[lostandscared54]

I am about to embark upon a month long (3 day a week) PTSD treatment. It is outpatient and involves CBT, group therapy, journaling, individual therapy, amongst other things. I want treatment, but I am worried about what this might bring.......any suggestions?????

[(JD)]

Such intense therapy is going to bring out the worst of PTSD, and it will also give you equal support from the rest of the team. Hopefully, you will receive all that support and be able to accept it.

Delving back into trauma can be traumatic in itself. It isn't for everyone.

The one main "mantra" I would wish you to keep at the ready and tell yourself OFTEN is that you are feeling this way, or acting this way, or unable to function right now or... whatever you find distresses you... that you tell yourself (and others) "this is because of the PTSD. The PTSD is causing this." It isn't you, it's the PTSD.

[Capp]

Originally Posted by lostandscared54

I am about to embark upon a month long (3 day a week) PTSD treatment. It is outpatient and involves CBT, group therapy, journaling, individual therapy, amongst other things. I want treatment, but I am worried about what this might bring.......any suggestions?????

Jme,
When I finally sought help for my PTSD, it turned out to be the best thing I ever did for myself. It was also one of the hardest things I ever did
You can do this
I believe in you...

again, jme
I knew I could not continue living the way I was, but I was terrified to face/share/speak out about my experiences in Nam.
Proverbial rock and...
It truly was intense, I went back on high-alert, nightmares intensified, and I wept more easily than ever before...
Honestly? Not much different than what I would go in and out of for weeks or months.
I also became closer to everyone in my group--on par with the closeness I felt with those who served with me. We still stay in touch and get together a couple times a year.
We had access to 24/7 help if things got too rough, and I did use it on occasion.

lostandscared54, one of the best things about the military now is their recognition of PTSD. The efforts they are making is going to help so many soldiers and their families.
Jmo, but "early" treatment may spare you from years of heartache.
My counseling was years after I returned stateside...nurses were not thought of when it came to PTSD. In country nurses were some of the toughest, and I'm one of them.

The mantra Sky suggested is very good. Use it, please.
My own was, " I am all right. I'm home. I am all right."
I needed to feel grounded and these simple words helped. Walking and good nutrition also helped. The exercise was beneficial in many ways! Time alone to process what was going on...I'm fortunate to live close to a lake with a walking trial. Nature is one of my greatest healers so the combo of the lake and walking did a lot to soothe me.
I mentioned nutrition although there were times when my appetite was non-existent...in a nutshell, if your body is running on empty so is your mind and its' ability to listen, learn, understand...heal.

It finally dawned on all of us that we were brave when we were in the midst of the war, we could fall back on that when or if things got worse. It was a beautiful reminder of our strength and of our endurance.

lostandscared54, you said you want treatment. Go For It.
What it might bring will be less than if you don't get treatment...
Please listen to my heart now...this is a chance to get rid of a lot of garbage *before* it lands on your back and screws up your life. You will get through this treatment, you will find a measure of peace, you will be grateful that you did it.

Pm/Email 24/7
Post in Combat PTSD as you feel comfortable
Make use of every bit of support you are offered

You've taken two very big steps already, and I salute your willingness to go forward.
You are accepting the treatment and you posted here about it...you are on your way to good things, brother.

Semper Fi

Cap

[lostandscared54]

Sky and Capp,

I thank you both for your words of wisdom. I hope to embark upon this treatment and make great things of it. Again, I thank you. Semper Fi!

[phoenix7]

Hi lostandscared54,

I think the idea of intensive therapy is scary, and all the things it may bring to light - but as Capp said it's better to deal with these things now than to live them for the rest of your life - when I first went to see a T I went for 2 hours every week for 4 weeks - this was intense for me but I can honestly say it worked better than the 1 hour every fortnight that my work set up for me. One thing tends to bring up ano9ther and the more time you have there the more time you have to sort it out with people who can help you. I hope all goes well for you. P7

[lostandscared54]

Thank you P7. Currently I see my T once every fortnight. It is not at all helpful in my opinion. Thanks for sharing.

[phoenix7]

good luck - I hope it goes well for you - come back and let us know how you're going if you have time - take care P7

[Fuzzybear]

[skeksi]

I'm really proud that you are doing this. It will be hard, but I think you'll get a lot out of it. I hope you are feeling much better soon--keep us updated!

[lostandscared54]

I will keep everyone updated once I start the treatment. Thank you all for your well wishes.

[Capp]

Originally Posted by lostandscared54

I will keep everyone updated once I start the treatment. Thank you all for your well wishes.

Thank you lostandscared! All of us are going to be pulling for you...

I'm standing in solidarity with you.
You can do it
We care

btw? if you start feeling really crappy, let it out.
and don't feel like you have to put on a front and hide the way you feel...
the other side of the coin to that is just how damn sweet it is when ya make it through!

Cap