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What Am I Running From? — Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE)

In this video, part 2 of 5, Veteran Frederick Gantt shares a snapshot of his experience with Prolonged Exposure therapy (PE), a type of PTSD treatment.

Transcript

(traffic sounds)

- [Voiceover] Coming to the VA to get help

was a bit difficult, because people who

never put on a uniform were treating me.

This was my mindset:

"What could you tell me that could help me,

"when you've never put on a uniform,

"never picked up a M16,

"I doubt, if I gave you a grenade, you would know

"how to pull the pin."

(somber keyboard music)

Going into the process, first I had to write out

what am I avoiding, what am I running from?

When I got to the part of my emotional feelings

towards Middle Easterners, I went through

at least two or three pencils, because of the anger.

I was breaking the lead, breaking the pencil,

going through the paper.

I was offended.

I was upset.

I don't even think I stayed this full session.

How could my core be damaged like this?

My whole center was disturbed off of a war.

After the first session, I canceled a couple appointments.

And assessing how difficult it is to live this way,

with a lot of prayer, and my wife's support,

and my pastor's support, I made up in my mind

that if I'm gonna do this, I'm gonna do it right.

And I'm gonna do it all the way.

Because I can't live like this.

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