[Miswimmy1]

Hi all

I don't know how to explain this without giving too many details but I'll try. For years now, I have experienced extreme anxiety and flashback type memories of bad experiences that I've had with medical personnel. My therapist wants to explore these emotions with me. Every time we try to talk about it, I either shut down (I don't know if I actually dissociate but I definitely am not completely present and focused) or I fall apart in tears. My therapist told me to make a timeline of all the specific events that occurred that I remember. I made this timeline. We went over it in session today. I couldn't help but notice that there was a book on my therapist's desk that was called something like "Complex Trauma". She explained to me that we are going to talk about one event at a time so it's not as overwhelming. She said that she is going to help me remember these traumas and deal with the emotions in the hopes of stopping the triggers from bringing back this flood of fear and anxiety. She keeps using the word "trauma" and "traumatic" and stuff like that but she hasn't officially diagnosed PTSD or anything like that. I guess my question is- is what I am doing trauma therapy? Can you be traumatized without being sexually assaulted, physically abused, or been the victim of some horrible accident/disaster?

I don't know about the therapy but absolutely you can be traumatized without those things, if something has made you feel unsafe, or hurt then there is a good chance it will leave a mark.

[The_little_didgee]

Dealing with medical professionals can definitely be traumatic. I agree with BeteNoire's post. Some of my experiences with medical professionals have left indelible marks in my mind even though I was never ever physically violated. Their nasty comments and behaviors were enough to hurt me.

[IceCreamKid]

You asked:

"Can you be traumatized without being sexually assaulted, physically abused, or been the victim of some horrible accident/disaster?"

and the answer is yes.

[amandalouise]

for some people yes this is trauma therapy for others it isnt....the term trauma therapy just means the person is in therapy because they went through some sort of trauma sexual physical mental natural disaster what ever that person perceived as traumatic to them.

actual therapy techniques used for trauma therapy depends upon what the persons trauma is and what they need in order to heal from that trauma....

art therapy
music therapy
inner child therapy (I am using this term as the therapy approach not in the reference that some may use it in as working with alters ie developing communication,....and others that is vastly different than the therapy approach the inner child.)
DBT
CBT
psychdynamic
interpersonal
groups
individual sessions
hypnosis
stress relief
mindfulness
grounding
memory recall
exposure
water based classes and sessions
talk with a mental health treatment provider
.....

short version there are as many therapy techniques used for people who have undergone a trauma that there are number of trauma's because it all depends on what that person needs to heal. what works for one doesnt always work for another so treatment providers are always on the look out for another technique and expanding their knowledge of treatments with workshops and seminars, going back to college what ever their work, location and interest is.