Therapy after leaving the Jws

by boy@crossroads 16 Replies latest jw friends

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  beaker

  After being df'd I spent two months in a clinic and then two days a week for ten weeks in group therapy. At the start i wasn't able to talk because of the anxiety and depression i was experiencing. I was so drained from the experience that i would walk from one room to the next then i would have to sit down for half an hour to rest. i had to look after myself because all my family are witnesses and none of them will have anything to do with me. But gradually with professional help i was able to get my life back together. Yesterday was my last day in group therapy. I am happy to say that i am now overjoyed to be free of the WTS and i have a postive outlook for the future. I could not have done it without the help of pschiatrists and pschologists. The WTS policy on not seeking help from these proffesionals is both appalling and negligent.

  Beaker
• 

  Doubtfully Yours

  When I make my final exit, I don't think I'll need to go to therapy.

  I feel fine with my decision to leave and have been building a life for myself outside of the Org. I'll be alright once I leave.

  DY
• 

  outnfree

  And I am also trying to learn how to trust my own judgment and decisions.

  I think this is the biggest benefit of therapy (which I have been going to for the past year, after two years out). As JWs we were taught precisely the opposite: that we were "good-for-nothing-slaves" and that Jehovah-as-defined-by-the-GB always knew best. There was absolutely no allowance that what worked for one person, might be the wrong way of going about something for another. Finding out that I, underneath it all, actually DO have a good idea of what's best for ME, was both startling and empowering. I am still working on self-actualization, but therapy has brought me to a very good and confident place compared to myself as a JW.

  outnfree
• 

  simplesally

  I think if I would have stayed in the same area, I would have gone to therapy in order to help me rebuild my lilfe or help me deal with the situations where I'd run into them and be shunned. But I moved to a totally new area and no one knows that I was once a JW. My neighbor and friend does know so she has helped me with decorations for xmas and showed me what she did and where she shopped and took me with her. I think if I didn't have her support and the new friendships in my neighborhood, I would have gone because I would have felt guilty putting tons of decorations all over my house in the old neighborhood.
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  Junction-Guy

  Well I must say that growing up JW was trauamtic to say the least, I probably could have used some back then when I was a teenager, but Ive since found out the greatest therapy for me is being able to meet up and discuss with other former JW's, it helps to alleviate some of the feelings of isolation. While I wouldnt wish my childhood on my worst enemies, i find it comforting to speak with those who have been there also

  JG
• 

  Undaunted Danny

  I've been around...Many mental health clinicians do not recognize mind control and brain washing.Only recently has the Mental health Bible the DSM 4 included a heading for forced thought reform.

  My experience [6 years outpatient in Boston mass with Harvard's best and brightest] is the most likely diagnosis for Ex JW's is A-typical post traumatic stress disorder.PTSD

  More: http://dannyhaszard.com/managestress.htm

  http://dannyhaszard.com/stockholm_syndrome.htm
• 

  talesin

  I have had years of therapy. Of course, I had some other, difficult abuse issues to deal with. I would say it was 50/50 between the JWs and other stuff. I recommend it highly. My first ten years out, before therapy, I was depressed to the point of wanting to be dead every day, meds didn't help, nothing helped. Therapy, quite literally, saved my life.

  Danny, a good cautionary note. Choosing the right practitioner is key. She/he must have an understanding of the isolation and mind control techniques and the effect it has had on your psyche.

  talesin