Healing?

How do we heal from PTSD? I've only been in therapy for 6 months, and we're just getting to the trauma stuff. I really don't understand what the process is, but T assures me, I'm taking steps.

Is there a book I can read? What are other people's experiences like?

Healing isn't an overnight thing. It can take years and years to fully recover from a trauma. I was in therapy for 5 years for one specific trauma and I"m still not over it.

I also think it depends on the individual how long healing can take.

There's no timeline for healing; it's different for everyone, it really is. I can say that it's not unusual for it to take a while to get going. I spent six months before I could talk about the trauma, and then another year doing nothing BUT talk about the trauma! What matters is finding a process and a sequence that helps you reach your goals.

I recommend Jon G. Allen's book "Coping with Trauma", Judith Herman's "Trauma and Recovery," and also "The PTSD Workbook."

" I spent six months before I could talk about the trauma, and then another year doing nothing BUT talk about the trauma! "

This is actually really reassuring to me. I need it to be allowed to take as long as it takes. T has told me it can take as long as it needs to, with as much detail as it needs to have....but internally, I have this feeling of "hurry up!" - I guess because I want to hurry up and feel better. I *know* it doesn't work that way. I just want it to work that way.

I guess part of it is now that I've opened the door and started thinking and talking about it, it's scary. I've spent so many years NOT thinking/talking about it. It just feels really strange.

EMDR is one technique that can sometimes be helpful.

I agree there are some good books on PTSD trauma recovery and healing... I wouldn't do any of the workbooks unless your T agrees...as you can expose yourself to too much, too fast, and slow your healing overall sometimes.

BTW I have yet to fully discuss my disabling injury accident that occurred 21 1/2 years ago.

Personally, I am amazed that you could talk about the "trauma" in 6 months. With my first T, it took me 2 years to say anything related to my early life.

This just shows it is an individualized thing.

The first step is establishing Trust in your therapist. It sounds like you have done enough of that to talk about your "issues."

Also, healing moves three steps forward and four steps back! It is not linear. Just when you think you made some progress, wham!, you are back at step one working on trust.

Just let yourself go and the progress will flow. It is also up to your T to pace the therapy so that you are not becoming overwhelmed and dysfunctional....sometimes easier said than done.

"I wouldn't do any of the workbooks unless your T agrees...as you can expose yourself to too much, too fast, and slow your healing overall sometimes"

Yeah - I was in Barnes and Noble a month or so ago and saw a PTSD workbook so I picked it up out of curiosity. There was this CHECKLIST right at the beginning where you're supposed to check the traumas that have happened to you. Just remembering looking at that list, in black and white, makes me feel sick. I put the book back and left the store immediately. I told T about it at my last session, and he agreed that seeing that list could be traumatizing in itself, if you haven't learned containment, grounding, etc. etc. yet. Blah. No workbooks for me.

I probably sound farther along than I am in my first post. I totally get what riptide says about three steps forward four steps back. It's like I dip my big toe in the pool, and then have to run far far away before I'm ready to come back and try again. It's so hard, and slow. But I don't want to be overwhelmed, and it doesn't take much for me to get to the overwhelmed place

earthmama
I am on my 7 year of it......took me forever to agree with my Dr it was there. That kinda makes me smile as he was my friend too and I kept saying no I did not , it was just bad memories. lol
At one point my dr wanted to give me a shot they use for vets to forget. I said no....I am really stubborn
I have never been to the hospital for it.
Saw a T once 3xs
I was able to talk about everything...so I was told I was ok... alot they knew ...sorry i am rambling........
I can laugh today about it. Because today is a ok day......
All as I can say are some days are good , some days are not.
The more I face things with alot of tears ((alot)) of them...
Keep working on it. Remember you are not alone.
muffy

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skeksi said:
I recommend Jon G. Allen's book "Coping with Trauma", Judith Herman's "Trauma and Recovery," and also "The PTSD Workbook."

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yeah, i have the PTSD work book... we ought to have study sessions.
T also told me about this guy - John Briere - who she really thinks it top. She just went to his workshop. I'm gonna go to the bookstore tonight and see if there's anything. Oh, and I guess he has a website with tons of info so ppl don't have to keep buying books... memo to self, check that out first.

(((((((((((((((( earthmama )))))))))))))))))))))))))
I can relate to what you are saying, I have been talking with my T about my trauma a lot more lately which is a huge step but part of me is inpatient and wants to just get better now.

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Kiya said:

T also told me about this guy - John Briere - who she really thinks it top.

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Briere is one of the top trauma experts and theorists in the world. He has numerous books and journal articles. He is located at the Keck School of Medicine at USC and has a trauma clinic. He has specialized in treatment and evaluation of child victims of trauma.

Good recommendation by your T!

huh! Online i just did a bunch of those trauma tests (you know, the ones that say "This is not an assessment and should not be used as a self-test")... but i was curious. now i'm totally dissociated. but i did 3 to take to my therapist so i actually "talk about something important" in there. so phooy. when i'm less "out of it" i will go back and read more of Briere's stuff. T just studied with him this weekend.