What to expect from exposure therapy?

[Silent_cries]

So, I'm likely postphoning my ctb by up to a week since I don't think I have enough will power to go through with it rn. This does however mean that I'll have to go through exposure therapy for a trigger of mine with my psycologist witch was sceduled this tuesday. I have never been through it before so I was wondering if anyone who has been through it would be willing to inform me on what to expect. Those of you who has been through it, how was it like and did it make you feel worse in the aftermath of it? How bad does it get afterwards? Is there anything I should know? Ngl, I'm really dreading this. Don't know why I agreed to it, guess I just didn't want to dissapoint her. Hopefully it won't be as bad as it sounds like...

 

[Tesha]

I can only answer based on my own experience, however from what you've written I'm guessing you'll have a similar experience to me.

Exposure therapy made me relive my trauma - not in a positive way. It triggered more flashbacks and more suicidal feelings. I almost instantly felt out of control again. I was being managed by a trauma specialist, who works in a trauma clinic doing this day in and day out. She knew what she was doing, we'd worked together for over a year putting stabilising techniques in place. Yet, I still reacted. None of this was her fault - or mine - it just wasn't the right therapy.

You said you're dreading it and don't want to disappoint her. You're not doing this for her benefit. It's for you. If there is any doubt in your mind about your ability to manage the process safely, don't do it. Speak with your therapist and ask for more stabilisation first - obviously if you're planning on CTB soon that won't happen - but reconsider subjecting yourself to something that could make you worse in your last week.

 

[Life_and_Death]

is there a way you can start out with something 'small'?

 

[Silent_cries]

I can only answer based on my own experience, however from what you've written I'm guessing you'll have a similar experience to me.

Exposure therapy made me relive my trauma - not in a positive way. It triggered more flashbacks and more suicidal feelings. I almost instantly felt out of control again. I was being managed by a trauma specialist, who works in a trauma clinic doing this day in and day out. She knew what she was doing, we'd worked together for over a year putting stabilising techniques in place. Yet, I still reacted. None of this was her fault - or mine - it just wasn't the right therapy.

You said you're dreading it and don't want to disappoint her. You're not doing this for her benefit. It's for you. If there is any doubt in your mind about your ability to manage the process safely, don't do it. Speak with your therapist and ask for more stabilisation first - obviously if you're planning on CTB soon that won't happen - but reconsider subjecting yourself to something that could make you worse in your last week.

Thanks for telling me. I guess I could try to ask her to post phone it then, you know any excuses I could get up with? Can't tell her I'm going to ctb coz yk... and I don't want to be a bad client so I'm not sure about how to go about it tbh. Any suggestions are appreciated and once again thank you! Hope therapy works out for you if you're still doing it.

is there a way you can start out with something 'small'?

Idk.

 

[Tesha]

Do you know what type of exposure therapy they'll be doing? In this instance just saying you're worried and feel concerned that you're not going to be able to manage any emotions that the therapy may bring up and would like some more advice on (insert whatever 'therapy' coping mechanisms you have already been using - grounding, breathing whatever).

This way you can make it look like you're trying to make sure it's going to be as effective as possible before you start. That shouldn't raise any flags.

 

[Lostandlooking]

Hi, do you mean you are going to postpone your ctb by a week? In that case there's little benefit of starting any sort of therapy I think. Just call in sick is what I would do, no point in torturing yourself. But maybe I misunderstood and you're going to give this a try?

Your psychologist should give you a good idea of what to expect and discuss any little thing that they plan on exposing you to beforehand. And only if you're truly comfortable and consented to everything should they proceed. Then I imagine that a good therapist has the tools to help you deal with the emotions that get triggered. But this is more of a guess than really knowing on my part. Because I never had exposure therapy for my traumas.

I did some exposure therapy regarding social anxiety. This only made me more miserable. Could not stop sweating and shaking in social situations. It still happens. I've been putting myself in stressful situations my whole life and still got diagnosed with an avoidant personality disorder. After a couple years of that I got diagnosed with autism. Exposure therapy does not work for autism, or so I've heard. So I wanted to share at least that.

Maybe there are people with positive experiences with exposure therapy for trauma. I hope they can chime in. If you're not absolutely, entirely sure about ctb I'd say give it a try. But a good therapist and a good connection and lots of trust are required. Start as small as possible. Or ask about different therapy options if you're not comfortable. Your feelings are the priority here, not your psychologist's.