I've got PTSD from childhood trauma. I had a major trigger 10 days ago. Since then, I've seriously gotten my ass kicked. I saw both my regular shrink this week as well as my trauma specialist. I'm doing a little better, but I'm still a single cross-eyed look away from bursting into tears. I just needed to tell someone and know that someone cares. Thanks.
Hi Bear, If you're a hugger (*hug*) otherwise just wanted to let you know that you weren't alone. I'm in the same club for the same reason. I really hope you found one of the good therapists I wouldn't have finished school if I hadn't found one myself. I think everyone's manifests differently. With me (again same as you it's gotten a lot better and I can function great now) it was more everything melting away and me going off into my own little world so to speak. But yeah you're right, it's just amazing how much day to day stuff can set it off. If you wanna talk about what happened here you sure can but don't feel like you have to or anything. Otherwise I just wanted to say that you're really great even for sharing that you have this about you with people! Even if it's anonymous on the internet. It's still not an easy thing to talk about with people. I really think the closet for this kind of stuff is just as bad for you as the LGBT closet and a lot of us are just as scared to come out. I really hope things get better for you, keep us posted?
I know how you feel, I'm in the same situation currently. The event that caused me to get PTSD occurred during school and now, sadly, I've been back in school since tuesday. Continue seeing speacilists, it really does help. Spend some time trying to find coping techniques that really work for you.
Thanks everyone. I AM a big hugger. I'm incredibly tactile and rarely do I ever get someone to touch me (even in a non-sexual way). Here's the thing with my PTSD, we're not exactly sure what's the cause of it. I don't remember much before the age of 10 (i.e. 2-3 memories). However, when they did a test on me, out of the 11 questions, I answered yes to 10 of them. If you had more than 1, you have PTSD, lol. I'm working with a regular shrink as well as a trauma specialist who specializes in EMDR. Whenever we do an EMDR session, it makes things better. But right now, I don't have the money to pay for my shrinks, so I have to be careful how much I see them.
PTSD is really tough to deal with even if you know what caused it. I grew up very abused. I had terrible social issues from the abuse and even 15 years removed from my abusers I still have episodes. I was driving through the country yesterday and I spotted a field being harvested. My body completely freaked out. I couldn't breathe, my head hurt and I felt panicked. I had to pull over, deep breathe and jam some music to gain control of myself. I have tried medication and shrinks, they help a lot. BUT you need to find something for YOU. Find someone you can trust to hold you. Find music to distract you but most importantly, find the inner strength to tell yourself that you are better than anything that could bring you down. You made it past the event(s) that triggered the PTSD, you survived it. No matter what it is you are better that it. Hope I can help, even if just a little.
Thanks Red. I have to laugh because you mentioned finding someone I trust hold me. I can't tell you how much that would help me. I am INCREDIBLY tactile. Human touch is like oxygen to me. Unfortunately, I haven't been held in almost 7 months. Honestly, the only one I get hugs from are my daughter. And while that helps, it's not what I need. I struggle so much feeling safe and secure. I can't remember the last time I felt safe.
