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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by sunnydays on February 2, 2007, at 20:46:00
Has anyone here ever been in a group for trauma survivors (I kind of hate that word)? I just had my first session this week, and it's hit me really hard. I'm kind of numb today, with some sadness that creeps in every now and then. But it was so hard right after and yesterday. My therapist said he thinks I'm having a 'protective emotional response'. Any ideas what that means? This is so hard.
sunnydays
Posted by Daisym on February 2, 2007, at 22:40:19
In reply to group therapy for trauma, posted by sunnydays on February 2, 2007, at 20:46:00
I think I went to the group for three weeks before I had a normal heart beat during the sessions. What happened at your session? How many people are in your group? Do you like the group leader?
Protecting yourself and your story is an understandable response. Also, just by going into the group you've identified yourself as a survivor. Not such a bad thing to do, but scary.
I know it was hard, but good for you! I'm proud of you for going. When do you go back?
Posted by ElaineM on February 2, 2007, at 22:45:38
In reply to group therapy for trauma, posted by sunnydays on February 2, 2007, at 20:46:00
Sunny, you are brave for going. Is the sadness because by going, you've acknowledged that you have survived something traumatic - like cause it makes it real-er? Or do you think it's something else.
I'm just guessing here but I wonder if 'protective emotional response' means that you've gone numb (like shut down after the intenseness) so that you can kinda recooperate. Like you're protecting yourself by shutting down the other emotions for now? [especially for the weekend] I don't know though.
Were you able to get a first idea of what you think of the group? (or was it too new, too soon)
I'm sorry you found it hard. Be gentle with yourself this weekend. Proud of you for going.
(((((sunny)))))
blove El
Posted by sunnydays on February 3, 2007, at 13:08:56
In reply to Re: group therapy for trauma » sunnydays, posted by Daisym on February 2, 2007, at 22:40:19
> I think I went to the group for three weeks before I had a normal heart beat during the sessions. What happened at your session?
**** We just introduced ourselves. Some people had been there from the previous semester, so they were more advanced, I guess. It was hard because a lot of memories got brought back to me all at once. I'm used to remembering one or two things at once, but not a whole lot of things. I'm a little wary to go into more detail than that because what if some of them read here. Also the whole confidentiality thing is super-strict about not talking about what other people talk about, only about your experience.
How many people are in your group?
**** There are six. Four had been there before and two (including me) were new. It's pretty small so it can meet in an office, not in a conference room or something, so it's a little more warm-feeling room.
Do you like the group leader?
**** I've met both of them and they seem really nice. One is a psychologist and the other is an intern. My T knows both of them pretty well professionally and he says they're really great people. They seem nice. They don't talk hardly at all in group, though, which is hard for me.
> I know it was hard, but good for you! I'm proud of you for going. When do you go back?
**** Next Wednesday. As of right now I have therapy and group the same day. I think my T wants me to change therapy to a different day. But I'm too scared to call to reschedule, so it'll have to wait until I'm there in person I think.
sunnydays
Posted by sunnydays on February 3, 2007, at 13:11:33
In reply to Re: group therapy for trauma, posted by ElaineM on February 2, 2007, at 22:45:38
> Sunny, you are brave for going. Is the sadness because by going, you've acknowledged that you have survived something traumatic - like cause it makes it real-er? Or do you think it's something else.
***** I think it's something else. I think it's probably the fact that all these memories have been brought up at once. Plus, there was an anniversary of something on Monday last week, and then there was an anniversary of my grandmother passing away on Thursday, so it's been a hard week.
>
> I'm just guessing here but I wonder if 'protective emotional response' means that you've gone numb (like shut down after the intenseness) so that you can kinda recooperate. Like you're protecting yourself by shutting down the other emotions for now? [especially for the weekend] I don't know though.**** Yeah, I think that's it. It's like I can feel these feelings under the surface, but they can't quite come out. Every once in a while a hand reaches up out of the water or something, but I won't let the whole emotion get through.
>
> Were you able to get a first idea of what you think of the group? (or was it too new, too soon)
**** I think it will be helpful, and the people were very friendly. It will be hard, though.Thanks Elaine.
sunnydays
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