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.

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deleted_user 10/29/2007

Hi everyone,

Can I ask, What symptoms or issues have you had (in addition to flashbacks) that are attributed to PTSD?

The more I learn about PTSD, the more things suddenly click with me...

Very vivid nightmares my whole life, and I can remember hundreds of them in detail, as though I lived through them

Needing to be in control of everything having to do with my body and my life

Self-injury - That's a big one. I can't believe I actually posted it in a public place. When I'm upset with myself, I scratch my arms or torso. It takes my mind off whatever was eating at me. I keep thinking back to my parents saying "If you don't stop crying, I'll give you something to cry about." I guess that's when I decided if you couldn't see a hurt, it didn't warrant crying.

What else is in your life because of PTSD?

Desertdancer 10/29/2007

I feel numb and detached a lot. People tell me I have a wall around me. I'm getting better now but for most of my life it has stolen my joy, my innocence, my creativity. I've lost most of my life to PTSD and depression.

deleted_user 10/29/2007

same here, numb, detached, guarded, self injury (better now). unexpected triggers really mess me up.
seems like every time i think i'm getting better, something happens and i realize i'm not there yet.

deleted_user 10/29/2007

Usually triggers set me off, but not always,
dissociate/totally switch off.
jumpy.
nervous.
anxiety.
mummbled brain.
shallow breathing.
nightmares.
petrified.
body memories.
smells.
can't talk.

deleted_user 10/29/2007

Can't talk - Nadine you've just found another for me to add to my list. I can't talk when I'm crying - feels like my throat has a charlie horse. I can think a whole conversation but my throat won't let me talk. Is that what it's like for you?

I also hear the detached "wall around me" notes. I've always felt I was someone "living inside a hollow body," looking out through the eyes. Add it to my list

You guys are teaching me a lot. Hugs to you all for being willing to help by sharing.

Blessings of peace,
Wistala

deleted_user 10/29/2007

Detached is one of the best words. When i have those falshbacks, it feels as if i'm somewhere else, watching a movie ...about me. When I "come back" I can't remember where I "was". I know the falshbacks just happened, but I get so scared, I dissociate my self as much as I can, but it's subconsciously. Does that make any sense??

deleted_user 10/30/2007

Probably for me the hypervigilance, always being on super alert as to my surroundings, sudden noises scare me or someone scaring me is not good. That's all I can think of right now. That was a really good question.

deleted_user 10/30/2007

Ive also experienced that 'hollow' feeling you mentioned. I dissociate, I start to hibernate inside my house and hate to come out. I get shaky and panicky when I even attempt to think about something having to do with the abuse. My mind starts to go crazy with thoughts and I sometimes hyperventilate when I only want to calm down.

JennaS 10/30/2007

I get very anxious over change. Poor sleep most of the time from dreams/nightmares.
At times I will isolate myself or remove myself from people around me.
And weirdest things will trigger me and at the most unexpected times.

deleted_user 10/30/2007

Depression, "Survivors Guilt", insomnia, memory loss, nightmares, flashbacks, paranoia, unexplained fears, anxiety

deleted_user 10/30/2007

nightmares.
hypervigilance.
suicidal ideation but i think that comes from my bipolar disorder as well...
anxiety.

the hypervigilance is huge for me. i can't ever just block out what's going on around me.

i can never have my back to a door. things like that.

deleted_user 10/30/2007

nightmares
poor sleep
anxiety
overly tense muscles
detached feelings mixed with overwhelming memories that sometimes leave me impossible to breath
short temper

maybe there is more but those are the ones I notice from myself

deleted_user 10/30/2007

I totally shut down - go hide. I can't deal with conflict. I have a fairly serious form of social anxiety. Anxiety rules my life unless I take meds for it.

deleted_user 11/02/2007

Thank you all. I'm sure it was hard for some of you to write replies, but they have really helped me.

Bright Blessings to all,
Wistala

deleted_user 11/02/2007

i forgot another one that i get a lot...

body memories: last year on the anniversary of my rape my throat closed up entirely and i could barely breathe or speak.

stuff like that is downright frightening when you think about its implications.

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