Trauma Therapy Q&A
12 experts · 43 questions answered
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Hi there and thanks so much for your question. You've certainly have had a lot going on of late My first thought is to always get checked medically I'd suggest seeing your Primary care physician for a consult just to err on the side of caution. The recent car crash was I'm sure overwhelming Coupling
Answered by Jim LaPierre
Severe PTSD
Hi Eric, Thank you for your question as it's one that a lot of folks struggle with. My experience is that a lot of us seek solace and serenity in alcohol especially when we live with PTSD. It's only a matter of time before what helps starts to hurt and it's a downward spiral from there. Most of the
Answered by Jim LaPierre
Confidentiality and Therapy: What Are The Limits?
Hello, and thank you for asking this very important question. Limited as you may feel in your ability to provide her with comfort and support, your friend is indeed fortunate to have you in her corner. It is extremely unfortunate but quite common for individuals who have experienced sexual assault o
Answered by Dr. Richard Schultz
PTSD Presents in Many Forms
Thank you for reaching out and seeking support. My experience is that PTSD often presents with many of the same symptoms and presentations of a person living with a developmental disorder like Autism. Traumatic Brain Injury seems very unlikely given what you've described. Gender Identity seems very
Answered by Jim LaPierre
Overcoming the trauma of a home invasion.
Thank you for the courage to reach out after that traumatic event. Just by sharing your experience and reaching out for help, you are accelerating the healing process. Although many people experience the same symptoms of trauma after a home invasion, each person inevitably goes through their own per
Answered by evan jarschauer
REPLY TO YOUR QUESTION
I'm sorry to hear of your plight. This advice does not constitutetreatment and I wouldn't want to diagnose someone by email. However,the symptoms you describe (reassurance seeking, repeating, testing, checking, endless internet research, etc.) are typical among the OCD sufferers I treat in my practi
Answered by Dr. Steven Brodsky
We Learn to Treat Ourselves The Way We Are Treated: Deconstructing the Trauma-Based Self
Hello and thank you so much for reaching out to me. We are all capable of feeling and/or believing that we are "broken," "incapable of love," "lost," "banished," and/or "abandoned." I am sorry that you have been suffering from these feelings and beliefs. Please know that you were not born thinking a
Answered by Dr. Richard Schultz
How Do I Breathe When I Can't Breathe?
Thank you for your question. It sounds to me like you haven't processed what happened to you. If you're not already seeing someone, I feel it could be useful to go and work through the issue with a counsellor/therapist so that you can come to terms with what happened which will in turn ease the symp
Answered by Rebecca Ashton
Being Confused feels better than being Hurt
Thank you for writing. I'm so sorry to hear that your husband is in this downward spiral. Very good women often tell me that they are "confused" when in fact there's nothing confusing and everything is simply hurtful. Active alcoholics tend to be self centered and very immature emotionally. Your hus
Answered by Jim LaPierre
How can a severely traumatized child recover?
First off, I would like to apologize for the delay in posting this answer. Truth be said, I actually had an answer the moment I received the question but technical glitches and scheduling prevented by posting the answer until now. I don't want you to think that the delay was caused by my considering
Answered by Ari Hahn
Divorce and PTSD
Thank you for your question. I'm afraid that there are no clear cut answers because everyone is different. A symptom or condition may not respond to one type of therapy, but it may respond to another; we can only discover what works for us as individuals by trying different things to see what is mos
Answered by Rebecca Ashton
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Thank you for your question. It sounds as though you are suffering from anxiety and/or a phobia. While owning a dog might be a comfort to you, I feel that getting one in this instance would be like a 'sticking plaster' and not address the underlying issues that are causing these feelings and behavio
Answered by Rebecca Ashton
Delayed Onset PTSD
Firstly, I'm so sorry to hear about what you have been through. While uncommon, is possible to get delayed onset PTSD. It makes up about a quarter of diagnosed cases. One theory is that symptoms of PTSD may already be present, but not enough to meet the PTSD criteria. Later on, further life changes
Answered by Rebecca Ashton
Can "Ecstacy" help trauma victims?
MDMA, which is also known as the street drug "ecstasy" was studied for its effects as a possible substance that can enhance the therapy for PTSD before it became an illegal recreational drug. Unfortunately, once it became commonly abused and illegal it also became much harder to study. Like you ment
Answered by Ari Hahn
Mental Health Assistance Dogs
First of all, I'm so sorry to hear about that terrible experience you had. No one deserves to be treated that way. While it sounds like you have physically healed, the next big task is to hear your mind. What you are looking for is commonly called a Mental Health Assistance Dog. Here is a link to a
Answered by Rob Danzman
When is it safe to go back to a violent partner?
Although research shows that male veterans with PTSD are 2 to 3 times more likely to engage in intimate partner violence than veterans without PTSD, PTSD and domestic violence are separate issues when it comes to treatment. Treatment for PTSD does not address domestic violence issues, so unless your
Answered by Penny Bell
Lucid dreaming techniques for nightmare mastery
I can't imagine how difficult this must be for you. Sleeping well is important for all aspects of our lives - physically, emotionally, psychologically and spiritually. Recently there have been some studies where participants who were experiencing nightmares due to post traumatic stress disorder had
Answered by Penny Bell
I Love You and Can't Just Stand There and Let You Destroy Your Life
I understand your sister's position but her not wanting to bring it up is part of her PTSD. I hear you that she does not want you to bring it up. What I would do is find a nice card where you can write what you are thinking. First tell her how much you love her and care about her and that you unders
Answered by Dr. Shirley Schaye
How Trauma Changes Us: Anger
A survivor of an abusive ex who tried to kill them and burned down their home describes uncontrollable rage over small things and asks why they can't control their anger and where to turn for help.
Answered by Dr. Richard Schultz
Therapies to Get Past Traumas
I am so sorry for this experience in your life... EMDR has been shown to help people get past trauma as has EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) Deciding what therapy is best often depends on what symptoms you are having since that traumatic event. Anxiety, panic, nightmares, etc... If you haven't spok
Answered by Loren Gelberg-Goff
Blocking Out Dreams Doesn't Solve the Problem
I do not know of any pill but I should say that I am not a medical doctor so cannot give you an answer to this question. Perhaps someone who is a medical doctor would be able to answer this question. However, before I bow out I would like to ask you why you don't want to dream at night? Dreaming is
Answered by Dr. Shirley Schaye
The Impact of Early Trauma on Life
I am sorry for what you experienced, and hope that you will find the therapy that is right for you so that you can let go of the hold that this event has had on you. You actually have a number of choices for therapeutic intervention that can prove to be helpful. It's not too late, it's the right tim
Answered by Loren Gelberg-Goff
How Trauma Changes Us: Avoidance and Self-Medication
Hello: Thank you so much for writing, and I am very sorry to hear of the terrifiying event you experienced. Such a traumatic incident, particularly one that involves feelings of helplessness, shock, and fear of injury to ourselves or others, can often give rise to the onset of Posttraumatic Stress D
Answered by Dr. Richard Schultz
Educators Know When Students Are Struggling At Home!
Hello and thank you so much for addressing this important question to me. First, let me extend my admiration and deep gratitude to you, both for being so observant and concerned about your student, and for showing such compassion and consideration to the parent. Obviously, educators such as yourself
Answered by Dr. Richard Schultz
Improving concentration after PTSD treatment
This is a very difficult and interesting question. While your PTSD treatment successfully addressed the external symptoms of PTSD, there are many internal processes that they do not reach. Although, thank God, I have not suffered traumatic stress, the idea of improving concentration is something tha
Answered by Ari Hahn
The Shattering Impact of Trauma
Hello: I am so very sorry for the painful event you experienced two years ago, and for the very distressing effects this traumatic event has had on your thoughts, feelings and behavior. What you are describing is not at all uncommon for those whose lives have been turned upside down by something as
Answered by Dr. Richard Schultz
Too scared for therapy, and sinking in drinking.
You are absolutely right in assuming that a pill will not help you get through this mess. No pill will make you feelings go away, just as the alcohol is not fixing your emotional turmoil. I think you really have a good idea of what you need to do, but it just seems too damn scary to do it. I don't b
Answered by Ari Hahn
A normal reaction to trauma
Thank you for sharing and I'm so sorry you had to go through that experience. Yes, how you're feeling is normal and I'm glad to hear that you realize that. The amount of time it will take for you to feel "OK" again will likely be faster if you take good care of yourself. This means talking it out an
Answered by Gina Spielman
Once Bitten, Twice Careful!
I am so sorry to hear that your son went through this trauma. How terrible for all of you, including your neighbor. You are already seeing the warning signs that your son is struggling emotionally. He won't sleep in his own bed, his mood has changed, and he won't go near his friend's because the gol
Answered by Nan Karl
Should I Forgive My Dying Mother?
Before I answer all of your questions, let me answer the most important one.If you do not feel absolutely ready and confidant to resume a relationship with your mother, don't do it. And if you feel that way, you should get in touch with you mother only under the guidance of a therapist that has gone
Answered by Ari Hahn