Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Support Group

Find support with others who have gone through a traumatic experience. Whether you have chronic or acute PTSD, we are here for you.

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Therapy working but I want to quit ...

SeekingStrength19
SeekingStrength19
I know that my EMDR therapy is working, my flashbacks, dreams and pain have gone way down but the emotional pain is making me want to quit.

If given a choice between the physical pain and the emotional pain ... I think I'd pick the physical. At least it's real (if that makes any sense).

I don't know how to deal with the emotional pain. I don't want to drudge up any more issues/feelings. I'm nervous, as I always am, about my appointment on Thursday. I don't want to go.

Telling this to my therapist will be almost impossible. I'm not good at saying this kind of stuff.
deleted_user
deleted_user
If you can't say it, write it down. I have to do that sometimes. If you are nervous to say what you have written down just hand it to your therapist.

Unfortunately healing is painful. I have been through it and continue to go through it as well. I wish there was a magic bullet at times but we just have to keep moving forward.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Therapy is hard. It really is, but it's also really important for recovery. Having to drudge up issues is painful, but if left alone will just fester and grow. By drudging them up, you're acknowledging them, and working through, which is also really important. It would be nice if there was an easier way to do get better, but there isn't. No one likes talking about sad, or painful things. Your therapist is there to help you gain the skills you'll need to get better, and with their help, you'll make it through. Keep at it!
deleted_user
deleted_user
I know that dealing with the past is painful, but the more you look at it the less the power it has over you. Keep up the good work, I think you are very brave.
deleted_user
deleted_user
It gets worse before it gets better...unfortunately.

Talk with your therapist about it, or write it down like rockabill... suggested. She needs to know how it's affecting you.

Maybe a break from it for awhile, talk about the emotional stuff that's coming up. See what her suggestions are.

Don't give up...You don't want to be stuck in PTSDville forever.

I truly believe there is Hope in Healing, and going through it is the only way out of PTSDville, though we'll still always have PTSD, but not to the extent it is now.