Comments on: Traumatic Stress - Part I: The Doors of Perception http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2008/03/18/traumatic-stress-part-1-the-doors-of-perception/ <<exploring healthy therapy & counseling>> Fri, 09 Jan 2009 13:21:42 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Sarah Jenkins http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2008/03/18/traumatic-stress-part-1-the-doors-of-perception/#comment-7989 Sarah Jenkins Wed, 23 Apr 2008 04:36:39 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2008/03/18/traumatic-stress-part-1-the-doors-of-perception/#comment-7989 No problem, Lin. Glad you found that helpful and it connected with you. I'm also glad that you are asking those questions, and have support as you do! Take care, and I wish you the best of luck and light in your healing journey. Best, Sarah No problem, Lin. Glad you found that helpful and it connected with you. I’m also glad that you are asking those questions, and have support as you do! Take care, and I wish you the best of luck and light in your healing journey.

Best,

Sarah

]]> By: lin http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2008/03/18/traumatic-stress-part-1-the-doors-of-perception/#comment-7985 lin Wed, 23 Apr 2008 02:28:55 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2008/03/18/traumatic-stress-part-1-the-doors-of-perception/#comment-7985 Sarah, Thanks. There is a goofy comfort every time I learn 'someone else says that', 'someone else believes that' or 'someone else relates to that'. Even if it was not one of my challenges, I would find it interesting that so many who have experienced any variety of traumatic events, whether defining moments or longstanding patterns of abuse or frightening environment, share the 'aftershock'. I am beginning to believe that it has something to do with the brain and arousal. It is difficult to find words that someone who has not experienced something similar or works with those who have will not interpret improperly, but the truth is, my abduction was the most exciting thing that ever happened to me. My whole body was pitched at a high frequency. That is not to say there was anything even remotely good about the experience. I would trade it in a heartbeat for the kind of life with average highs and lows. Maybe it is brain arousal. Maybe it is adrenaline. Maybe it is a combination. I think I understand it better. Now if only I can develop some tolerance, even compassion for myself in it. I have met with a therapist whose practice includes EMDR...even EMDDR . I am finding it helpful, though still wish things moved more quickly for me. Thanks again for your note. I am always grateful when reminded it is not just me...though of course I wish others did not have to endure what it takes to get there. lin Sarah,

Thanks. There is a goofy comfort every time I learn ’someone else says that’, ’someone else believes that’ or ’someone else relates to that’.

Even if it was not one of my challenges, I would find it interesting that so many who have experienced any variety of traumatic events, whether defining moments or longstanding patterns of abuse or frightening environment, share the ‘aftershock’.

I am beginning to believe that it has something to do with the brain and arousal. It is difficult to find words that someone who has not experienced something similar or works with those who have will not interpret improperly, but the truth is, my abduction was the most exciting thing that ever happened to me. My whole body was pitched at a high frequency.

That is not to say there was anything even remotely good about the experience. I would trade it in a heartbeat for the kind of life with average highs and lows.

Maybe it is brain arousal. Maybe it is adrenaline. Maybe it is a combination.

I think I understand it better. Now if only I can develop some tolerance, even compassion for myself in it.

I have met with a therapist whose practice includes EMDR…even EMDDR . I am finding it helpful, though still wish things moved more quickly for me.

Thanks again for your note. I am always grateful when reminded it is not just me…though of course I wish others did not have to endure what it takes to get there.

lin

]]> By: Sarah Jenkins http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2008/03/18/traumatic-stress-part-1-the-doors-of-perception/#comment-7973 Sarah Jenkins Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:04:12 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2008/03/18/traumatic-stress-part-1-the-doors-of-perception/#comment-7973 P.S. You will also note that my spelling and grammar is off today. That would be EMDR, not EMDDR ;) See what happens when we therapists have alphabet soup type names of therapies! Take care. P.S. You will also note that my spelling and grammar is off today. That would be EMDR, not EMDDR ;) See what happens when we therapists have alphabet soup type names of therapies! Take care.

]]> By: Sarah Jenkins http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2008/03/18/traumatic-stress-part-1-the-doors-of-perception/#comment-7969 Sarah Jenkins Tue, 22 Apr 2008 23:47:11 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2008/03/18/traumatic-stress-part-1-the-doors-of-perception/#comment-7969 Lin, I work primarily with trauma survivors. I, literally, heard the exact same comment about "a few hours of my life verses years to heal" from a client recently. You are not alone, trust me on that. Amyhop, it's tough to say whats the "best" as that depends on the client and so many factors. What I can tell you is the the Department of Veterans Affairs does know about EMDR and trauma treatment and indicates that EMDDR is an approved treatment. You should be able to ask about it, or find note of that on the web too. If you want a private counselor, you can always call them up when you find them on EMDR.org. Many work with Veterans, may work in the VA, or will know someone who does this work. Hope that helps! Lin, I work primarily with trauma survivors. I, literally, heard the exact same comment about “a few hours of my life verses years to heal” from a client recently. You are not alone, trust me on that.

Amyhop, it’s tough to say whats the “best” as that depends on the client and so many factors. What I can tell you is the the Department of Veterans Affairs does know about EMDR and trauma treatment and indicates that EMDDR is an approved treatment. You should be able to ask about it, or find note of that on the web too. If you want a private counselor, you can always call them up when you find them on EMDR.org. Many work with Veterans, may work in the VA, or will know someone who does this work. Hope that helps!

]]> By: amyhop http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2008/03/18/traumatic-stress-part-1-the-doors-of-perception/#comment-7953 amyhop Tue, 22 Apr 2008 22:44:32 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2008/03/18/traumatic-stress-part-1-the-doors-of-perception/#comment-7953 My uncle fought in Vietnam, and there is not a day that goes by that he still is not somewhat traumatized and paralyzed by some of the same fears that he battled while a young soldier there. His family has tried for years to try to get him to pursue help and treatment, but at almost 60, he now feels it is too late. Does the Department of Veterans Affairs offer resources for counseling for those who are haunted by wartime memories or is it best to pursue private counseling? My uncle fought in Vietnam, and there is not a day that goes by that he still is not somewhat traumatized and paralyzed by some of the same fears that he battled while a young soldier there. His family has tried for years to try to get him to pursue help and treatment, but at almost 60, he now feels it is too late. Does the Department of Veterans Affairs offer resources for counseling for those who are haunted by wartime memories or is it best to pursue private counseling?

]]> By: lin http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2008/03/18/traumatic-stress-part-1-the-doors-of-perception/#comment-7545 lin Sat, 05 Apr 2008 04:52:23 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2008/03/18/traumatic-stress-part-1-the-doors-of-perception/#comment-7545 Thank you for this; I have always believed that my incapacity to move, much less fight or flee when I was abducted by a stranger was a measure of weakness. It was as if my body betrayed me. I am learning that the strength of my character was not enough to lift his 200 lb will. But it has taken me a long time to learn that and begin to shift my flawed beliefs. It is frustrating that a few hours as a victim can take years to heal. I like this blog very much. I am learning much. Thank you for this; I have always believed that my incapacity to move, much less fight or flee when I was abducted by a stranger was a measure of weakness. It was as if my body betrayed me. I am learning that the strength of my character was not enough to lift his 200 lb will. But it has taken me a long time to learn that and begin to shift my flawed beliefs.

It is frustrating that a few hours as a victim can take years to heal.

I like this blog very much. I am learning much.

]]> By: Sarah Jenkins http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2008/03/18/traumatic-stress-part-1-the-doors-of-perception/#comment-7527 Sarah Jenkins Thu, 03 Apr 2008 22:33:28 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2008/03/18/traumatic-stress-part-1-the-doors-of-perception/#comment-7527 Lots of folks with trauma symptoms also have a myriad of physical symptoms to go along with it. Trauma therapists, such as myself, often see the emotional "show up" in the body. Trauma is also very "tricky" and can be misdiagnosed or mimic others diagnoses, both on a mental and physical level. Many of my clients have experienced this. For more information, Dr. van der Kolk is a researcher on trauma and PTSD. If you want to read the research, you can start there! Hope this is helpful :) Lots of folks with trauma symptoms also have a myriad of physical symptoms to go along with it. Trauma therapists, such as myself, often see the emotional “show up” in the body. Trauma is also very “tricky” and can be misdiagnosed or mimic others diagnoses, both on a mental and physical level. Many of my clients have experienced this.

For more information, Dr. van der Kolk is a researcher on trauma and PTSD. If you want to read the research, you can start there! Hope this is helpful :)

]]> By: maddie http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2008/03/18/traumatic-stress-part-1-the-doors-of-perception/#comment-7463 maddie Wed, 02 Apr 2008 13:31:11 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2008/03/18/traumatic-stress-part-1-the-doors-of-perception/#comment-7463 It is amazing that the body has the capacity to sub consciously hold on to memories, things we mqay not even remember. Would this be like when someone says they have repressed memories? Can this create other mental illnesses beyond PTSD? It is amazing that the body has the capacity to sub consciously hold on to memories, things we mqay not even remember. Would this be like when someone says they have repressed memories? Can this create other mental illnesses beyond PTSD?

]]> By: Sarah Jenkins http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2008/03/18/traumatic-stress-part-1-the-doors-of-perception/#comment-7349 Sarah Jenkins Fri, 21 Mar 2008 14:43:01 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2008/03/18/traumatic-stress-part-1-the-doors-of-perception/#comment-7349 Jessie, "Body Memory" is a the concept that the body actually stores and holds memories of trauma. The body can manifest sensations, for example, that are stored from the original traumatic event. What this can look like, clinically, is the body "reacting" as if it was in the trauma again, or the trauma "coming out" in the body first, then in other ways. Hope that helps and thanks for reading my article! Jessie,

“Body Memory” is a the concept that the body actually stores and holds memories of trauma. The body can manifest sensations, for example, that are stored from the original traumatic event. What this can look like, clinically, is the body “reacting” as if it was in the trauma again, or the trauma “coming out” in the body first, then in other ways.

Hope that helps and thanks for reading my article!

]]> By: SALLY http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2008/03/18/traumatic-stress-part-1-the-doors-of-perception/#comment-7339 SALLY Thu, 20 Mar 2008 15:43:43 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2008/03/18/traumatic-stress-part-1-the-doors-of-perception/#comment-7339 I am excited to read the second part of this article. I have found PTSD a difficult thing to help people heal from. I hope that I can learn more so that I can help my patients more who struggle with this disorder. I am excited to read the second part of this article. I have found PTSD a difficult thing to help people heal from. I hope that I can learn more so that I can help my patients more who struggle with this disorder.

]]> By: Jessie http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2008/03/18/traumatic-stress-part-1-the-doors-of-perception/#comment-7337 Jessie Thu, 20 Mar 2008 15:42:43 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2008/03/18/traumatic-stress-part-1-the-doors-of-perception/#comment-7337 Very good article-I enjoyed it. But one question-what is body memory? Very good article-I enjoyed it. But one question-what is body memory?

]]> By: Jackson http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2008/03/18/traumatic-stress-part-1-the-doors-of-perception/#comment-7335 Jackson Thu, 20 Mar 2008 15:39:11 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2008/03/18/traumatic-stress-part-1-the-doors-of-perception/#comment-7335 When I was little, I was always scared that someone was going to break into my house and take me. In fact, my adult fear is still that I will be taken and kept from my family, home, and life. It is interesting to read that, even though this hasn't happened, I am traumatized by it. I had never thought that PTSD would apply to me just b/c I feared something that has never happened. Of course, I'm afraid now that if I stop fearing it, it will happen. The fear has worked in that it has kept the bad thing from happening, right? Logically, I know this isn't true, but maybe it is the trauma of being scared all these years that is making this line of thinking true for me. When I was little, I was always scared that someone was going to break into my house and take me. In fact, my adult fear is still that I will be taken and kept from my family, home, and life. It is interesting to read that, even though this hasn’t happened, I am traumatized by it. I had never thought that PTSD would apply to me just b/c I feared something that has never happened. Of course, I’m afraid now that if I stop fearing it, it will happen. The fear has worked in that it has kept the bad thing from happening, right? Logically, I know this isn’t true, but maybe it is the trauma of being scared all these years that is making this line of thinking true for me.

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