My T has suggested we try prolonged exposure therapy? I would really love to hear from others who have tried it...whether you thought it helpful or not?

To be specific...I don't want to hear opinions of people unless you gave it a go....

Thanks

[kaliope]

im not certain the difference between prolonged exposure therapy and exposure therapy....I did exposure therapy for many months, that seemed prolonged to me................

I have extreme anxiety and agoraphobia....panic disorder.....
my pdoc wanted me to go for a walk around my office building every day, go out to lunch with someone once a week, do something after work twice a week and do something on the weekend. I could handle the quick walk around the office. I would go to the grocery store after work and that was ok. going for a walk in the park caused me stress as did going to lunch with someone. I could handle doing something on the weekend. I managed the anxiety doing these things though it was increased. but then I started having nightmares and couldn't sleep. after a few months that pdoc left so I quit.

[Lady Lindsey]

Ummm, yes I tried it. We worked on when I was Shot. I started by writing it down, then reading it to her, then telling her about it... that's about when we decided it might not be the right path for me.... but my T said it works well for PTSD... she just wasn't aware of the other "stuff" that I had.. that I "forgot" to tell her when I went to see her. When the other stuff started to surface... we decided that Prolonged exposure therapy may not be the best avenue for me.

I guess if it is for one instance, it would have worked really well for me, but because, I didn't start exactly truthful with my T and only told her I was there for the shooting and 'forgot' to tell her I had a whole lot of other Trauma I had dealt with when I was younger... it didn't work for me....... I guess it really depends on what you are going to use it for.

[JadeAmethyst]

Hello,
I just started this therapy Cognitive Processing Therapy and Prolonged Exposure Therapy 2 weeks ago. There are multiple traumas, and the "one" major trauma had to be chosen to focus on. Have numerous writing assignments and reading to the T each week for 12 sessions. This program is through the Veterans Administration.
It seems to set off a lot of old unresolved issues, and so far it's a work in progress.
Does it work? Time will tell.

Jade

I've decided to start the prolonged exposure therapy.....

[JadeAmethyst]

Good luck! Be well.

Jade

Please keep us apprised as I have wondered about this therapy process and have found minimal information here from people who have really been there.

Good luck and I hope this works wonders for you!

[JadeAmethyst]

I am in the 4th week of this therapy. The only thing I can say is you really must be willing and committed to it. The therapist I work with is trained in PTSD. The sessions are 1 hour per week, and there are writing assignments, that build on process and progression. It has so much to do with opening and having the therapist there as a guide. It is a lot of re-experiencing of one issue at the root of trauma. This is a general overview of Cognitive Processing Therapy/Prolonged Exposure Therapy combination that I am working with at the present.

There are other avenues...

I hope that this post is helpful.

be well,
Jade