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've been sharing with sidarta about how PTSD has been hard in terms of running to the US for safety from my South American country's war where I got PTSD. Then the long PTSD recovery process of returning there and feeling safe again, something that was heartbreaking until it finally came.
I came to the USA long ago in 1976. The military junta took over my South American country from democracy in 1973 and I managed 3 years under their reign, but it was too dangerous. For ten years I couldn't go back safely because of them. Then when I did so joyfully in 1986 in freedom I wasn't ready for the PTSD flashbacks triggered by being back where battles took place.
I went back and it was a mistake. There was a general revelation of the military's crimes in the new free press. I could't handle the outpouring of details of how many people they tortured, as I had been tortured by them myself. I had a mental breakdown on that visit back home in Uruguay and had to be hospitalized. It was frightening and embarrassing and disturbing because I had dreamt of returning for 10 years and then failed to cope with returning.
I came back to the US disillusioned, but worked in therapy on my recovery. I didn't go back again from 1986 to 1989. It was better for me in 1989, but a close friend of mine there was overwhelmed by the revelation of military crimes and the human rights trials of the military, even though we all believed in them as justice. The information was just too ugly to handle, so my friend attempted suicide. I came back to the USA and didn't visit again for 20 years, doing therapy in the US constantly.
Then in 2009 I went back, and I wasn't cured, but I was better. I went back in 2011 and taught at a university for a while, and I still wasn't cured but I was better again. So this year 2013 I went back again and did exposure therapy, posting here at DS PTSD daily to receive support, which I got in abundance. Though still not cured, my getting better continued. So I hope to retire back home again now in 10 years to end my exile for good. It's a joyful goal to be able to work toward, finally going home healthier.
It's been a long road, but it has been worth it. I hope it is for all of you, too, here Thank you letting me share this aspect of my life with PTSD.
Muji
I came to the USA long ago in 1976. The military junta took over my South American country from democracy in 1973 and I managed 3 years under their reign, but it was too dangerous. For ten years I couldn't go back safely because of them. Then when I did so joyfully in 1986 in freedom I wasn't ready for the PTSD flashbacks triggered by being back where battles took place.
I went back and it was a mistake. There was a general revelation of the military's crimes in the new free press. I could't handle the outpouring of details of how many people they tortured, as I had been tortured by them myself. I had a mental breakdown on that visit back home in Uruguay and had to be hospitalized. It was frightening and embarrassing and disturbing because I had dreamt of returning for 10 years and then failed to cope with returning.
I came back to the US disillusioned, but worked in therapy on my recovery. I didn't go back again from 1986 to 1989. It was better for me in 1989, but a close friend of mine there was overwhelmed by the revelation of military crimes and the human rights trials of the military, even though we all believed in them as justice. The information was just too ugly to handle, so my friend attempted suicide. I came back to the USA and didn't visit again for 20 years, doing therapy in the US constantly.
Then in 2009 I went back, and I wasn't cured, but I was better. I went back in 2011 and taught at a university for a while, and I still wasn't cured but I was better again. So this year 2013 I went back again and did exposure therapy, posting here at DS PTSD daily to receive support, which I got in abundance. Though still not cured, my getting better continued. So I hope to retire back home again now in 10 years to end my exile for good. It's a joyful goal to be able to work toward, finally going home healthier.
It's been a long road, but it has been worth it. I hope it is for all of you, too, here Thank you letting me share this aspect of my life with PTSD.
Muji
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I haven't written in my diary on my computer since May because I thought that my computer was dying. I got away from writing but my computer is hanging in there. I think that I will start writing in it again. It's so therapeutic.
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First, I hope everyone is doing well, and continuing to fight that good fight! Keep up the great work on yourselves; I'm rooting for all of you!So, I started doing therapy at the beginning of the year, when I was in my most depressed state, but with my therapist, I made big changes and steps in the right direction. But, over a month ago, she couldn't take my insurance anymore, and I had to stop...
Gentle hugs for all who carry this burden. Personal hugs for Mini and Sidarta.
from Kosovo it lasted couple hours to cross border and get and feel safe in Serbia
I don't wish ever to get back anywhere close to Kosovo, Croatia maybe one day, maybe not, my family visited and been there, right now im not that strong like you muji to go back and revisit my home
here were I live nobody ask me nor I need to fear for my life because of my nationality and religion
arfie thanks for hugs and hugs to you also
We had a Iranian friend who's entire family was killed and he escaped. He talk often of the guilt of surviving and the sadness of never being able to return since he was on a death list. We also had a student who rented a room from us that escaped Idi Amin and he lost his whole family.
Unfortunately I understand the politics of war. If an area in conflict doesn't hold vast oil/uranium,etc reserves etc, it's simply ignored. Modern war based on profit margins is what it truly comes down too. What's truly sad is that good families are losing sons and daughters to secure those profit margins, to this day.
I really don't care in what other peoples religious beliefs are, or the color of their skin, EVERY CHILD/FAMILY/SINGLE PERSON has a right to be fed and have medical care and not grow up in war! If the corporations and the politicians weren't sooo lost in their power and greed, It would be a better world for all of us! There IS enough to go around. This vent has been brought to you by the Divine who are trutly pissed off at the Human Race (well ,more the leaders)...
It's such a blessing to hear you speak from your heart on behalf of us refugees. It's something those who've never had their lives driven by war don't have to do. It's always overwhelmed me when those who've lived in peace empathize with those of who've lived in war. You don't have to, and yet you extend yourselves to feel our anger, our grief, even that survivor guilt you mention. Thank you.
I AM truly one of the fortunate ones to be able to return to my homeland in my lifetime and find it at peace. That is rare in this world with its wars. You're all too correct as to the root cause of all of these wars, sad to say. I wish all that blood were being spilled for something more lofty than profit, but too often it plays too large a part.
Thank you again, Walking. What a Christmas gift to know how much you care for us. Thank you.
Muji