What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a term for certain psychological consequences of exposure to, or confrontation with, stressful experiences that the person experiences as h...
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My mother was just diagnosed with PTSD but not due to one serious trauma. Same with my uncle. They were diagnosed based on a lifetime of "small" (mom's word) traumas that were never dealt with, such as the loss of their parents and my mother's issues with her children. She raised a severely mentally ill son, was in abusive relationships, dealt with me being molested, had a breakdown surrounding the birth of my youngest brother. Was anyone else dx'd with PTSD in their 40's because of multiple traumas? I'm trying to figure out how to help her, because mine is related to a single incident of abuse so treatment is drastically different.
Posted on 06/09/09, 04:06 pm |
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Hi.
I was diagnosed with PTSD in my late thirties, when my abuser died suddenly in a car accident. I always knew I was abused, but when he died I started have dissociative episodes. I think that it wasn't safe to "remember" when he was alive. Once he died, my brain started to remember, but automatically, to protect myself, I went to "another reality." As a child it helped me survive the abuse, but as an adult it's a hard burden to live with. I can not explain to my children why I have "seizures," although they have come to accept them and not be afraid anymore. My heart goes out to you. Hang in there! 
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i also have complex ptsd;i have so many i was diagnosed at age 45
hugs minnie
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As a mom who suffers from complex PTSD, I can tell you that the only thing you can do is encourage her in a supportive way to get help for it if she hasnt already. The best thing you can do for your mom is to deal with your own PTSD issues as well. I do have a daughter who was molested. Her molestation did not "cause" my PTSD as I have had it since about 3 yrs old but didnt realize it until much later. Sadly I thought all people lived like this.
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I only just recently found out that you can be diagnosed for multiple "smaller" traumas but it's usually called Complex PTSD or DESNOS (disorders of extreme stress n ot otherwise specified). It's also used for people who experience trauma but weren't in physical danger (which is required for PTSD)
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hlks: I think rather than 'smaller' traumas, CPTSD is caused by chronic trauma where either your life was in danger, or there was the perception that your life was in danger. I recommended a book earlier in the thread by the doctor who coined the term Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. It really is considered to be one of the best treatises on the subject.
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