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.
School's out, and the summer school class I was going to teach got canceled. Not enough students enrolled. It happened to lots of teachers this summer, not just me.
So, less money and more time all alone. I've only been working now for 2 years since getting out of the hospital in 2011. This is the third time in my life I've been hospitalized for PTSD. The first time was when I was 13 years old. The second time was in the year 2000. This last time was 2 years ago. I'm 54 now, a single male.
So I'm thankful I've had nice long stretches between hospitalizations, and I'd like to continue to do so. This stretch has lasted 2 years so far.
Work was really hard the first year, the 2011-2012 school year. I racked up 6 sick days and my boss noticed--not in a good way, either. She sent an administrator to ask me if I needed to leave and go on disability that year. Tough as it was with flashbacks, insomnia, and all of the PTSD symptoms still going, this school year 2012-2013 I managed to make it through the whole year without taking a single sick day--not for PTSD or for anything else. It as a huge effort, but I proved I could do it. My boss noticed that, too. In a good way this time. So I'll be hired again for the next year school year 2013-2014.
Now I have a summer with time on my hands. My canceled summer school class means I have just enough money to make it to August, when school starts again.
When I went in the hospital in 2010 they discovered I had kidney damage, so I can't have the assistance of meds with my PTSD like I used to have. So for me it's therapy and coming here every day, and no more Ativan when I have a panic attack or Seroquel for sleep without nightmares.
That's been ok while working. But this summer will be the longest stretch for me since I got out of the hospital last without that social contact and structure I've found helpful at school, challenging as it is to work with PTSD.
This new job I've had for 2 years has meant I moved to live in a small city of 20,000 about 1,500 miles from all of my old friends. It's a long story why, but I'm not up for internet dating, or dating at all, really. Short of that, any suggestions on this point, please:
how to build a routine that will help me keep things together over the summer?
My school life does that for me nicely during the year. But now I'm on my own.
I know I'm blessed to be able to work, as there are many among us who wish they could work like I do, who are on disability. Which I came close to being on myself this last hospitalization. But any advice would be appreciated.
Any advice here, friends?
So, less money and more time all alone. I've only been working now for 2 years since getting out of the hospital in 2011. This is the third time in my life I've been hospitalized for PTSD. The first time was when I was 13 years old. The second time was in the year 2000. This last time was 2 years ago. I'm 54 now, a single male.
So I'm thankful I've had nice long stretches between hospitalizations, and I'd like to continue to do so. This stretch has lasted 2 years so far.
Work was really hard the first year, the 2011-2012 school year. I racked up 6 sick days and my boss noticed--not in a good way, either. She sent an administrator to ask me if I needed to leave and go on disability that year. Tough as it was with flashbacks, insomnia, and all of the PTSD symptoms still going, this school year 2012-2013 I managed to make it through the whole year without taking a single sick day--not for PTSD or for anything else. It as a huge effort, but I proved I could do it. My boss noticed that, too. In a good way this time. So I'll be hired again for the next year school year 2013-2014.
Now I have a summer with time on my hands. My canceled summer school class means I have just enough money to make it to August, when school starts again.
When I went in the hospital in 2010 they discovered I had kidney damage, so I can't have the assistance of meds with my PTSD like I used to have. So for me it's therapy and coming here every day, and no more Ativan when I have a panic attack or Seroquel for sleep without nightmares.
That's been ok while working. But this summer will be the longest stretch for me since I got out of the hospital last without that social contact and structure I've found helpful at school, challenging as it is to work with PTSD.
This new job I've had for 2 years has meant I moved to live in a small city of 20,000 about 1,500 miles from all of my old friends. It's a long story why, but I'm not up for internet dating, or dating at all, really. Short of that, any suggestions on this point, please:
how to build a routine that will help me keep things together over the summer?
My school life does that for me nicely during the year. But now I'm on my own.
I know I'm blessed to be able to work, as there are many among us who wish they could work like I do, who are on disability. Which I came close to being on myself this last hospitalization. But any advice would be appreciated.
Any advice here, friends?
How about picking a new hobbie like learning Japanese or a new goal to do over the summer?
How about an enterpreneural endeavour?
Or just relax and revel in the freedom you're going to have for the summer taking it one day at a time.
They also have an area set up to help older children with their school. Many will be in summer school. These are children who have been taken from their homes by DCF.
Or private tutor for extra cash. Or definitely learn a new hobby or skill.
Hope that helps
Also, a hobby, like RJR said. I like playing guitar and singing. I know it sounds crazy, but maybe I could learn some songs and have the goal of performing a couple of them at an open mike night some evening this summer in my area?
Then there's amateur theater? Not acting necessarily but just volunteering with the production crew.
Thanks everybody. Just to be active and not too isolated.
lots of good suggestions. i do the volunteer and guitar/songwriting thing, so i can attest to their efficiency at keeping the mind occupied.
I know I don't do well with 9 weeks of down time, so I've had a small painting/light contracting business. You can also call HR and see if there's any homebound instruction or tutoring you can do. Maybe even work at the school for summer maintenance. Then again, maybe you need a break from the place!
How about editing work or just creating a schedule where you can do lesson plans for a few hours each day? You could work on developing online class notes and a rockin' website that parents and students can access... Hey, I may even steal that idea! : )))
It was best of all, though, to hear that you echo how I feel about these 9 weeks of summer. I'm not alone--again. Ah, the magic of DS PTSD worked once again.
Seriously, thanks for sharing that you feel similarly.