Post therapy numbness.

[Mumstheword93]

I'm 3 sessions into my therapy journey and I am sticking with it but I am absolutely shattered after every session I feel like I've been hit by bus and so tired, my partner takes on the evening routine with our son on the days I've had therapy as I have nothing left to give on these days.

I'm keeping a therapy journal, and trying art therapy at home, as well as writing in a separate notebook apologies I'll never recive.

Has anyone else been through trauma therapy, I've been on an off in my life since I was 13 usually by the 3rd session I've ducked out and ran away. I'm trying to stick this through while processing it in a more mature light. And heal my inner self.

My question is how the hell did you get through post therapy sessions feeling everything and nothing at the same time. And feeling completely physically and mentally exhausted to get through the next week?

Any tips welcome.

Hi, i can completely relate. Complete numbness so I made sure I spread my sessions out to give myself time to process and adjust . I persevered and it was really worth it. Dont feel like I need the sessions now and my mental health is so much better. Be kind to yourself, this deep work is tough.

I've been prescribed with trauma therapy but am waiting for a space.

I feel like this with some of mu normal therapy and usually dip in and out over the years and then give up hence why I now have to go to trauma therapy under the local mental health team rather than just seeing a local counsellor.

I'm worried I'll feel like you, but I also know that I was on the edge of the cliff a couple of weeks ago and if I don't sort it now then it won't be long before I jump of it.

Your therapist should advise.
Tell them what you have described here and ask how best to manage what is happening.

I have just finished block of therapy 40 hours in the past year, in part to deal with my CPTSD.

I have felt totally washed out after sessions, maybe the pace is too fast. Feeling emotions strongly is very tiring, but good you can recognise that and take steps.
Having your OH deal with your DS in the evening after therapy is a good idea, I would plan a quiet evening too after therapy days.
A soak in the bath, have an hour or two to read, meditate, snuggle up with a blanket and a hot chocolate
Therapy can be very hard work, we need to be tender and compassionate to ourselves knowing the effort and discomfort we go through during sessions.

It can also be useful - if it isn't happening already- to ask your therapist to use the last 10 minutes of a session to bring a calm closure. Especially if the session has been upsetting and diving into places that bring strong emotions.
Having a little time to find calm, to bring about regulation, lighten the talk or some breathwork
That then allowed me to step back into busy life stuff again without feeling raw or vulnerable.

We usually have the last 5 minutes of light chit chat about our plans for the rest of the day etc which helps ground me and I always spend an hour in the car at a McDonald's drive through immediately after sessions. I usually feel pretty contained after that.

He tries to make me smile before we finish, even if it's achieved with a bit of gallows humour and most of the time it works.