How do I overlook T not remembering this important information?

I've been trying not to be too rash with my T because I've been frustrated with how PTSD treatment has not helped in the past almost-year of treatment. I retold all of memories and we talked about them, but I've had no improvement. I brought this up with T a few weeks ago. My PTSD (untreated for nearly 3 decades) is about two near-death experiences due to being severely ill in childhood. T said the lack of improvement is due to people still treating me like I'm a sick child and that I need more fun things in my life. I said I think it could be because even though I recovered, I still have had and still have many other health problems, some of which a result of treatment from the one that almost killed me twice.


The next part is what threw me off. T looked surprised and asked "oh, what other health problems do you have?" I was shocked T was not aware of this since I talk about it so much. For example, the treatment led to damage to my skeletal system, mainly spine, and left me permanently disabled. I have countless times talked about how I live in chronic pain, how I have trouble getting up and down stairs, how I can't drive to the appointments because I can't sit for that long and hold the steering wheel. I just got fired from my job and said how part of my bad performance was my inability to sit for long periods of time. Heck, when we were in person, it took effort for me to get off the couch. I also have chronic migraines, which I mentioned all the time and were a reason we've cancelled several appointments. I have a messed up digestive system and a lot of food allergies and intolerances that severely limit what I can eat. I have fainting spells due to my body's difficult regulating my blood pressure. The list goes on and on.

I can't believe that T missed/ignored this critical information since isn't it very important to treatment for PTSD from a life-threatening health issue if the person then was left with persistent health issues and had new chronic health issues emerging every few years over the past 3 decades? How do I overlook T not making this connection?

I had this same problem this week with T. She forgot two pretty important things that we have discussed multiple times. She apologized repeatedly because after I reminded her she remembered our previous discussions.

A couple of years ago I got really upset when she didnt know somethkng BIG. I ended up writing to her and explained why it bothered me and gave it to at the next appointment. She handled it well and we discussed it.

Now I realize, she is human and forgets things just like I do. If she realizes it appologizes we move on and we are typically fine. If it bothers me I talk to her. She wants me to tell her if she messes up so she can try to do better.

I am sorry to hear that your T didn't forgot about this information. That sucks, and you must have felt hurt.

I don't know if it helps, but some people are just like that. I have discussed this topic with a friend who is very people oriented, loves to talk to people and help people she cares about - but she just can't remember the details and the facts! She explained to me that she is very focused on the here and now and the moment when she connects with a person, and also at the same time very future oriented. She always tries to come up with solutions and plans on how to solve things. She never thinks about or dwells on the past, only what you can do from now on is important. She deeply cares about her friends feelings, but can't remember if it was my grandpa or grandma who died last friday or was it tuesday? And God knows what she had for breakfast this morning!?

I don't mean this as an excuse for your T, but perhaps your T is somewhat like my friend? Maybe the T cares but just have another view on how to do that and what is important to remember and not? I don't know, maybe talk to T and ask about their memory and how they keep track about their clients stories?

Take care <3

It makes me wonder about my T's competence, to be honest. I get what both of you are saying about it being human and to forget or selectively focus on information, which is very true. It feels like more than that because T was treating me for PTSD this whole time while disregarding information that shows my trauma is ongoing, in a way. It seems like that should have had an effect on the treatment.

I so understand how you feel. My T and I have a close bond and I like her very much. But she forgets 3/4 of what I tell her. It's annoying (very), and it hurts. Especially because I easily remember details of things people tell me, her lack of recall makes me even more hurt.

I wish I had some good advice for you. All I can say is that most therapists seem to have poor recall. I don't know why that is...maybe they're focusing more on our feelings and reactions than on facts.