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.
Hi everyone... Just thought Id say hello and tell you a little about myself since I only joined the other day...
I was diagnosed with PTSD and depression in 2005 after a particularly difficult period that effectively saw me fall apart. I sought the help of Combat Stress here in the UK, and they gave me the leg up I needed to get myself together at the time, as well as understand that I had a problem, and how I might alleviate some of the problems I was having.
Suddenly everything made sense, and a lot of my behaviour from the previous 17 years made sense. Its funny how things click into place once youre given the final part of the puzzle.
I still have problems, but in some ways Im very lucky. I still have my family around me, which is more than can be said for a number of other sufferers... My main problems these days are with anger / rage and also sleeping problems. I do have lots of hyper-vigilant days, but Im more able to live with that now I know whats happening. I used to suffer badly from nightmares, but treatment called EFT made a huge difference to them. Now I have them fairly infrequently.
The events which my docs believe led to me developing PTSD all happened in the space of a year back in the late 80s. Some things related to my service in the Royal Air Force, others related to non service related trauma... I still have a hard time understanding that something from so long ago can have such an effect on my life today. I always thought that the way I was was just normal. Everyone knew that I was grumpy but thought that was just me.
Anyway, thats a rather poor write up of how I came to be here... I hope everyone is as okay as they can be...
Sammers.
I was diagnosed with PTSD and depression in 2005 after a particularly difficult period that effectively saw me fall apart. I sought the help of Combat Stress here in the UK, and they gave me the leg up I needed to get myself together at the time, as well as understand that I had a problem, and how I might alleviate some of the problems I was having.
Suddenly everything made sense, and a lot of my behaviour from the previous 17 years made sense. Its funny how things click into place once youre given the final part of the puzzle.
I still have problems, but in some ways Im very lucky. I still have my family around me, which is more than can be said for a number of other sufferers... My main problems these days are with anger / rage and also sleeping problems. I do have lots of hyper-vigilant days, but Im more able to live with that now I know whats happening. I used to suffer badly from nightmares, but treatment called EFT made a huge difference to them. Now I have them fairly infrequently.
The events which my docs believe led to me developing PTSD all happened in the space of a year back in the late 80s. Some things related to my service in the Royal Air Force, others related to non service related trauma... I still have a hard time understanding that something from so long ago can have such an effect on my life today. I always thought that the way I was was just normal. Everyone knew that I was grumpy but thought that was just me.
Anyway, thats a rather poor write up of how I came to be here... I hope everyone is as okay as they can be...
Sammers.
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theatre and I are there already. I'm having a very berry tea with crackers, cheese and cherry tomatoes and she's having a joint with some beer and we're both on really comfy recliners on thick pile carpet. we need some help with the decor if anyone is around??
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I'm trying to exercise daily. I was doing fairly well until I sprained my ankle 2 weeks ago but now I'm getting back on the horse. Today I walked over a mile with my arm weights that are about 22lbs total. I was out of shape and it was hard on my arms. I also did my 30 situps. I'm also going to drink a lot of water and try to eat healthy. I do tend to have a sweet tooth but I'm cutting...
I was sexually abused as a child. And in my teen years, and my 20's I was OK...moody...kinda like you said...but I was a high achiever, graduated from College, succesful in my Nursing Career...I was in my 'Super-Mode'.
But, in my 30's...my past caught up with me. I NEVER thought something so long ago would effect me either...I mean, look at my past successes...?? I was treated for 4 years for depression/anxiety. Nothing worked. I finally got my PTSD diagnosis in April of this year...it was like OMG...that's what is wrong with me. I kept thinking I was Bipolar...my doc's said NO..but never looked further.
I am not bipolar though. PTSD can look like bipolar though...lots of similar signs and symptoms.
So, yeah, the past catches up with you...it sucks.
But, there is Hope in Healing...and I am on my Journey to Heal.
Welcome!
It's a wonderfull place here to start healing and so many many good people.
I was never "officially" diagnosed, but when I discovered what PTSD was this fall, I realized it's what I'd been dealing with for 23 years. For me, my major trauma was from an abusive doctor, which is why I went undiagnosed all this time - I won't go to doctors now.
Yep, crap from "way back when" can still haunt you. I was 11 then, am 34 (geez, I actually had to stop and add) now. I've had flashbacks, panic attacks, and other stuff all those years.
You're not alone. Welcome to the group. I hope you find help and are able to offer some to others when you're ready, as well.
Blessed Be,
Wistala