Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Support Group

Have you been in a psychiatric ward before? If you are desperate it might be a good idea but be warned, they aren't the most empathetic or compassionate of places.

Perhaps you could make another appointment with your psych and explain how you've been feeling?

It's so hard to find what is best when you are feeling so overwhelmed. Big hugs.

Kapsha,

I know and understand. I truly do. I am so sorry. I, myself, am just returning home. I was bombarded with reminders of the second rape. I am doing everything I can to hold myself together. My head hurts, I'm on hyper-high alert, I feel like puking, and I feel petrified! I feel like I'm going to lose it.

Think about the consequences. You can admit yourself for evaluation, but what are they probably going to tell you? What are they going to do that your counselors aren't already doing? You're seeing two counselors. They'll probably suggest or push meds.

If you don't want this, you will have to get a grip and take some action on your own. But you know yourself the best. Just consider the consequences. Ask yourself what you think it will accomplish.

I have believed for some time that you should seriously re-think your career. I know you are enjoying the sense of security from a stable job, and perhaps reward from the humanitarian aspects of your work; but it is hurting you.

I am also facing a transition. I am scared. I don't know what to do. What just happened did not help. I feel like hiking right now. I want to get OUT so badly. But I know I am not rational right now.

Let's start with asking ourselves what we need right now!? Right this moment?

I need to recollect myself. To pull out of this spiral. I can't think straight. I just talked with my neighbor and I started blocking out. I need to get a grip. To pull out of this funk.

Samadian I have never been in a psych ward before. I think the hospital I was thinking about was more like a "counseling center" type place. One that has in-patients (if that makes any sense) I do agree that I need to call my psych Monday. I see the therapist on Tuesday. That you so much for the hug.

phlox I agree that I need to find another career. As hard as it's going to be I'm gonna have to. If I don't it's going to kill me. You are right. I do need to get a grip. If I try and think what I need right now I come up blank.

What I really need...to be honest...is for God to come and sit beside me and explain all my why's. My why's will never have an answer. I don't think anyone can explain to me why people suffer (like I see at work).

Kapsha,

Would it at all be possible to take a vacation? A leave of absence?

The loss of my job has produced a mixed bag of emotion. While I am relieved to be out of that environment, I am also grieving and scared to death with all of the uncertainty. The triggering in the process makes it so unbearable. I feel a bit better now. I told myself that I would give myself time to collect. I cannot be rational In the midst of it. Point being, sometimes if we can just pull ourselves away from it, our energy can shift and ideas can flow. Because of the highly emotional nature of your work, it seems to me it would be a sort've emotional vacuum. Am I right?

Maybe the mental hospital option can be substituted for a short sabatical. A retreat...during which time your energy might be freed for more constructive and tactical thinking. In as much as I am so scared right now, my full energy Is now focussed on solutions. Makes sense?

For me, the dark clouds start immediately following triggering. I do my best, but I am also aware that it usually passes after no more than five hours.

More than anything, I hope that you are able to find the space to consider all things very carefully, and to make a plan for yourself. I care about what impact your work has on you. I think I mentioned before, I have worked in law enforcement. I have a lot of respect for people who serve in those positions, but even you once said something to me once (something to the effect of), "You'll be better for other people when you take care of yourself."
Fact! Even the best counselors are in counseling themselves.

Kapsha:
I'm so sorry for the pain you are going through. I know it well. Last fall I was so upset that I spent a night in a local mental hospital. It was terrible; it re-traumatized me. But then a number of people recommended the trauma unit at Sheppard Pratt Hospital near Baltimore. I went for two weeks and it was one of the best things I ever did. I would have stayed longer (I have small children too) if my insurance would have paid for it. This program is so wonderful -- the best part is that the staff is specially trained in helping with PTSD and DID, and the other patients are so supportive and truly understand what it is like to live like this. If your insurance would cover it, I highly recommend it. It broke my heart to leave the kids, but they were in good hands and I needed to take care of myself. So do you.

Hope this helps,
Clair

Kapsha,

BTW, asking God for help and guidance is also a very good thing. I do this daily. We don't often talk about our faith in Him, and yet I believe our faith must be a compenent of our healing.

Prayers to you in this. We can do this! We must believe that we can.


I called and spoke with several counselors. They

I have been inpatient two times in my life....

Following those two experiences I have come to determine that being inpatient is a very very last resort only for keeping you and others safe. If you feel that you can mantain being safe with your therapists help then I would say there is no need to be inpatient.

Now....I only say this from my experiences of course. Like Samadian said "they aren't the most empathetic or compassionate places."

It would have been more ideal for me to be inpatient at a place that just provided great intensive therapy to get me over a very very low point in life. However.....the therapy and psych provided was not always appropriate for me. It did however serve the purpose of keeping me safe.

If you feel that you are not safe....by all means...call your therapist today....and discuss this with him/her and decide what is best.

Even if you feel safe....discuss your concerns candidly with your therapist about how low you are feeling.

I was talking with someone over the telephone the other day. A widower who lost his wife about a year ago. He has children and is trying to move forward.

I suggested to him that his children, who look to him as a model and for example, are learning from his example right now...about how to cope.

This may or may not be helpful, but whatever you decide, your children will draw lessons from it.

What is the best possible "example" that this could serve for them on coping if they, themselves were in the same situation?

Just another thought.

It's all easier said than done, I know.

One of my therapists used to frame it this way...

"What is getting in the way of your taking responsibility for your situation?"

Bless her heart.

As unrealistic as it sounds I do not want my children to endure anything that I have. But we all know that's not possible.

When I think of my kids I want them to know that it's okay to take care of themselves. Something I must now start to do.

Thank you everyone for the support.

Kapsha,

You are MOST welcome!

In my thinking, we can also protect children by arming them. Better to accomplish this while they are still within the scope of our direct influence, and through our example.
Prayers for you and your children!