A broad palette, if you are offered it
The treatment of PTSD is based on solid evidence. The directive has been expanded, not limited, in recent years. The question is not whether there is an appropriate treatment, but whether it reaches you.
What a treatment program could look like
EMDR or trauma-oriented cognitive behavioral therapy
The two treatments with the strongest international evidence, aimed at directly processing the traumatic memory.
A broader palette if necessary
Cognitive Processing Therapy, Imaginary Rescripting, concise eclectic psychotherapy (BEPP), narrative exposure therapy (NET) or writing therapy are also recognised options.
Sufficient sessions according to protocol
Each selected therapy is offered at least the recommended number of sessions, unless recovery occurs earlier.
If the result is insufficient: change
If the first treatment does not respond sufficiently, then switching to another trauma-oriented therapy is the recommended next step, do not give up.
For complex PTSD: do not necessarily stabilize first
Recent research supports immediate start with trauma processing, even after early childhood trauma, without first a long stabilization phase.
What you can ask yourself
Ask explicitly about trauma-oriented treatment
EMDR or trauma-oriented CBT are the first choice. Ask specifically if it does not come up on its own.
Ask further about a previous other diagnosis
Have you previously been diagnosed as an anxiety disorder or borderline, and do you also recognise trauma? Discuss this explicitly, it can be complex PTSD.
Don't be too quick to accept 'stabilize first'
Ask about recent insights into immediately starting trauma processing, especially if stabilization itself continues for years without concrete follow-up.
Seek free support if you get stuck
If you cannot find a solution with care, an independent client support worker can you think along. That's free.
🏎 Need immediate help?
In case of immediate danger to yourself or someone else: call 112. Are you in distress or are you thinking about suicide? You can call or chat with 113 Suicide Prevention day and night via 0800-0113. Zorgfuik is not a crisis service and cannot solve acute requests for help, but we think it is important that you know where you can go.