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Help with reaching out to trauma support?

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  • chiarieds
    chiarieds Community member Posts: 16,007 Disability Gamechanger
    You're welcome. That sounds really good that they have CBT, EMDR & NLP. I've been reading about EMDR, & it does sound of interest. I just wondered if an online option might be something you would prefer, but the centre you've found does seem very good. :)
  • Francis_theythem
    Francis_theythem Community member Posts: 120 Pioneering
    I'm hoping they'll do online sessions given covid19, or else I won't be able to access any therapy at all. But the one I've found, the website looks like they'd be good at adjustments. http://ystc.co.uk/index.html this is their website if you wanted to take a look. I will look at EMDR in the meantime though and wait to see what happens with YSTC

  • chiarieds
    chiarieds Community member Posts: 16,007 Disability Gamechanger
    Thank you @Francis_theythem - Covid-19 has made more services available online, which I'm sure will also help others. I've looked at the link you gave, which is a great resource. In the meanwhile I'm pleased you're willing to look at more online info. The more you know, the better a person can make an informed decision I feel. My best wishes. :)
  • RAwarrior
    RAwarrior Community member Posts: 430 Pioneering
    @Francis_theythem
    I had a look at the photo of the string art which you posted. What a beautiful flower ?

    Those tomatoes are amazing ? I really enjoy gardening however, I haven’t had much luck in growing tomatoes.

    I am glad you did the email and good luck ?

    @Francis_theythem

    @chiarieds

    @Cher_Scope

    Thank you all for providing the information and links about possible treatments. By helping each other you’ve also helped me by providing the links.?This is a great example of the online community helping each other.

    EMDR was suggested to me by a counsellor, however, I never got a chance to look into it because of Covid 19.

    I read a really good book about trauma and EMDR was included as a possible treatment for PTSD.

    Many thanks ? 

  • RAwarrior
    RAwarrior Community member Posts: 430 Pioneering
    @Cher_Scope

    The squirrels have returned as I have posted more photographs in the Photography tread??

    @Francis_theythem
    I have also previously posted lots of photos in the Wildlife thread if you’re interested??
  • Francis_theythem
    Francis_theythem Community member Posts: 120 Pioneering
    Ehhhhh it's a private clinic done by A MAN >< Umm all my traumas were done by males so...maybe not?? @RAwarrior and anyone else who has gone through male caused trauma do I avoid a male therapist? I'm really not sure (and I don't have danger senses because of loss of emotions like my amnesia)  
  • chiarieds
    chiarieds Community member Posts: 16,007 Disability Gamechanger
    Hi @Francis_theythem - from the link I sent you, I see the man from YSTC is listed, but there's also a female therapist (a consultant) at Tower House Business Centre, Fishergate, York YO10 4UA. Is that worth looking into? :)
  • Francis_theythem
    Francis_theythem Community member Posts: 120 Pioneering
    Oooooh I found her - I will look into this! Thank you :)
  • Tori_Scope
    Tori_Scope Scope Posts: 12,488 Disability Gamechanger
    edited August 2020
    I'm glad you've been able to find some answers @Francis_theythem! And yes, identifying the most suitable form of therapy for you will probably be something they'll do when they're screening you. I hope it all goes well, keep us updated with how you get on :)

    Plus, amazing tomatoes!
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  • Francis_theythem
    Francis_theythem Community member Posts: 120 Pioneering
    I will :) I self-referred to another place so I'll see how that goes, though it might take a little time. I started getting scared about socialising though because of dissociation every time I see someone face to face so I've been cutting myself off from everyone around me :/
  • Tori_Scope
    Tori_Scope Scope Posts: 12,488 Disability Gamechanger
    Yeah it can sometimes take some time, but fingers crossed it won't be too long @Francis_theythem

    I'm sorry to hear that. Is there anything you've been able to do successfully in the past to help prevent you from dissociating, or to gently bring you out of a dissociative state? 
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  • Francis_theythem
    Francis_theythem Community member Posts: 120 Pioneering
    My sister got me an aromatherapy bracelet and I have orange essential oil in there that seems to help when I smell it. But other than that no, I don't really know about anything. It's like an automatic response whenever I see someone face to face or I message someone I know face to face so it's hard to stop it.
  • Tori_Scope
    Tori_Scope Scope Posts: 12,488 Disability Gamechanger
    An aromatherapy bracelet sounds great @Francis_theythem. Dissociation is something they can help you with in therapy. Have you ever heard of grounding techniques? That's something you could try in the meantime if you were interested. Mind have some information on dissociation and grounding techniques on their website, and link to some other useful resources too. I'd recommend giving them a go :)
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  • Francis_theythem
    Francis_theythem Community member Posts: 120 Pioneering
    I've heard of grounding before but it's really difficult to figure out what might help on my own. But because my bracelet helps I thought about getting orange potpourri which smells the same and I could try breathing and anchoring exercises in combination with that? Essential oil seems like it helps. Though when I asked my dad to get some potpourri for me he told me that I can get it myself when I go out with him - but I can't go out because I have to avoid people so my dissociation thing doesn't happen

    Also I found a crisis centre called mentalhealthmatters near me that does webchat and email contact so I thought that if I need intermediate to talk to someone I have somewhere to go to. I might actually do that tomorrow when my brain fog is better...
  • Chloe_Scope
    Chloe_Scope Posts: 10,586 Disability Gamechanger
    Hi @Francis_theythem, I'm glad you have been able to access some support. The crisis centre near you sounds like a good option if it's needed. Would you be able to order some potpourri online? I've just looked it up and is sounds like a really relaxing scent. :)
    Scope

  • Tori_Scope
    Tori_Scope Scope Posts: 12,488 Disability Gamechanger
    Hi @Francis_theythem :) Using the potpourri in conjunction with other anchoring exercises sounds like a great idea! Sometimes it is a bit trial and error in working out what works for you.

    How have you been getting on today?
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  • Francis_theythem
    Francis_theythem Community member Posts: 120 Pioneering
    @Chloe_Scope I found potpourri sold on etsy, and he also does some in a small muslin bag. I know that one's meant to make wardrobes and things smell nice but I'm thinking it would be good to carry around with me. It will have a stronger scent than my bracelet. The thing is that most of the time I'm dissociated I don't even realise it :/
    On a plus note, i have an educational psychologist for an aunt and it's been many days since I've seen her so I can't remember her face or voice, so she became really abstract and I was able to ask her for dissociation resources and she said she'll send some from work for me.  
    @Tori_Scope Mmm not too bad on my own but when I encountered my family it went out of control as usual. I've been trying to notice what's happening more but I seem to be becoming way more preoccupied with it as a result. Also I'm going over to see my (other) aunt and uncle tomorrow to give them too many tomatoes from our garden that we can't cope with >< so I'm nervous about that, it'll be good to see them but I'm also ashamed because I can't control myself/what I do and say because I'm dissociating so much. Also I don't really know what to do for anchoring exercises. Maybe I'll figure it out eventually
  • Tori_Scope
    Tori_Scope Scope Posts: 12,488 Disability Gamechanger
    Hi @Francis_theythem! Yes, it's a fine line between being more aware of something, and becoming preoccupied with it. 

    Ah yes, the famous tomatoes. I find it's often not as obvious to other people as you might think it is. Do they know that you dissociate?

    A classic grounding technique that you could start with is the 5-4-3-2-1 exercise. When you start to dissociate (or feel like you're going to) name:
    • 5 things you can see
    • 4 things you can touch 
    • 3 things you can hear
    • 2 things you can smell (your essential oils!)
    • 1 thing you can taste
    You could try that one? 
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  • Francis_theythem
    Francis_theythem Community member Posts: 120 Pioneering
    @Tori_Scope Today I tried to be aware but not preoccupied. I went over to see my aunt and uncle and somehow I didn't get as dissociated?? I was definitely slow to process things that were going on, difficult reacting, detached from my thoughts and feelings, the world was foggy and unreal. But I was in control of what I said practically all of the time although there was the odd out of control remark. So I feel better about things today.
    No one around me knows anything about my trauma symptoms. I assumed it was obvious that something wasn't right but maybe they don't notice...should I tell my aunt and uncle about my dissociation?
    Ah I've heard about that. The first three don't work for me >< My body goes really numb. I doubt even self harming would bring me back, and I still see and hear when I'm completely shut down so those three would be really difficult. Taste is something I haven't considered before that I will try! Maybe I have an excuse to have a pack of mints in my pocket xP
  • Tori_Scope
    Tori_Scope Scope Posts: 12,488 Disability Gamechanger
    That's great progress @Francis_theythem

    It's totally up to you. If you think they would react well and support you, then I don't see why not. It depends on how you think they might react, and what relationship you have with them. It's hard to know if other people notice these things!

    It completely fine to adapt the techniques to work for you. Mints are a great idea! I understand that your body goes numb so it might not work, but part of the point of trying to notice things you can touch etc. is to make your body less numb, if that makes sense? Like, you really have to look for the things you can touch/see/hear. It's part of the process. It is super hard and doesn't work for everyone though, so don't worry! Have a play around and find out what works.
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