I think I have PTSD. I haven't been diagnosed with it, but I have nightmares of the guy who was driving my car and of the accident all the time (the sad part is that I don't even remember most of my accident), and I panic every time I'm a passenger in a car. Sometimes I break down in tears after I go over a hill that gives me a queazy feeling in my stomach, because I know for sure that I remember that feeling happening when he ramped the hill we went over.

I've started listening to instrumental music instead of my normal rock genre, and that seems to help me cope. I also try telling myself that a brain injury is rare, so it's almost impossible for me to get a second one. And I've forgiven the guy who wrecked my car and have told myself that he didn't do it on purpose.

I'm not sure if any of the last paragraph will help you. How do you cope?

I think we all do I was never diagnosed as suffering from ptsd but after all I went through of course I am. It makes sense. I don't think they like to label you with too many names of different conditions etc here which is probably a good thing. I know what happened and i know how i am now, I take every day as it comes, no point worrying about the past, what happened happened and now i just try and get the most from life one day at a time.

Micah,

Yep, definitely sounds like you have PTSD.

I was very fortunate - I received therapy for the PTSD from a Psychologist who specializes in treating trauma. However, he told me something at the completion of my treatment ---- PTSD is permanent is what he said. He shared with me that it actually alters the brains chemistry.

It was disappointing to hear that after the work I did in therapy. But, it's a good thing he told me that. Because I have these episodes now where I am triggered by certain things. It's a combo of the PTSD & the TBI. Noise will trigger a PTSD episode for me. And certain subjects are very upsetting for me.

My Dr's explained that I now have a lower "set point" to getting upset. I used to be very "together" pre-injury. But now, it's easy for me to get stressed. As my Docs say, everyone has a breaking point. Ours (with PTSD) is just lower.

I do have this secret hope that I will be able to overcome the PTSD completely. I don't know if that's realistic, but there's nothing wrong with trying! :)

I will say that I have definitely gotten better, with time, with the PTSD. I am learning to manage it, and to manage difficult situations.

Oh, I definitely have a lower set point. What were some simple steps you took during your therapy? I don't want to go into more therapy, but I'd like to help myself recover.

Well...my Therapist treated my trauma...which is very individual - so I'm not sure I can think of anything off the top of my head that's general that would be of help.

I usually have ideas to help others, but I'm stumped by your question, because therapy is such a personal process.