Dave has an affinity with PTSD, often being woken by night terrors in childhood. He thought everyone’s dad woke screaming, he was 7 before he learned that this wasn’t normal & in his mid-teens before dad opened up and told him of the atrocities endured in Burma. It was apparent that the lessons learned in WW1 offered little to no support for many returning from WW2. Society is far more caring now, but there is still a need for more to be done.
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PTSD & Beekeeping - a route to recovery
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The therapeutic use of Beekeeping as an effective treatment for PTSD is accepted worldwide. There are many differing thoughts both from clients and health care professionals on why it works, but all who have seen the effect that bees have in assisting recovery from PTSD have one united opinion, and this is that for many, it does work.
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​There's a common theme mentioned by most recovering clients, voiced in many ways, but each is on the theme of distraction. It appears that these small, sophisticated insects command such concentration when you enter their space, that all other matters are put on hold. It may well be the ‘sting fear’ that does this, or simply the awe inducing experience of being unconditionally accepted into their world, or maybe a combination of many things, as many things are happening in a beehive in unison.
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​Once an individual realises that their presence in a colony is accepted, the fear of 50,000+ stings being so close fades away and it becomes a truly immersive experience, and these non-judgemental insects draw the watcher in to their busy world where nothing appears to rest, but is restful. Few are in a rush to end their first visit, although some need a little time to process the event, the majority are eager for more.
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​Take a look at the many YouTube videos on bees and PTSD, listen to the claims - the same positives ring out, here are just a few.
Brings about a sense of calm
Restoring a sense of purpose
Decreased need for medication
Relief of symptoms
Brought the ability to develop mindfulness
The gentle hum of the bees unclutters thoughts
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PTSD affects each individual differently, so it follows that the road to recovery needs to be a bespoke affair. At Dave with the Bees you’ll find a flexible approach. Starting with one session of three hours, the client shown video of bees working on comb and can begin to learn of the complex structure of their society. This is followed by spending time on a live hive where the client can begin to relax in this whole new environment where most find those three hours apparently evaporate. The client is then able to take post-session ‘decompression time’ of as many hours, days or weeks as they need to decide if they wish to continue with beekeeping as a therapy. This decision can of course be made by the client consulting with their mental health professional. How many sessions is an unknown, but hopefully the client will soon decide that beekeeping is the way forward. The next step being to book a two-day course on the many aspects needed to become a competent beekeeper and be able to commence enjoying the immersive and rewarding activity of beekeeping at home, where the clients’ own bees can commence to work their magic on inner peace and ultimately, recovery.
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If you would like any further info, or make a booking, please mail in using this link. Dave offers 1-2-1 treatment to suit the individual in Guildford, Surrey, all services are competitively priced and there are loan bee suits for use so there is no advance spend. The beekeeping season runs from mid-late April to August.
There are several hotels within 3 miles or so, simply ask for hotel info and details will be mailed to you.
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