Anyone tried counseling?

[[Be...]]

My moms been off Benzos for about a month, when she's not dealing with physical pain she's dealing with depression. She's spends a lot of time of Facebook but in a non constructive way. She try's to compare her life to all of her "friends". I've told her to delete it and she does but then will go and read it. I almost feel as if she's looking for something tangible to point her pain at instead of truly accepting what has made her feel this way.

 

Anyways, I'm interested in finding a counselor for her to talk to. I think it would be good for her to see someone besides my dad and I. my concern is a counselor unfamiliar with Benzo withdrawal might recommend a physiatrist. Anyone have recommendations on how I might find a counselor familiar with this? They are located in the South Seattle area.

 

Thank you!

[[...]]

Yea I wanted that also more than anything throughout my wd was to find someone who was experienced in benzo's and the wd part of it who could help counsel me through the rough stages. I searched and couldn't find anyone. The best thing to do is start calling around and ask them if they have experience in this. At this point in time I don't think there are many people other than us that really know what's going on here. But you may get lucky and find somebody. If you do find someone I believe that it will be very helpful for your mom.

[[Tr...]]

Benzo,I think it's great that you want to get your mom help.  I have reached out to a couple therapist in my area who claimed the knew the in's and out's of Benzos, only to find they really didn't.  This lead to much more harm than good.  Really do your research.  I know Baylissa Frederick does phone counseling.  She went through benzo wd and is the author of the book Recovery and Renewal.  The book has been really helpful in giving me coping skills and reassurance.  ***I have no personal ties to Baylissa or her business***.  Just thought it might be a resource for your mom.

 

All the Best,

TRY

 

 

[[Da...]]

Hi BenzoBreaker, I see a psychiatrist who is an addiction and I was happy to find him, I guess you feel like there is a stigma to seeing a psychiatrist because I felt that way too but he has helped me out more then anyone else could. I felt that same way but once I saw him he really put me at ease and he is an addiction expert who has seen many benzo patients and is very understanding of protracted benzo withdrawal. I hope you mom gets better I understand exactly what she is doing, I felt kind of envious of other people because I am stuck going through this and they are getting on with their day to day lives. I hope you can find someone that can help her get through this crap.

 

Good luck!

[[Sv...]]

Try NAMI.

 

https://www.nami.org/#

 

I've got a buddy near Seattle who raves about how good they are.

 

I see a psychologist every two weeks, but live far from Seattle area.

[[er...]]

Hey, I went to therapy for about 5 weeks and it was a waste of time.. I couldn't remember what the therapist said after the sessions and it just cost a bunch of money.. I can say one thing, comparing ourselves to others is a sure way to get miserable!  Hope your mom stops that..especially on FB!  Hope she gets better soon, it's a tough situation..benzo withdrawal.. - Eric

[[Bi...]]

I don't think counseling would of helped me much going through withdrawal. I'm not discouraging it, but as bad off and psychotic as I became throughout the process, I couldn't even have imagined sitting in front of some therapist, as my brain buzzed and was coated in this fog. Derealization was so bad, that I felt like I was trapped in a bottle at times. I was really bad off though. I couldn't function at times much. Today, at 53 months off... I'm healed and live a very comfortable and nice life.

 

I hope you the best and good luck!

[[Sv...]]

I don't think counseling would of helped me much going through withdrawal. I'm not discouraging it, but as bad off and psychotic as I became throughout the process, I couldn't even have imagined sitting in front of some therapist, as my brain buzzed and was coated in this fog. Derealization was so bad, that I felt like I was trapped in a bottle at times. I was really bad off though. I couldn't function at times much. Today, at 53 months off... I'm healed and live a very comfortable and nice life.

 

I hope you the best and good luck!

 

BillyF are you in the Protracted forum?  Have you posted a success story?  If so, I'd love to read it. Thanks.

[[ma...]]

I don't think counseling would of helped me much going through withdrawal. I'm not discouraging it, but as bad off and psychotic as I became throughout the process, I couldn't even have imagined sitting in front of some therapist, as my brain buzzed and was coated in this fog. Derealization was so bad, that I felt like I was trapped in a bottle at times. I was really bad off though. I couldn't function at times much. Today, at 53 months off... I'm healed and live a very comfortable and nice life.

 

I hope you the best and good luck!

 

BillyF are you in the Protracted forum?  Have you posted a success story?  If so, I'd love to read it. Thanks.

 

Hi Svenhoak, here is Billy's Story

 

Death & Rebirth (Completely Healed)

[[Sv...]]

I don't think counseling would of helped me much going through withdrawal. I'm not discouraging it, but as bad off and psychotic as I became throughout the process, I couldn't even have imagined sitting in front of some therapist, as my brain buzzed and was coated in this fog. Derealization was so bad, that I felt like I was trapped in a bottle at times. I was really bad off though. I couldn't function at times much. Today, at 53 months off... I'm healed and live a very comfortable and nice life.

 

I hope you the best and good luck!

 

BillyF are you in the Protracted forum?  Have you posted a success story?  If so, I'd love to read it. Thanks.

 

Hi Svenhoak, here is Billy's Story

 

Death & Rebirth (Completely Healed)

 

Thank you!

[[si...]]

I think it great that you are helping your Mom. It is hard on family members as well as the one in w/d.

A lot of times family members become distant because they can't understand what we are going through.

 

I know there are good counselors out there that do understand,however they are hard to find.

I went to two different ones and it was a waste of time and money.

A good point was made, that our memories are not very good so we may not even remember the session.

 

When your Mom spends time on FB she is most likely doing it to divert her mind and this is a good thing since most of us feel trapped in our own thoughts and we do anything to stop them.

Maybe if you can get her to divert her mind and thoughts in a more positive way other than FB she would spend her time in a more positive way.

 

It is very common for someone in w/d to think that everyone has a better life than they do. So I could imagine FB is not a good place for her to spend time, since people portray their lives in a perfect way.

[[fe...]]

Hi there, I've been in counseling, one day a mo since my cold turkey withdrawal. The counselor happens to be a recovering addict! She know withdraw, Esp benzo withdrawal. I think that my success of being benzo free for 12 mo is partly due to her guidance. She can't take the pain away, but she can give tips on how to cope.

      Best wishes, ferggie

[[il...]]

BenzoBreaker --

 

My biggest fear earlier on was that I'd be diagnosed AND treated for any of the mental illnesses benzo wd mimics. I personally would'get rather have rolled around in shards of glass naked then had to have discussed this with a mental health professional. Some people benefit on learning coping mechanisms ad some are lucky enough to find professionals open to learning about benzos. All in all, sick or not, it should be your mother's choice.

 

I know, you're thinking "I'm going to listen to her, who isn't well, dictate this?" But, basically think of her prior to benzos. If she was okay then, chances are, she'll be okay again. If you're going to ask her to go, allow her be included in the decision making - i.e. Who she's going to, perhaps taking the Ashton manual to explain, etc.

 

Best of luck

[Guest [Gi...]]

I have a counselor that is a benzo survivor.She has been skyping with me and I find our sessions helpful.If you interested, please pm me and I will give you her name. She will also offer you a free session if you give her a referral.

Sincerely,

Gilster