Iin, that my doctor made my symptoms worsen?

75% Normal
8 Comments

For what was a relatively short period of time, I saw a therapist mainly for past sexual abuse. During my period of seeing this person, I never questioned this person methods, even though I didn't seem to be getting better. In fact, while I was seeing this person, the symptoms of my past trauma increasingly worsened. I was just about always being assaulted with extremely persistent flashbacks. My life became more difficult than it already was. Interestingly enough, my symptoms of past abuse went away sometime after I stopped seeing this person. They went away on their own. They haven't interfered with my life since.

Is any of that normal? Could it be possible that my doctor reopened and worsened the wounds of my trauma?

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75% Normal
Based on 12 votes (9 yes)
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Comments ( 8 )
  • DumBelle
    9 years ago | pl

    You appear to be reliving the experiences; sometimes discussing horrible (past trauma) does the opposite of what "getting it off your chest" is intended to do for you. Instead of releasing pint up emotions/talking about it for therapeutic input, it just resurfaces the memories and causes more harm, than "beneficial" tactics that are implemented.

    When discussion of your least favorite memories arise, it can place them at the forefront of your thoughts and for many it just makes it worse, dwelling, depression, unwanted attention to someone/something you most likely want to forget. Although it is unhealthy at times to ignore pain/traumatic experiences, often times one needs to be in a very good place and mindset, to endure that kind of stress (that talking about caused) Try to lay off talking about it, until you're ready. Therapists are "strangers" after all, it could be more helpful to wait for someone you want to tell and cares deeply/would empathize and be there as emotional support, after all is said and done. If you wish to keep it private, as most prefer the anonymous help, then wait until you're ready and willing to handle the painful reiteration, of such awful memories.

    Sorry for your experiences, hopefully you feel better and can conquer the painful scar something like that leaves.

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    • Anonymous Post Author
      9 years ago

      I don't intend to ever talk about it again. Talking about it could've gotten me killed! I took up a religion, it has helped me so much. So much more than that lazy and horrible person ever did. That person never utilized proper techniques to help me cope and heal. This person never gave me enough time. They pushed me into talking about these things. They pushed me into launching an investigation and to press charges. A part of me feels like crying right now. I wish I never saw them. They knew that I was a vulnerable person at that time and they did everything in their power to keep me seeing them, even when the relationship became dysfunctional and they knew that they were unqualified. I feel like they manipulated me into believing that they knew best, etc. I wasted so much time, money, and emotions on this pathetic excuse for an human being.

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  • [Old Memory]
    9 years ago

    I think therapists can often cause more harm than good. It sounds like you had a pretty bad one.

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  • [Old Memory]
    9 years ago

    You don't need religion to find inner peace.

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  • thegypsysailor
    9 years ago

    Or it's completely possible that the therapy worked, don't you think? Absolutely no one can "fix" you, but you can be steered in the right direction. Perhaps you had to get all those feelings out in the open, before you could face them down and overcome the trauma. You might actually been lucky enough to get one of the good therapists, not some pill pushing quack.

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    • Anonymous Post Author
      9 years ago

      This person really didn't help me. This person had no respect for me. This person pushed pills onto me and got mad at me when I said that it went against my beliefs. The doctor told me that I was lying about health conditions, even ones that I had been diagnosed for and once attempted to convince me that I was gay. (I am not)

      This person had a questionable practice, with questionable methods. Sometimes, I wonder if I should report this person, but I'm a little worried about doing that.

      Going to this person made everything worse. This person claimed to be an expert in many fields, when really they knew nothing.

      I got better of my own accord. I managed to pick up and work things out that this person was unable to find. (I was very open with this doctor) Finding and taking up a religion further helped me to find peace.

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      • Riddler
        9 years ago

        Well many doctors think reliving the trauma helps you get over it. As well as that many of them are just drug pushers and will resort to pills before ever giving any real therapy or attempting to give you coping skills. Most of the field is a huge joke.

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      • thegypsysailor
        9 years ago

        Well shut the fuck up, thegypsysailor! That's exactly what I get for giving an opinion based on an OP's post. Given all this added info, well, don't I feel the fool! Too bad it wasn't in the original post. Oh well.

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