Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Support Group
Find support with others who have gone through a traumatic experience. Whether you have chronic or acute PTSD, we are here for you.
I figured I should go ahead and introduce myself here.
I have untreated ptsd, and haven't really gotten a formal diagnosis for it yet. So I don't really know much about it other than the symptoms I experience and the more common triggers for myself.
It wasn't until recent months that I finally started to realize and accept that frequently (often several times a day during stressful periods) being pulled into emotionally painful flashbacks isn't exactly healthy or normal. Before learning enough to realize what this was I had always just thought of ptsd as being a condition that only cops, soldiers and victims of war could have. I never knew about how ptsd can also be caused by an accumulation of smaller incidents, and so I didn't even consider ptsd as being something I could possibly have.
I finally started learning more about it when I came close to a breaking point and started seeking support/help from support groups, and after a short while the pieces finally started to click into place.
I would like to eventually start seeing a therapist or doctor about these issues, but unfortunately that is well outside of my price range where I live. So until I am able to either save up enough to afford it or get a job that pays enough to afford it I'm trying to keep myself togther with support from support groups.
I have untreated ptsd, and haven't really gotten a formal diagnosis for it yet. So I don't really know much about it other than the symptoms I experience and the more common triggers for myself.
It wasn't until recent months that I finally started to realize and accept that frequently (often several times a day during stressful periods) being pulled into emotionally painful flashbacks isn't exactly healthy or normal. Before learning enough to realize what this was I had always just thought of ptsd as being a condition that only cops, soldiers and victims of war could have. I never knew about how ptsd can also be caused by an accumulation of smaller incidents, and so I didn't even consider ptsd as being something I could possibly have.
I finally started learning more about it when I came close to a breaking point and started seeking support/help from support groups, and after a short while the pieces finally started to click into place.
I would like to eventually start seeing a therapist or doctor about these issues, but unfortunately that is well outside of my price range where I live. So until I am able to either save up enough to afford it or get a job that pays enough to afford it I'm trying to keep myself togther with support from support groups.
I find my therapist invaluable, but I was lucky to find a good one---and I screened carefully before deciding to stick with one. A lot of times, therapists who're not qualified for anxiety disorder treatments and/or PTSD just cannot do a darn thing for folks like us---and it's easy to miss. So I do hope you'll try to get a formal dx, just so you can get structured help, learn more, etc. But that's just a suggestion.
A lot of people here will give you great advice. I'm in a tailspin state this week----tried to tough something out and failed---so I'll sign off with a warm wish for you to find healing.
Leo
welcome to here, for what ever help it gives.
I gather you are still in college? Most have counseling that you can access as a student. You will get some interns but they are overseen by staff that are all degree'd and most practicing in their offices. If an intern needs help they will step in. If needed they may meet with you on campus, so it falls under the benefits of your tuition. Since I know you don't think it will be well received by your parent, just "Study", but you are the subject.
Self diagnosis is not good since there are many other reasons for these feelings and how you were affected by life experiences do make a difference on treatment. So search out ways to get that help. The other things in your life like Family, their attitudes all do play into how we perceive ourselves, even how far we will go to define our needs. Defend ..Or seek help. That is true of all whether there is any PTSD or not. For those reasons a definitive diagnosis is helpful, because the treatment is is different depending on the causes.
As for panic attacks, memories and symptoms, there are some universal things that seem to help. Breathing, body relaxations and guided imagery that can help you deal with the effect you feel.
Also use any creative outlets you have, pets and the journal here(you are familiar with I, see) The input, observations and objective comments, from us here, will help you look at problems a different way.
As a whole there is a lot of experience in the results of different methods of help, try some , save what works, toss what doesn't.
http://www.dailystrength.org/groups/tips-for-ptsd-flashbacks/discussions/messages/15379699
Here is a page that has some tips.
Welcome ,
Jewells
Unfortunately I haven't had any luck finding therapists or doctors where I live that are even remotely affordable. I've done quite a bit of "window shopping" for professional help over the past year. Lately I've even turned to a couple of the other support groups here for suggestions/advice/insight/etc on possible options for getting affordable treatment, but despite the generous amounts of help I've received here nothing has turned up yet.