PTSD – just the thought of it freaked me out. I knew I had unresolved issues, but it was so long ago. Beginning CPT for PTSD scared me, a lot. Each appointment caused anxiety and sleepless nights. Reliving the past is hard and doing the homework was difficult, and then I reached a lesson that changed everything. All the weeks assignments were combined into one worksheet. So I worked through one stuck point, then another and another, I saw a pattern. The pattern was my behavior and my thoughts. I kept looking at things only one way. The way I had conditioned myself for years, over 20 to be exact. While working through the assignments, I can see things so clearly. I believe my age and maturity has aided in this discovery, but I feel like such a weight has been lifted.
I have learned that if I can take just a second, and change my thoughts and approach to things, I do have the power in myself to control my reactions.
I have always been quick tempered, and emotionally driven. Now I feel more in control. When I have a negative thought or immediate reaction, I catch myself and change my response. It seems almost too easy. I know it wasn’t, but it seems so simple.
I feel lighter, happier, and more in control than I have for more than 20 years.
The physical, gut-wrenching panic that always came over me when I saw a bad car accident – so far has not affected me in the same manner. I sought, took a deep breath and talked myself through it. And it worked – no sweats, no dizziness, no hyperventilation, no panic. It was great. 1st time ever!
I know I still have work to do but I am so grateful to CPT and of course Nancy. She is awesome!
Anonymous I&A Client
