Total pages in book: 132
Estimated words: 127249 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 636(@200wpm)___ 509(@250wpm)___ 424(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 127249 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 636(@200wpm)___ 509(@250wpm)___ 424(@300wpm)
“In the event of no apparent physical damage, which is the case in your wife’s situation, it could be the mind’s way of protecting itself from a stressful event or a combination of events.”
Dante glances at me. “So she’s subconsciously suppressing the memories?”
“You could say so.”
I swallow. “Is there a treatment for that?”
“There’s a treatment for everything, Mrs. Morici.” Dr. Chad’s tone is friendly. “How well a patient reacts to the treatment depends on the individual.”
Dante rubs circles over my palm with his thumb. “What do you recommend?”
“I’d like to start with hypnotherapy. I’ve had great results using this method with my other patients, but you should know that it’s a long process that requires patience. There’s no magical fix.”
I’ve read she’s an expert in the field. She’s world renowned for hypnotizing patients when, due to health risks, general anesthesia can’t be administered during operations. Some of her patients have undergone open-heart surgery under hypnosis.
Dante looks at me again. When I nod, he turns back to the doctor. “How do we proceed?”
“I’ll schedule weekly sessions to start with.” Dr. Chad moves her gaze from Dante to me. “We can reduce the frequency later, depending on how well you react to the treatment.”
“And if she doesn’t?” Dante asks.
“Then we’ll discuss alternative treatments. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. In cases like these, it’s important to keep the patient’s stress levels reduced. We’ll focus on one thing at a time and look at alternatives if hypnotherapy doesn’t produce the desired results. Although, so far, it’s been the most effective and noninvasive method of therapy in the amnesia cases I’ve treated.”
Dante’s eyebrows snap together. “So there’s nothing more we can do with allopathic medicine?”
“Not for now. I could prescribe anti-anxiety and sleep medications, but Mrs. Morici indicated on her questionnaire that she preferred to try natural remedies, and I agree with her decision. Insomnia, which could be a stress-related side-effect of amnesia, isn’t an issue in this case, and we’ll work on breathing and mental exercises to manage panic attacks should more occur. I’m positive that these methods will be effective.” She fixes me with another friendly smile. “It’s normal that you’ll be eager to remember. Forgetting parts of your life is a great cause of anxiety. However, don’t be hard on yourself. Trying to force yourself to remember will only worsen your symptoms. The mind’s worst enemy is stress, especially with selective amnesia.”
“What if she asks about events she can’t remember?” Dante continues to rub soothing circles over my palm. “Can I tell her, or is it better that she remembers in her own time?”
“If you want to know anything, Mrs. Morici, you can ask your husband. Mr. Morici, don’t hesitate to tell her if she asks you to fill in the gaps for her. But don’t sit her down and give her a history lesson as some of the family members of my patients are inclined to do. They mean well, but instead of helping, rushing the process just adds to the anxiety of the patient.” She looks between us before settling her gaze on my face again. “You don’t have to feel pressured to remember anything. In most cases, the patient’s memory returns on its own.”
In most cases, meaning not necessarily in all.
This isn’t exactly great news. There’s no assurance that my memory will return.
I steal a glance at Dante to measure his reaction.
A muscle ticks in his temple. “What kind of timeline are we looking at? Months or years?”
The situation is obviously as stressful for him as for me.
“That depends on the patient. As I said, each situation and person are unique.”
He pulls my hand into his lap. “What can I do to help?”
“Your support is fundamental to how well Mrs. Morici reacts to the treatment. Of course, the situation can be trying for everyone close to the patient. The key is open and honest communication. Understanding and patience can go a long way in helping your wife to heal in a stress-free and nurturing environment.
“Avoid placing expectations on her that will only add to her stress. Simply try to be there for her when she needs you. Most of my patients heal faster when their loved ones accept their condition and provide a loving and safe environment for healing.”
I clear my throat. “Something bad happened to me, right?”
The doctor’s smile doesn’t falter. “There’s a probability that something traumatic took place, something that was stressful enough to have caused your mind to block out the event. Sometimes, it’s one major event. At other times, a series of events can build up to a point where the smallest external factor can trigger a reaction. But nothing is cast in stone. The mind is a complex and vastly unconquered organ. Rest assured, you’re in good hands. My methodologies have a high success rate, and I achieve good results with my patients.”