Glitter
18-03-05, 11:23
Hi people,
I'm just recovering from several days of panic... but now reading the forums. I've been reading Rachel's mails from last month, and thought i'd try to offer some support to PTSD suffers here, Rachel especially.
My 'expertise' come from having PTSD, and being fortunate enough to have accessed specialist treatment, plus i'm in training as a psychotherapist, and trauma related difficulties are a main area i chose to study. I have 100 days left in practice before i qualify.
Rachel, first.. to be diagnosed with PTSD, you have to score on a list of criteria, and those symptoms have to be evident more than 6 months after a traumatic incident. Since youre now at 6 years (same as me actually) i think you'll find you do have PTSD. I could post a link or list the criterions if you want.
You have discovered by experience that counselling and some other 'talking' therapies arent greatly helpful with this condition. In fact, youre right, can make it worse... unless the therapist is a trauma specialist.
But there are therapies, and they do work. Some sufferers, traumatised in war decades ago, are finding relief!
Obviously, its easier to get help if you have the financial means, sadly thats true, and private health insurance was the way i got help... BUT, the NHS does have the means, and i know another way too.
Via BUPA or whoever (GP?) some Consultant Psychiatrists are PTSD specialists, you see them, then they pass you to one of their therapists.
EMDR is a BRILLIANT treatment, saved me in the worst depths of my blackness. Its Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing. Actually, can work on Anxiety too. A dear friend of mine has just started the treatment 5 years after she was attacked by a work colleague. Shes had 3 sessions and is amazed at the results so far.
The EMDR treatment IS available on NHS now. Theres a waiting list, but what the hell, if you've suffered for years anyway... get on the list eh?
There are also other specific TREATMENT for PTSD... not 'counselling'.
Various psychotherapies work, it depends on what type of person you are, to what might work for you.
Okay, another way... the mental health charity MIND has some amazing therapists, not just their trained counsellors. They have paid, qualified therapists too. Art Therapy is a possibility, its a very powerful psychodynamic therapy, and NO, you dont need to be able to draw, at all! You can get help from MIND by self referal, and all treatment is free. Different centres offer different help.
Some therapists offer a sliding scale of fees too, so sometimes finding a private psychotherapist isnt too much out of the question.
Well thats my first two penniworth.
Rachel, and any other PTSD sufferers here... remember this... what you feel is "A NORMAL REACTION TO AN ABNORMAL SITUATION".
I know my panic stems from the PTSD i've learned to live with.
Best wishes,
Glitter
I'm just recovering from several days of panic... but now reading the forums. I've been reading Rachel's mails from last month, and thought i'd try to offer some support to PTSD suffers here, Rachel especially.
My 'expertise' come from having PTSD, and being fortunate enough to have accessed specialist treatment, plus i'm in training as a psychotherapist, and trauma related difficulties are a main area i chose to study. I have 100 days left in practice before i qualify.
Rachel, first.. to be diagnosed with PTSD, you have to score on a list of criteria, and those symptoms have to be evident more than 6 months after a traumatic incident. Since youre now at 6 years (same as me actually) i think you'll find you do have PTSD. I could post a link or list the criterions if you want.
You have discovered by experience that counselling and some other 'talking' therapies arent greatly helpful with this condition. In fact, youre right, can make it worse... unless the therapist is a trauma specialist.
But there are therapies, and they do work. Some sufferers, traumatised in war decades ago, are finding relief!
Obviously, its easier to get help if you have the financial means, sadly thats true, and private health insurance was the way i got help... BUT, the NHS does have the means, and i know another way too.
Via BUPA or whoever (GP?) some Consultant Psychiatrists are PTSD specialists, you see them, then they pass you to one of their therapists.
EMDR is a BRILLIANT treatment, saved me in the worst depths of my blackness. Its Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing. Actually, can work on Anxiety too. A dear friend of mine has just started the treatment 5 years after she was attacked by a work colleague. Shes had 3 sessions and is amazed at the results so far.
The EMDR treatment IS available on NHS now. Theres a waiting list, but what the hell, if you've suffered for years anyway... get on the list eh?
There are also other specific TREATMENT for PTSD... not 'counselling'.
Various psychotherapies work, it depends on what type of person you are, to what might work for you.
Okay, another way... the mental health charity MIND has some amazing therapists, not just their trained counsellors. They have paid, qualified therapists too. Art Therapy is a possibility, its a very powerful psychodynamic therapy, and NO, you dont need to be able to draw, at all! You can get help from MIND by self referal, and all treatment is free. Different centres offer different help.
Some therapists offer a sliding scale of fees too, so sometimes finding a private psychotherapist isnt too much out of the question.
Well thats my first two penniworth.
Rachel, and any other PTSD sufferers here... remember this... what you feel is "A NORMAL REACTION TO AN ABNORMAL SITUATION".
I know my panic stems from the PTSD i've learned to live with.
Best wishes,
Glitter