"Dealing with PTSD and Depression"

After several years of suffering from depression, nightmares and anxiety attacks, with little improvement from taking various dosages of Citalopram, my doctor referred me to Inclusion Matters.

I was very apprehensive about seeing a therapist at first, but from the first session I knew going had been the right decision. I was very nervous about being judged or not being taken seriously, but that wasn't the case at all.

The first therapist I saw explained to me the various types of treatment they offer and what they entailed, in a very easy to understand manner. After my initial assessment, which involved answering various (and easy) questionnaires about my depression, it was decided that I would be better suited to a different therapist who dealt with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Through various pieces of 'homework' such as keeping a Sleep Diary, Daily Routine and setting Values that I wanted to achieve, I was able to manage my depression and break out of the cycle I was stuck in.

This built up my confidence to a point where I could begin treatment for PTSD, which involved learning Relaxing Breathing Techniques and writing a Trauma Script (in which you write in as much detail as you can about the traumatic event that occurred) and then Imaginal Exposure Therapy (which involves reliving the event repeatedly until you are no longer distressed by it).

Each session lasted about an hour, and I felt safe and that I could trust my therapist at all times. Everything was explained thoroughly and I had the opportunity to decline any part of the treatment at any time. I didn't feel pressured into doing anything that I didn't feel comfortable with.

Everything I have learnt from these sessions have improved my ability to cope with my depression and anxiety greatly. The most important thing I learnt was to "act to a plan, not a mood" which really has been life changing advice. I would recommend Inclusion Matters to anyone who feels like they can't cope with things.

It can seem like hard work at times, or you might not feel like doing the homework, but if you do but the effort in you will find it really does help in the long-term.