ptsd Why Continue To Go To Ptsd Clinic?

[11cvolley]

I been in treatment for nearly two years and I am stuck at trauma processing. Today I told my social worker that I don't think I'll ever be ready to talk about my trauma again. She wants me to just sit in on group and listen and see what happens.

What should I do if group doesn't help? Do I keep wasting my social worker's time just to keep an up to date record for the RO, or what happens if I just go to get my refills?

[john999]

Papa

I would not talk to any VA doctor in the mental health business about my childhood. You did right.

[stillhere]

I did not take being dx'ed with PTSd. So I had a hard time opening up about anything. Tried the group but did not feel comfortable.

Then used a social worker at the vet center fo about 9 months and was getting along real good. When she left I tried the new social worker but could not take having to go all over the same stuff again. Guess I don't take change very well.

The dr. at the VA I fixed every 3 months and the meds I am on now and the dosage seem to be helping a lot. I am coping pretty hood now and even my wife who just retired sees the difference in me. Being around me now almost all the day is as she says tolerable. Ha Ha!

Anyone with PTSD I feel owe it to themselves to find what fits best for them and use the help that is there for us. Not preaching but hope you understand just trying to help.

Stillhere

[11cvolley]

I just don't have a connection with any doctor I have seen for my ptsd. It feels like I'm telling a famous scientist about my HS science class. It is like, "Ummm okay," and it just goes from there. I hate when they say, "wow, I'm sorry". Then a long silence like I'm suppose to say thanks.

The group I'm going to try to attend is the MST group. I don't like the fact that everyone who walks through the door is there because of MST. It feels so public in my mind.

[mekon1971]

I've been going to the vet center for a weekly group meeting for about a year. When I was first referred by the VAMC to the Vet Center, I was a bit apprehensive, but I went. After about a month of 1-on-1 sessions with a counselor doing "intake" sessions (I think this is where they make sure you are the real deal) they put you in a group. Since there weren't a lot of Desert Storm vets at the Vet Center, I was placed in a group that has basically Desert Storm - Today vets, so I find it interesting because a lot has changed since I got out, and I get to see a lot of things from the perspective of the guys who have recently got out.

Even if you don't want to talk about your issues at first, the rambo stuff doesn't always come up - like someone else said, it is more of a social group in a lot of ways. Talk about what's been going on recently is more of what it's about (at least for my group).

After a year at this I rarely miss the opportunity to go. Even if I spend 1 1/2 hours on the road for 1 1/2 hour session.

[hedgey]

The group I'm going to try to attend is the MST group. I don't like the fact that everyone who walks through the door is there because of MST. It feels so public in my mind.

Ironically, when I went to the MST in-patient program, knowing that everyone else was MST was the only thing that made me able to stay. MST is not like any other kind of trauma, just like combat isn't like any other kind of trauma. I felt almost safe being with other people who knew the answers to a lot of stupid questions that come from civilians and other people who haven't been through that particular hell.

For me, I see my VA therapist weekly. He's the only person outside of my family that I talk to beyond the "Hi" to the post office lady. If I didn't get my sessions, I would be totally isolated. At least I get to hear about his new grand child, and that makes me feel a little human, you know what I mean?

[carlie]

This is just my opinion: I go to group counseling and it's basically my only public outing. I go there to help others. Most of the time I'm doing okay, but sometimes, rarely, I'm not. I use avoidance therapy. If I avoid everything, I'm okay!

pr

Damn - I have now met my twin !