Hi Jane: I'm now in recovery for PTSD-Complex-Chronic. with Depression and Addictions. It took far too many years to find treatments that work. I'm now in full remission of all issues.
My first treatment experience was with CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy). I found this initially helpful. But, it could only take me so far.
My First Experience: Trauma Release Exercise. Rapid reduction in a single treatment. I was, sincerely suicidal at the time of treatment. I felt more myself, following a single session. Used a practitioner for three visits. Learned the exercises for maintenance. I still use TRE for this purpose. No 'talk" therapy here. Just a series of yoga exercises that invoke neurogenic tremour, a mammalian response, to trauma.
If it's appropriate to share links? I'm happy to do so? I have all links to all treatments, via a website I'm currently using to provide resources to persons with PTSI: I need to get used to this. There is a push to have the label changed to acknowledge Traumatic Stress as an actual injury to the brain and body systems. The injury causing a 'traumatic stress response that simply doesn't turn-off again.'
Next step. Was to EMDR. I had a total of five sessions. Each, very productive. My addictions issues, were confirmed here as 'self-medication' relative to PTSD. Although following EMDR, I was unable to stay fully clean. The will to do so, was certainly there. EMDR address with me, many (most in fact) trauma's that were work-caused through my sixteen year career as a rural paramedic in British Columbia. I had five treatments. We needed, more but this was far from where I lived. Five sessions with travel expenses were approved for me by the funding agent. We worked, additionally hard on the traumas. So got further in a shorter period of time
Self-Regulation Therapy. With this treatment, I addressed the additional work-caused traumas. We then were able, to work on traumas prior to the work. There were many, going back deeply into childhood. Through ten sessions, we worked through them all.
Mindfulness education and practice. My dog-companion. An intense curiosity for learning. Studying to achieve a helping credential, relevant to trauma and addiction. Study of university level information through open course. All these practices, were brilliant adjuncts to all the 'forma' treatments.
Diagnosed in 2005 with only meds and CBT initiated. It took until Oct. 2013 for me find, trust and follow-through. TRE: EMDR: SRT: Came to me, in that order. I completed them all and am now in full remission.
So much so. I completed training as a trauma and addictions helper and am now, paying it forward. Full remission started in May. I'm now working on a blog and a book.
I subscribe and affiliate market, an online trauma treatment program as well. This program is a seven week, guided course that is self-paced. I have the program for a full year. It was a very helpful adjunct. I continue with this now. For maintenance. So -far. these treatments, seem all to work. In coaching client's towards clinical help. The goal is to get a client into the hands of a clinician..
I've many blog posts on my web-site. I'm happy to share links or connection to the site. I need, permission though, if you thought it would be helpful?
Let me know. I'm watching the posts.
Darren Gregory