Therapy for PTSD

[pepperbird]

Simply put, if you have issues with combat related PTSD and sought assistance from a therapist, did EMDR (sp?) helpful?

[d0nnivain]

I don't have combat PTSD but was diagnosed with PTSD years ago from other stressors. I got through it with CBT. I have been given some EMDR input exercises. When that treadmill / hamster wheel starts spinning & I can't get off I am supposed to do deep breathing, recite my mantra & toss a small object back & forth from my right hand to my left. It does bring me back in that moment.

 

I do know a few Veterans who have benefited from EMDR. It is available at the VA. If you are feeling stressed / anxious / lost give it a try.

 

Hang in there!

[preraph]

I got through it by happening to read my old journal. Remembered who I was and how I got there -- and got back to it. I think you have to overwrite the endless loop of thoughts by making new experiences happen and new thoughts, even though you often do not feel like it! I think that's important, but it's not a cure-all. Plenty of combat veterans can attest to that, nice families, and still can't shake it. I read one thing that said one study suggested it took about 9 years IF it was going to resolve, and coincidentally, that's how long mine too, but again, I got lucky and had to look something up in my journal and ended up finding myself.

[Gothis6]

I know that this was not really the question but my husband has combat ptsd and it got much better thanks to a combination of CBT and antidepressants. He used to be suicidal and now he isn’t anymore. I started a thread about this today.

 

I know people who really liked EMDR.

 

Combat PTSD can get much better. I have seen this. Do not give up.

 

Is he in contact with other vets btw?

 

 

Edited December 27, 2019 by Gothis6