[growlithing]

Does it actually get better? All I want is a day where I don't catch myself thinking about what happened to me. I want a day from morning to night without remembering as if I were normal and then I want to go to sleep afterwards and dream without the memories creeping in. I've given up on happiness at this point. I just want a day free of remembering. The memories are less intrusive than a flashback, but they eat away at me slowly like a parasite in my mind until I feel completely hollow.

Can therapy actually make that happen? Did it for anyone?

[Leah123]

Yep, that's the entire point of trauma work in therapy: to make our histories manageable, to be able to file them away and live with them without having them disturb us so. It worked well for me. Wasn't easy or immediate but very rewarding. Is definitely possible, all that's required is a good therapist, willingness to work and honesty.

[HazelGirl]

Yes, but you actually have to deal with it first, which means going to a therapist and getting long-term therapy. It's a long, difficult journey to that point, but you CAN get there.

[JaneC]

Originally Posted by Leah123

Yep, that's the entire point of trauma work in therapy: to make our histories manageable, to be able to file them away and live with them without having them disturb us so. It worked well for me. Wasn't easy or immediate but very rewarding. Is definitely possible, all that's required is a good therapist, willingness to work and honesty.

Thank you for this,(and Hazelgirl too) I also wondered about the same thing Growli. It is good to hear from others that it can happen. I hope Growli that you find a good therapist soon and can begin the work, and that things improve for you.

[Depletion]

Yes it gets better. Five years ago I was a total wreck, I had to quit school because I couldn't sleep and couldn't get anything done. And even though I've had some kid of spotty therapy I have been able to complete school and start applying to graduate school. I'm also able to accept myself for who I am more over time, and am trying now to learn to trust.

[anilam]

Sure, worked for me but it does take a time... Hope you'll be moving faster

I don't think I remembered much before therapy. It was suppressed but played itself out in little daily dramas, so yes, the drama has stopped now

[growlithing]

I just have such a hard time believing I'll ever have relief or that I'll ever have a "normal" life where I can take care of myself both physically and emotionally and maybe even be not too scared to pursue guys and have a relationship. I just feel like I'm too far gone to be able to salvage.

I just want to lean against LCM and cry. Or sleep.

[growlycat]

Yes, it gets better. It is a lot of work but worth it. I do have happy moments and days soetimes weeks-- that is possible too.

You are tackling this while you are still young which is a plus. I've seen people struggle later in life and they still do fine but again, it all takes work. Good news is, sometimes the work feels good too.

[Yoda]

It does get better but for me it took several years before I had an entire day without remembering what happened to me.

[anilam]

No, you're not. Ppl get through much worse things...
I know it's hard and you're scared but really what have you got to lose?

[growlithing]

Originally Posted by anilam

No, you're not. Ppl get through much worse things...
I know it's hard and you're scared but really what have you got to lose?

The tiny remains of my sanity. My school. My two remaining friends. LCM. My life.

[granite1]

yes it does but only if you want it to