Retraumatization - Sage

[kel12347]

I hope I spelled that one right. I'm currently starting step 2 in exposure therapy, writing the word vomit. Last night, my b/f and I rented a movie, and there was a vomiting scene in it. It didn't show anything, but there were some very nasty sounds. Of course, I got panicky. I'm wondering if seeing something like this, and seeing the pile of vomit in Las Vegas, can retraumatize me. I'm also wondering what I'm supposed to do regarding things like this. I know some of the stuff simply can't be avoided (I can't control whether someone vomited where I'm going to be walking), but should I be avoiding things that are higher on my hierarchy until I'm ready for them? Like should I be screening every movie before I watch it, etc? Or is that avoidance just strengthening the phobia (like it's not already strong enough to begin with). Obviously I'm not going to run into the detox unit of a drug treatment center on purpose, I'm just wondering about the things that just come up in daily life (movies, etc).


Thanks.


Edited by: kel12347

[leese]

WOW!


I admire you for doing exposure therapy!


I wish I was that strong!


-Lisa

[kel12347]

Thanks Lisa! Following Sage's hierarchy, it's not that hard. In fact, it starts out really easy (I wasn't even bothered by the stick man with the line coming out of his mouth, and seeing the word vomit (by itself, anyway) doesn't bother me much either. Reading it in a story is more anxiety-provoking, but I'll be working on that next. I'm just at the point where I will do ANYTHING to get rid of this. But seriously, Sage's hierarchy is great, I bet youcould handle step 1.

[sage]

Hi Kel,


This is a very good point you raise. And really, only you know the answer. Therapists differ slightly in what they recommend as well. You will want to talk with your own about this very thing.


Bourne, in his "Anxiety and Phobia Workbook" says if you rate your fear on an SUD ("subjective units of disturbance) scale of 0-10 where 0 is no anxiety and 10 is too overwhelming to cope with (full-blown panic attack, feels like you're dying, gotta run like hell) then you don't want to get much above a 6 or 7. That's the area that will "re-wire" the brain to realize you're ok, but not retraumatize.


My own therapist has me work constantly in the "not above 4" area, because he believes the best learning takes place there.


But I really got the best results with my previous therapist, working in the 6-7 range. FOR SURE if you're above, or even at 7, you're risking retraumatization.


So it's up to you. How bad is seeing it on TV for you? (For me, at one point, it would have gone way above 7 - no wonder if didn't help).


I also think, IF YOU'RE ACTIVELY WORKING IN THERAPY (which YOU are) then why not give yourself a "break" in life, generally, and don't think you have to be doing exposure 24/7. Why not screen movies for a time? The idea is...you'll get to the point soon where you don't have to do that.


But generally, avoidance is NOT recommended - for most folks, anyway. Avoidance is what CAUSES phobias.


So....hope this is helpful...sorry I couldn't be more "definite". But talk it over with your therapist! He or she knows you best!