Hello Ceemichelle. Welcome to the light outside your closet. May it help reveal new ways to approach your challenges. You have quite allot on your stress plate. Support needed. May you find this a safe place to ask for and receive that much needed support.

I started into psychotherapy in 1972, more than 20 years before "Shell Shock" morphed into PTSD. The vast majority of my psychotherapy was through the VA for Manic Depression/Bipolar. Same dx, different names. When the PTSD dx became available, I was a shoe-in for the dx. My VA counselor of the day asked if I wanted the Bipolar declared an official dx and I couldn't be see the point. 1) PTSD is malady of extremes. Bipolar extremes. 2) I picked up too many useful tools from BP therapy to want to discredit the treatment.

By whatever name, the symptoms can, indeed, ruin not only your life, but the lives of your family, as well. Congratulations on finding the courage to reach out. You are not alone.

Hi Cee,
Welcome to the group, I’m glad you reached out so we can support you. You’re not alone
Sending you support
Big hug <3

Hi Cee. Welcome to the group.

I am glad you are here, welcome. It feels so great to have someone who understand what your situation. You came to the right place to vent.

Welcome to the group!
This is a safe space to share your struggles with really kind and empathetic people.

My PTSD was so severe that I was misdiagnosed as bipolar for a couple of years at first, ceemichelle90. On the one hand medically I was glad they corrected the misdiagnosis and got it right that it was PTSD and not bipolar disorder. On the other hand, though, personally I wasn't so happy because the symptoms were similar in my case but the causes of PTSD and bipolar disorder are very different.

Bipolar you're born with, there's no event in your history you have to face up to. I'd gone to weekly therapy for 12 years at that point and had hidden from my doctor that I had been tortured and put through 2 execution attempts by soldiers of a military dictatorship abroad when I was a 15 year old missionary kid.

Now with my diagnosis being post a trauma I had to face up to how my symptoms were not just DNA bad luck but from when somebody actually tried to kill me twice, That I had not wanted to think about, it sucks to think somebody wanted you dead.

Yeah, PTSD does suck, you're right. I went through 2 divorces with it (two spouses cheated in two marriages) so that's why it's best not to try to go it alone with it. Glad you're here for your sake and because we need you, too.

Hi Cee.
I am also struggling with PTSD, depression, anxiety issues. I am also going through struggles with my marriage of almost 18yrs now...not sure if it'll make it. My nephew was killed recently. I am here if you need to vent. We all need each other. Reach out if you need ok?

I'm having my second straight day of non-stop nerve pain (neuropathy) from my chronic kidney damage the PTSD nightmare med Seroquel left me with when a psychiatrist gave me too high of a dose, Hoping for pain relief soon. It sucks how much it hurts and my kidneys allow no pain med.

I am so sorry to hear your going though such a horrible time right now. I spent 2 weeks in icu because of sepsis, I’m in England, when I woke up due to all of the drugs I was given I suffer really bad delarum I am really suffering to work out was real and what’s not. Due to the sepsis I had to have a below the knee amputation which since I’ve had nothing but serve nerve pain. I just feel that sometimes I just want to end it all

PTSD sure is!!! BUT we all are here along with you and we understand. I am trying by best and when something does not work I am learning to try something different. Welcome so glad you join us.

The nerve pain I mentioned above having a couple of days stopped today! My favorite thing about pain is when it stops.

Hope you lucked out with a good day today too.