I was there for rehab and it was an unmitigated disaster, but I thought maybe there trauma program would be different, so I at least researched the program. Get this they won't even admit you if you've been Dx'd with and Axis 1 diagnosis. Hello, PTSD is an Axis 1 diagnosis. Then they go further and explicitely state that they don't take patients being treated for MDD.

I guess they only want happy trauma patients who aren't complicated. LOL.

---splitimage

[AtreyuFreak]

I was IP, though it wasn't specifically a trauma hospital and while PTSD was my main reason for being there, it wasn't specifically trauma-geared. However, I did benefit from it, and now I'm seeing a PTSD specialist, which definitely has helped.

Whatever you decide I wish you the best.