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Val12
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Default Jan 19, 2020 at 06:40 PM
  #1
I am finally seeing a PTSD T after nearly 30 years thanks to my previous T. We've been working for 6 months (but still no real result there), but I have not been talking to anyone about my GAD, social anxiety, OCD and depression so it has gotten worse ten-fold. I'm really suffering from all these other things. My PTSD T said we need to focus only on the PTSD, but recommended I see my previous T (whom she knows) for these other issues. I already did that for the first 2 months but it was too much. Both cost an arm-and-a-leg and I'm already borrowing money to see the PTSD T. I really can't afford to see any other T in addition to the PTSD T. It's also a lot timewise because I am trying to stay somewhat employed despite all my issues. Then, I was always retelling T1 what I told T2 and T2 what I told T1 because it was relevant so it was so repetitive despite us all discussing that one would do PTSD and the other everything else because things are so connected. I don't know what to do.
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Default Jan 19, 2020 at 07:36 PM
  #2
I would think that if a therapist can work with PTSD, they can also work with your other issues, so I'm not sure I understand why they want you to do this. I like to think of people as whole people and not a collection of separate mental health issues. All your issues are likely very connected, so I just don't see the point of seeing two therapists. Could you pick one therapist and maybe see them more frequently?
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Default Jan 19, 2020 at 07:37 PM
  #3
Hi Val12,

Its really heartbreaking that you are struggling with all this.

Sorry, but I am not a doctor or medical professional so cannot offer you advice about your therapy.

Have you also consulted a physician? Sometimes there can be organic factors involved in GAD, OCD, social anxiety and depression and only a medical doctor can diagnose those factors or rule them out as causal or aggravating factors.

I sure hope you get relief from ALL your suffering. You deserve good health!

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Default Jan 19, 2020 at 07:41 PM
  #4
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Originally Posted by NP_Complete View Post
I would think that if a therapist can work with PTSD, they can also work with your other issues, so I'm not sure I understand why they want you to do this. I like to think of people as whole people and not a collection of separate mental health issues. All your issues are likely very connected, so I just don't see the point of seeing two therapists. Could you pick one therapist and maybe see them more frequently?

She said she doesn't want to deviate from processing my memories about the events. I re-read or listen to a recording of a memory daily and then we discuss during session. She doesn't want to distract from doing this by spending a session on something else like my friendship struggle of the week.
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Default Jan 19, 2020 at 11:22 PM
  #5
I would discuss it with your trauma therapist and ask if he can work on your other issues as well. I have a trauma therapist but we work on all of my issues they're usually all related.
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Default Jan 20, 2020 at 05:17 AM
  #6
I wonder if your T is concerned that if you start delving into other issues you will dose sight of what initially went to see her for.

I did see 2 therapists for a while because I felt the T I had worked with for years had taken me as far as she could in regards to my trauma. We were still doing great work in other areas.

So I stated seeing someone else strictly for trauma. It was nice to have the two so I could deal with the trauma but also life.

When I could no longer see my long term to. The EMDR stopped and we focus only on life and coping with the added issues of losing T.. We occasionally touch on the trauma work but have not touched EMDR in 1 1/2 years. She is okay with that and us letting me drive the bus.

Due to an insurance change, I can not afford to see a second therapist. Plus working with 2 of them was hard even though they were amazing and tried to work together to do what was best for me.

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Default Jan 20, 2020 at 06:50 AM
  #7
Hey @Val12
Quote:
Originally Posted by Val12 View Post
I am finally seeing a PTSD T after nearly 30 years thanks to my previous T. We've been working for 6 months (but still no real result there), but I have not been talking to anyone about my GAD, social anxiety, OCD and depression so it has gotten worse ten-fold. I'm really suffering from all these other things. My PTSD T said we need to focus only on the PTSD, but recommended I see my previous T (whom she knows) for these other issues. I already did that for the first 2 months but it was too much. Both cost an arm-and-a-leg and I'm already borrowing money to see the PTSD T. I really can't afford to see any other T in addition to the PTSD T. It's also a lot timewise because I am trying to stay somewhat employed despite all my issues. Then, I was always retelling T1 what I told T2 and T2 what I told T1 because it was relevant so it was so repetitive despite us all discussing that one would do PTSD and the other everything else because things are so connected. I don't know what to do.
This doesnt make sense to me and honestly makes me suspicious that maybe they are both trying to reap the profits. I am not saying they are that way but.....
Your PTSD should understand. I think you need to stand up for yourself and say that you cant afford it and the trauma therapy is more important but that you may touch on other things too. Its like 50 minutes surely you can have ten of those minutes for day to day things.

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Default Jan 20, 2020 at 07:49 AM
  #8
I have seen two therapists and it has worked. But I am concerned about your PTSD therapist's treatment decision. I do understand not wanting to focus on the "problem of the week," and if all you want is support and understanding about that then a second therapist makes sinces. But you are experiencing an increase in symptoms, and the those symptoms can be symptoms of PTSD. Bringing up old memories can absolutely make your day to day functioning worse. My strong belief is that it is better to learn skills to deal with symptoms of depression and anxiety *first* and then process old memories. And when daily functioning symptoms get worse again, I think that you should focus on those.
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Default Jan 20, 2020 at 04:54 PM
  #9
I don’t have any advice, just following because I’m curious to see how you end up resolving this issue since I feel like I’m in somewhat of a similar situation.

My therapist specializes in PTSD and is super expensive, and I have at times been tempted to see a second therapist as well who is cheaper, just for day to day support with “current life issues” as they come up.

But as you say, it all ends up being interrelated.

I’m now seeing T twice a week and can’t afford more but my life and trauma issues are such a mess right now that even this feels like a struggle.
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Default Jan 20, 2020 at 05:20 PM
  #10
-You say that you can't afford seeing two T's. You shouldn't be putting yourself in debt in order to do therapy.

-Have you asked your PTSD T if can explain why would not address your other issues? Have you discussed your financial situation? Maybe one of your T's could offer a sliding scale. The PTSD would be optimal.

-Have you considered consulting a psychiatrist? Maybe there is some pills that can help mitigate your anxiety and/or depression symptoms. You would be seeing one...what? Once a month? I'm not aware of rates but I think that could be more affordable that seeing two therapists

I hope that you reach a way to solve this
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Default Jan 20, 2020 at 05:26 PM
  #11
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Originally Posted by sarahsweets View Post
Hey @Val12

This doesnt make sense to me and honestly makes me suspicious that maybe they are both trying to reap the profits. I am not saying they are that way but.....
I was thinking the same thing, but I tend to judge other people wrong. It does sounds a little fishy though
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Default Jan 20, 2020 at 10:42 PM
  #12
Thank you for all of your responses!

I've told the PTSD T I am not able to see the other one in a past session and we spent 5 minutes at the end discussing the issue that was heightening my anxiety that week. That was only one week. She said it was important to focus our work on the memories of the prolonged trauma so we don't lose track of the trauma work, exactly like nottrustin said.


I feel self-conscious about asking for a sliding scale. I figured I should put off asking until it gets impossible to pay. Idk, I did ask the previous T before we started but she said no and gave me a name of a different T who might do that. I went to her anyway because the T I was saying at the time said I need to spend the money if I want to get better and I'd get it back ten-fold once I'm better. She knew both Ts and said that the sliding scale T was not a good T.


I have been to over a dozen psychiatrists over the years and no medication has worked for me. I have been on 50-60 different drugs total and all I ever got was side effects

I kinda feel like with all the disorders I have it's impossible to know what to address or even to try to address it because one thing complicates solving the other so any attempt hits a roadblock because of one of the other disorders.
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Default Jan 21, 2020 at 04:41 AM
  #13
Hey @Val12

Quote:
Originally Posted by Val12 View Post
Thank you for all of your responses!

I've told the PTSD T I am not able to see the other one in a past session and we spent 5 minutes at the end discussing the issue that was heightening my anxiety that week. That was only one week. She said it was important to focus our work on the memories of the prolonged trauma so we don't lose track of the trauma work, exactly like nottrustin said.


I feel self-conscious about asking for a sliding scale. I figured I should put off asking until it gets impossible to pay. Idk, I did ask the previous T before we started but she said no and gave me a name of a different T who might do that. I went to her anyway because the T I was saying at the time said I need to spend the money if I want to get better and I'd get it back ten-fold once I'm better.
This really bothers me. What kind of therapist says this? That you should be willing to spend money you cant afford if you want to get better and that by doing that they rewards are greater?? Its so manipulative. I think you should investigate the therapists she told you about that do a sliding scale- the way she explained this to you sounds so....self important. Like her skills and experience are so great that its worth it for you to be in financial stress because she is so good that it outweighs spending what you cant afford? It sounds like her income is more important than her fragile clients entire financial life. She of all people should be aware of the stress finances cause the average person. Now combine that with a person in therapy for trauma and other mental health issues. Its even more stress for you.

Quote:
She knew both Ts and said that the sliding scale T was not a good T.
This is a huge red flag. She gives you references for another T. She tells you that you need to put yourself in a financial bind dangling the premise that your recovery is worth walking the edge financially. She tells you "oh yes here are two other T's who do that but they are not good so really you are screwed". Then why would she even share the information about them? Why would she even offer them as a referral if they are not good? If a T is not good then they should never be shared with anyone for any reason because who gives someone a reference to a person or service they think is bad.
Its like me asking my car wash guy who he would go to for new tires and him giving me a name but in the same sentence telling me that they will F up my tires.

I do not mean to sound suspicious or paranoid. But I think this T and the other one are taking advantage of you. I think they are guilting you into staying and doing what you cant afford because they benefit. Examine their motivations? In the profession that they are in, they have no business pressuring you. Car salesmen pressure people into buying a car from them. They say bad stuff about other dealerships even though they are acting like they are doing good by telling you about a competitor, but psychologically they are already influencing how you feel about buying from someone elsewhere. I do not like this. It really concerns me for you.

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