Hi Cath. Welcome to the forum. Sorry for what brings you here, but glad you are here.

I think of my own PTSD as one of those disorders which cannot be cured. Only managed. I can remain high functioning indefinitely while I ignore the management, but the neglect still catches up with me eventually and seems to kick my gluteus maximus harder with each go-round. "Life stuff" is very often the trigger for the relapse. Stress weakens the entire system. . .

My strongest suggestion is to trust your instinct. You've been here before. You know what needs to be done and we will be here to lean on, if you care to. The load is easier sort with moral support.

Welcome aboard.

cath, I am another person like arfie, diagnosed with "C-PTSD," meaning the kind acquired in so many of my formative years that it is forever part of my brain's makeup. I'm high functioning, as I teach in community college nursing program. However, that's because I manage my PTSD symptoms by sticking with my psychiatrist appointments, my medication, and come here every day.

Sometimes my symptoms recede because I have periods of weeks or even months with less stress, and I seem "cured." However, I don't fall for it because my experience has been that my stress returns at times like Christmas and New Year's. I'm glad then that I keep up my routine. My symptoms return but the support is already there for managing them.

I went back to my psychiatrist once after a couple of years away. I didn't care what he thought about my leaving or my returning. That's what they're there for. Now I let my primary doc know everything, too. I figure it's not about whether they give me an A or an F grade or anything as a patient, it's about the support I need on my end. I'm the one who needs to go to work every day. Psychiatrists and primary care doctors don't seem to be thinking about me quite as much as I might think, anyway.

Just speaking for me, that's what I do. Whatever you decide to do, be gentle with yourself.

Thanks for your reply. You're right, I have been here before. The difference is this time I don't have the resources that I've had in the past. Because I left my psychiatrist and my psychologist, I feel out of the loop, so to speak. Where I live these drs are on high demand, and the waiting lists are extremely long. My GP isn't comfortable changing my meds, only monitering them. I guess I was hoping this was just a short term situation, and if I could re-learn some of my coping skills, then I'd be alright. It really has been a while since I've felt like this. It has taken me by surprise. What are some coping skills that you have found that have helped you, when you find yourself stressed and neglected? Thank you for the welcome.

Walks are great. Whatever clears your head. I listen to sermons, music or watch a funny tv show if I’m focusing too much on things. It puts me to sleep. My problems are mostly overnight so sleep is the goal, but exercising or doing a hobby you enjoy would be good daytime activities.

Tell your GP. I am proud like you and have only suffered because of it. I also have ptsd and major depression and chronic pain. Now I'm unable to get disability because I never said what was going on with me. Please get the help you deserve. I also started dnt therapy last year that is helping me discover what my triggers are.

When I am feeling stressed and neglected, I focus on self-care. Balancing agents for whatever is stressing me out and filling the need of whatever is being neglected.

It's a big subject with a veritable maze of Ifs, Ands, Buts and Maybes attached. Details count.

Journals are Great, here and personal ones at home. A checklist of sorts as a go-to when things start feeling off. Going through my second bad depression/ptsd episode right now in 2 years. Xmas does it to me even tho im telling myself it's the best holiday ever, lol weird. Death and any type of loss tips me over. Even the loss' that are good for me. Being a creature of habit keeps me safe hate to say it so I'm a hermit during the winter months and do all my living in the warm months when I'm carefree. Not saying it is the right way to live but it does keep me safe. Know your triggers, accept your limits and have a plan of attack when things start feeling off. Hugs

Thank you all for your replies. I appreciate the suggestions. It's been so long that I had forgotten what worked. Jptexas, I think you might have hit the nail on the head. I'm letting my pride be my guide; guess it's time to let that fall and realize that I just can't do this on my own. I'm not very good at asking for help for fear of being rejected. Thank you all for "hearing" me.

Hi Cath. Oh i was just here recently. I was seeing my PCP and got a LMHC but i was resisting the psychiatrist/ psychologist route.

I finally got brave enough, thanks mainly to the support I found here at DS to have that conversation with my PCP.

It was the single best thing I could do for myself.

hope you find your brave here and that it helps you feel better. triple hugs