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, everybody.
I was brought up by a severely schizophrenic mother and an emotionally disturbed father. Sad to say, both were abusive and neglectful of myself and my brothers and sisters (there were five of us in all).
I now find that when mentally ill people act out their symptoms around me, I will have flashbacks and unpleasant memories that can cause me to go deep into depression.
There are many mentally ill people in the city of San Diego, California, where I live. Because I walk or take public transportation wherever I go, I encounter them on a daily basis. They are on the buses and trolleys and on the sidewalks, talking to themselves, making violent threats against people who pass by, urinating and defecating in public, and exhibiting disturbing behavior in general.
Unfortunately, they remind me of the eighteen year period of my life that I want to forget: my childhood. My parents were a lot like these people.
Does anyone else have this problem?
I was brought up by a severely schizophrenic mother and an emotionally disturbed father. Sad to say, both were abusive and neglectful of myself and my brothers and sisters (there were five of us in all).
I now find that when mentally ill people act out their symptoms around me, I will have flashbacks and unpleasant memories that can cause me to go deep into depression.
There are many mentally ill people in the city of San Diego, California, where I live. Because I walk or take public transportation wherever I go, I encounter them on a daily basis. They are on the buses and trolleys and on the sidewalks, talking to themselves, making violent threats against people who pass by, urinating and defecating in public, and exhibiting disturbing behavior in general.
Unfortunately, they remind me of the eighteen year period of my life that I want to forget: my childhood. My parents were a lot like these people.
Does anyone else have this problem?
PTSD spells Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, after all. And we push back against the stigma suffered by being diagnosed with a disorder. So it would be ironic for us to stigmatize others with diagnosed disorders and want support from those with disorders to do so? See: circular logic.
That doesn't mean we don't talk about our real feelings about accepting others with disorders. But if we don't work to accept them, I'm concerned about how we can honestly accept ourselves. And acceptance is the peace of mind we all seek.
It makes a LOT of sense that someone who's a child of a schizophrenic would be very scared of other schizophrenics...
Its not like PTSD (i know people with PTSD can be violent) but not like schizophrenics.
I actually have blocked a lot of her fits while i was a toddler but i was born and was terrifed of my mother my whole child life and then angered by it to no end.It just makes sense that if you grew up with that you'd be triggered by that....
I didn't read what you wrote as stereotyping all people with mental illness.
Rather, I read what you said as YOU having reactions to THOSE mentally ill people who do NOT have adequate control over their symptoms.
Maybe they're undiagnosed, and/or not on appropriate meds.
And I saw a lot of those downtown -- before the stadium ... before the Gaslamp.
It was downright scary.
I think I DO understand what you're saying.
I wish you peace, health, and strength.
But if the source of your PTSD is mentally ill people parents....well guess what would trigger you?
Is like a vet that comes from war with PTSD and says guns trigger him.......We wouldn't tell him are you insulting the US military here? i own a gun.You insulting me.
Like arfie said we can not help what triggers us...
You will be very much missed here. I wish you luck on your journey. I have been where you are at, and it did tell or show me that I had more strength than I thought I had. And my father I think is schizophrenic- ?
Thank you for all of your kind words and compassion. I will miss you.
What I am trying to say is. It really is the terminology that is where this went wrong. Im sure that if a different word was used, even if it was just kept to schizophrenics or something like that then it wouldn't raise the same problem.
Im going to leave my contribution at that because every time I try to type out more of what this brings up for me I have to go back and erase it because its aweful and I am going to have a flashback if I dont look away from itl. I need to stop and remove myself from the situation.
Ciao.
PS. for what it's worth I wish the OP would stick around and post again. I'd love to be supportive, hopefully there would be different words next time.
I am at my wits end with all that I have endured. I have seen mental illness run in my family and they don't notice it in themselves. I keep fighting, but then, I have no other option. I have to. I am overwhelmed.
You need a good therapist and a reality check. Stop being so angry, admit you have a mental illness and get help. There is no shame in mental illness and there is even less shame in getting help for it. If you still believe you do not have a mental illness then at least get some therapy to deal with your hate towards those who do have it.
You got one thing right, there needs to be more social programs to help those who are homeless and suffer mental illness as many are left to fend for themselves on the street.
Years back when electro shock therapy was first tried it was on a homeless man. He was not able to make a sentence or make any kind of sense. Once shocked he sat up and said what the f*ck. After a few more treatment he had recovered and could not only talk in complete sentence, but it made sense what he was saying.
So in short, those with mental health issues can be helped and can live a productive, healthy life if given the opportunity.
I hope you find your opportunity to get well, learn tolerance and help those with mental health issues rather than being afraid of them.
They did nothing for her.....Now there are good meds for schizophrenia but its very hard to make these patients take it.
My mother won't as she says "the terrorists are trying to poison her with those pills" and she truly believes that.
When i wear i military cap that are on trend now a days...She says that i'm an imposter of his daughter and gives me dirty looks and doesn't believe its me....She believes i'm also a terorist plotting to atttack her or poison her or something....
I guess it was a post where you needed to read between the lines.
I don't think he said he himself is not menntally ill with PTSD....Only that people with extreme psychosis untreated trigger him....
But the poster did post this..
"I now find that when mentally ill people act out their symptoms around me, I will have flashbacks and unpleasant memories that can cause me to go deep into depression."
What i read was the mention of schizphrenia (psychosis)......He did say "when they ACT OUT their symptoms around me" and mentioned flashbacks that make him go into a deep depression....Thta doesn't sound like someone trying to cause havoc here....
he said it triggered him.Not that he is consciously anger about having lost his childhood.
But like you said everyone has a right to their own opinion and to express it........But its too bad he left because of opinions expressed and they were mixed..
I agree with some and disagree with others...Nowhere in the DS rules says we have to agree.