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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by judy1 on June 8, 2002, at 21:37:13
For those familiar with all three- and when I say psychotherapy I think Freudian, Cognitive- restructuring thoughts and Adler more of a partnership; what would you consider the best approach for PTSD/DID/DD-NOS? Or eclectic therapy? Thanks, Judy
Posted by terra miller on June 8, 2002, at 22:53:50
In reply to Psychotherapy vs Adler vs Cognitive, posted by judy1 on June 8, 2002, at 21:37:13
> For those familiar with all three- and when I say psychotherapy I think Freudian, Cognitive- restructuring thoughts and Adler more of a partnership; what would you consider the best approach for PTSD/DID/DD-NOS? Or eclectic therapy? Thanks, Judy
My opinion is all three. I think you have to develop a partnership (helpful esp. if part of your therapy has to do with not being given choices/having others' choices pushed on you). I also think you have to do bigtime cognitive therapy (ie: anywhere from being told this is now/that was then as well as relearning any fears related to PTSD). And I think the psychotherapy is essential (I absolutely hate transference discussions, even though they have always been valid. grrr.) My opinion is that you "can't" do effective PTSD/DID/DD-NOS therapy without psychotherapy and cognitive therapy. I think partnering is good, but I think of the three "approaches" that this would easily be the third only because I feel the first two are essential. I also believe there are times when it's appropriate to have a more educational approach where you learn and relearn how to think or act, but I don't think these should be the norm. What's necessary is trust building and emoting. You'd be surprised how much of the relearning you end up doing yourself without the use of the therapist when you concentrate on the work to be done dealing with the issues that caused the PTSD/DD in the first place (psychotherapy.)
terra
Posted by judy1 on June 8, 2002, at 23:16:34
In reply to Re: Psychotherapy vs Adler vs Cognitive » judy1, posted by terra miller on June 8, 2002, at 22:53:50
I think I'm reading too much ;-). Most definitely I am at the trust stage and some days I think I will be there for quite a while. My therapist talks a lot about changing my 'shame-based' attitudes, I guess that is mostly cognitive. I was so gung-ho after I saw her Thursday and bought these psych books, now all my energy is going into trying not to dissociate. I know- 1 step ahead, 10 back. Take care, Judy
Posted by terra miller on June 9, 2002, at 10:32:07
In reply to Thanks Terra, posted by judy1 on June 8, 2002, at 23:16:34
> I think I'm reading too much ;-).
It is veryveryvery common for people in the early staged of PTSD/DID-DDNOS therapy to read like crazy to figure out what in the world is going on.
>Most definitely I am at the trust stage and some days I think I will be there for quite a while. My therapist talks a lot about changing my 'shame-based' attitudes, I guess that is mostly cognitive. (yep)
>I was so gung-ho after I saw her Thursday and bought these psych books, now all my energy is going into trying not to dissociate.
Try to remember that the whole basic idea behind dissociating is that you/judy don't know everything in your immediate recollection. However, and this is important, just because you/judy don't remember doesn't mean that 1)the information isn't stored in your brain somewhere and that 2)That same "place" in your brain that you are unaware of also takes in the information that you/judy are reading. Soooooo, if you read some material that you have no problem handling intellectually, some other "place" in your brain might be flipping out because something that you are reading brings internal recall of a past trauma and b-i-n-g-o..... you are triggering (PTSD) for who knows what reason, and you start dissociating (DID/DDNOS; losing time; SI; holes in your memory) That's why it's important to go slowly, because you personally have no idea what you can/cannot handle and triggers can come from anywhere even the most innocent.
It helps to read a little and then put it down, even if you feel fine about it. Maybe write down your thoughts about what you read. See if you are fine the next day. If you are fine, then you probably can proceed to read some more. However, if you are triggered by something you have the opportunity to write about it and get it out on paper- which will help lessen the dissociating a bit.
If you are having trouble writing (I hated writing because I couldn't stand to see it on the page), then what you can do is write on a page and when you are finished, then you fold the page in half (you only write on one side of the paper). Then ontop of the folded blank side, write who it's for. It might be for your therapist to read. It might be for you to read when you're feeling stronger. It might be for someone else (in the case of DID) to read. The point is, if someone is a heavy dissociator, that doesn't change overnight and it is there for a reason/it's a protective mechanism. And you have to find creative ways to honor the need for dissociating while slowly lowering the barriers a little. Try to lower the barriers too fast and you end up with hate notes written "to" you, "from" you. (I had that happen once, and it scared me half to death. But it certainly got my attention!)
Blabbering on and on as usual :-)
~terra
Posted by judy1 on June 9, 2002, at 19:41:34
In reply to Re: Thanks Terra » judy1, posted by terra miller on June 9, 2002, at 10:32:07
May I ask how long you have been working with your therapist? You sound so advanced and I am so appreciative of the time you take to share your insights with me.
"If you are having trouble writing (I hated writing because I couldn't stand to see it on the page)"- YES!!!, that is so scary- I need to back down a little on this. Again, thank you for explaining why I'm feeling this way. Take care, Judy
Posted by wendy b. on June 9, 2002, at 21:40:49
In reply to Another grateful response... » terra miller, posted by judy1 on June 9, 2002, at 19:41:34
Hi Judy and Terra,
All I can say is: what a fabulous exchange. I've been reading your thread, and am learning so much from the two of you about dissociation and PTSD. It helps me understand, and it's probably helping others here, too. Plus, it's a great example of the kind of support the people on PB can offer each other.
Thanks,
Wendy
Posted by judy1 on June 9, 2002, at 23:45:58
In reply to Re: Another grateful response... wow!, posted by wendy b. on June 9, 2002, at 21:40:49
I appreciate you taking the time to post and your kind words. In a sense I think I'm more honest with Terra then my own therapist, probably because I fear my therp's response (although if I'm rational there is no reason to be). I'm glad that you and perhaps others are learning about a disorder that is usually hidden by those who suffer from it and I feel very fortunate that Terra has shared so much of her knowledge with me- the kind of knowledge you don't find in books. Take care, Judy
Posted by wendy b. on June 10, 2002, at 11:19:03
In reply to Thanks Wendy » wendy b., posted by judy1 on June 9, 2002, at 23:45:58
> I'm glad that you and perhaps others are learning about a disorder that is usually hidden by those who suffer from it
This is exactly why I'm interested in learning about it. Reminds me of the good conversations that got going on Social about SI a while back. The reasons people gave for doing it were eye-opening for me, helped me understand and not judge, and also helped me in group therapy, where all the other members of my group cut.
>and I feel very fortunate that Terra has shared so much of her knowledge with me- the kind of knowledge you don't find in books.
She's amazing, isn't she? Very clear, very calm, and she gives very simple, helpful suggestions that seem like they will help you a lot. That's wonderful...
Wendy
Posted by terra miller on June 10, 2002, at 16:29:48
In reply to Another grateful response... » terra miller, posted by judy1 on June 9, 2002, at 19:41:34
> May I ask how long you have been working with your therapist? You sound so advanced and I am so appreciative of the time you take to share your insights with me.
About 3 years. Honestly, I've lost track of the time. It might be closer to 4. (I remember early on thinking I could beat whatever I needed to beat in a month, but certainly no more than 3 months. HA!)
I don't feel so advanced. :-) Most of the time I still am quite in denial, but that's starting to slip away a bit. But I attribute where I am at today with a very gentle and patient therapist. In addition to that, I have benefitted from several online forums for mutual support specifically dealing with abuse or DID. I still struggle knowing that my therapist cannot be available all the time or always my first choice when I need someone to call on. That's when my support groups have been so helpful. It always helps to talk to someone who's been there before you.
More in your other post....
~terra
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