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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Hello

Trapped78
Trapped78

Hello,


I’m new to daily strength. I decided to join because I’ve been dealing with an array of anxiety and depression issues. But my PTSD and health anxiety have been especially bad lately, partly due to the pandemic. I’m 27 years old and I’ve always had some slight issues with paranoia about getting sick. But it wasn’t until I was actually diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disorder at 19 that things became progressively worse. My condition  incorporates three diseases: type 1 diabetes, Addison’s disease and Hashimoto’s disease. It took me years to feel happy again after being diagnosed, but I am treating these disorders and have felt much better. This year however, I was told I have a tumor on my kidney. The treatment plan currently is to monitor it and see how it progresses. This revelation was the tipping point. I find myself consistently hyperaroused regarding any bodily function, if I lose on strand of hair I’m afraid I have alopecia, I have a slight runny nose and I think I’m dying. I spend all day thinking about these none existent symptoms and working myself up in panic. It just seems I have such bad luck...I don’t ever feel safe in my own body.

Thor2008
Thor2008
Welcome to Daily Strength.

You are doing one good thing now - journaling. Keeping a daily journal is one of the best things you can do. It is hard when you worry about your health. I have the same issue. Definitely stay away from Dr. Google. Talk with your therapist about these worries and work on tools to destress.
Beryl367
Beryl367
Hi Trapped78, welcome to the group! Sorry your anxiety and PTSD are giving you so much trouble lately. Are you seeing a counselor? They might be able to suggest things to relieve your concerns. If I find myself worried about physical symptoms I try fact checking either on the internet (which sometimes backfires) or with a medical professional (walk-in clinic, nurse advice line, etc). One really useful question I can ask is how I'll know if it's bad enough to need (more) medical attention. Then I can monitor it without over worrying.

Sending lots of peace and support your way.
Community Leadermujicaptsd
mujicaptsd
Welcome, T, sorry for what brought you, but glad you found us. Several of us live with PTSD and other conditions like you do. In my case, I'm diabetic, too, plus I have chronic kidney disease (CKD), which means no psych meds for me. That makes support group even play a bigger role in my recovery. I got PTSD from sexual assault, domestic violence as a kid, and 6 years of combat surviving explosions that gave me brain blast injuries. I can only take one psych med, Prazosin, which is liver-processed, and I've been here since 2012, when I got diagnosed with CKD. This group has made the lat 8 years possible for me with daily strength just day by day.
Trapped78
Trapped78
Thank you all for responding. It makes me feel better to know I’m not the only one dealing with this sort of thing. I do have a therapist who I see once a month, which is all I can currently afford. He’s very helpful, but sometimes his advice feels kind of disconnected. I’m hoping I’ll learn from other people here on what coping mechanisms work for them.
SimpsonsOK
SimpsonsOK
Welcome aboard this DS lifeboat Trapped. When I first came onboard, I read many posts and especially the replies. Many replies shared various grounding and coping tools that had helped others. Some worked for me; some didn't. The ones that worked let me build a toolbox to go to when needed. For me, I need a three legged stool: therapy, a toolbox, and support from peers who share the same issues. Welcoming and comforting hugs.