When does the past lose it's power?

I've written it down, told my T (almost everything), felt the pain, re-lived the terror and yet it still manages to haunt me.

It's in my dreams, it's in my thoughts, it's in flashbacks - every cell in my body is full of the horror.

When does it lose it's power? When will I be free?

I'm tired

That depends on so many different things that it's impossible to say. I'm sorry you're having it so hard right now.

try to take life one day at a time and try to put positive thoughts in your mind. i know its not easy. but its what works for me.

((can'tstopcrying))

I agree w/ piercepark. It takes time ~ taking one day at a time (hour by hour if need be) sometimes needs to be done.

DBT helped me understand that concept better, and actually got me in that mindset. I would recommend looking into DBT groups that may be in your area: different days and hours. Some go into it full-time, others go weekly. To each his or her own. We have different needs. But, talking to your T about the idea could be real helpful to you. 1) To get their perspective on how it might help and 2) They might connect you to a group that they know of. Worth a shot!

My favorite things to focus on, in dark times, are nature. Listening to birds and other animals, watching the trees, examining leaves (down to the itty-bitty detail) can really help me.

also, being a person of faith, helps me look at the big picture.

oohhh i cant wait to see t monday other nite i suffered a very traumatic thing & i keep thinking about it so im not much help rite now its now 4 days later & im in this catatonic shock mode & keep asking myself what in the world just took place? not to mention 2 other traumatic events within the same month involving same person leading up to this. not sure what tru meaning of kidnapping is but thats what it felt like & non stop screaming verbal abuse & then physical abuse. this whole sick event was premeditated i was sweet talked into going somewhere to simply put my signature on a tax return check & from the minute i got in the car it started my mind hasnt even wrapped around what just happened & its like im still in protective shock mode I hate him I wish he were dead if it wasnt for two girls going to go to my bed & curl up in warm blankets

I remember how disappointed I was when I realized that telling my story didn't have the cathartic "I'm all better!" resolution I had dearly hoped for. It's so upsetting. Telling the story is so hard because it brings up all the emotions of the trauma. Telling it again--and again and again--helps you get used to those emotions, helps your brain and body adjust to their presence and helps take away some of the power the trauma has over you.

It's been hard telling your story. Telling it the next time will be a tiny bit easier. And again the next time. The more you talk about it, the less power it will have. It's not easy to do. You are brave to be facing this.

i have ptsd too. over the years i have gotten better but it takes time. i still have triggers that can set it off but it's much more manageable now. try not to expect it to lessen until time runs it's course. identify what your triggers are and make an attempt to acknowledge your fears and then remind yourself you are no longer living in that place or time. i can assure it can get better.

When will it get better? I know you don't have the answer. I just wish someone could give me a date, time, place....Something to hold on for

When you tell your story in therapy are you allowing your feelings from the past to be released too?

I think that a person also needs to assess how the past has affected who you are today and if some parts of who you are today isn't working, this needs to be changed. All the remnants of the past that are dysfunctional need to be worked on (like the self worth, boundaries, expressing your feelings, etc.)