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.
Dear DS PTSD Friends,
Last July 2013 I reported daily back to DS PTSD from my South American hometown on a visit back. I went there for exposure therapy. After years of planning to do it with my therapist, I finally visited
1. the place where my car was bombed and
2. the place where I was tortured.
It worked. Since then I've been able to refer here to both experiences that gave me PTSD without reliving them every time.
In 3 weeks from today I go back. This time is different. Last year I went solo and only spoke here to DS PTSD about it. This year
1. my USA best friend and undergrad college roomie is going with me.
2. Also, I'm going to look up a couple of old South American high school friends who still live there.
We're having dinner together. I'm branching out of my isolation.
I'm a lot different looking now than I was in high school. In my case, I've aged early and due to permanent kidney damage I'm a lot heavier. I think I look like Santa Claus in a cute kind of way. But I can imagine it might be surprising to my high school friends to see me with a white beard and white hair and a bowl full of jelly now.
Should I send them a photo of myself or write them a description or an explanation of my appearance? Or should I just let them handle it in the moment when we meet? What would you do?
Thanks for the help.
Muji
Last July 2013 I reported daily back to DS PTSD from my South American hometown on a visit back. I went there for exposure therapy. After years of planning to do it with my therapist, I finally visited
1. the place where my car was bombed and
2. the place where I was tortured.
It worked. Since then I've been able to refer here to both experiences that gave me PTSD without reliving them every time.
In 3 weeks from today I go back. This time is different. Last year I went solo and only spoke here to DS PTSD about it. This year
1. my USA best friend and undergrad college roomie is going with me.
2. Also, I'm going to look up a couple of old South American high school friends who still live there.
We're having dinner together. I'm branching out of my isolation.
I'm a lot different looking now than I was in high school. In my case, I've aged early and due to permanent kidney damage I'm a lot heavier. I think I look like Santa Claus in a cute kind of way. But I can imagine it might be surprising to my high school friends to see me with a white beard and white hair and a bowl full of jelly now.
Should I send them a photo of myself or write them a description or an explanation of my appearance? Or should I just let them handle it in the moment when we meet? What would you do?
Thanks for the help.
Muji
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I did the dumbest thing today. I charged my earbuds, unplugged the block and put the block in my little bag instead of the earbuds. I wasn't happy about that when I got to the gym. What a dummy!
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Ever since I stopped doing therapy because of insurance, I've been feeling that old tense and irritable sense of anxiety and stress. I hate that. I was making so many strides and changes during therapy, my therapist would acknowledge all of my progress and accomplishments, and I miss that reassurance. Today I thought about it, and I made those changes! She would always tell me that I chose to...
I don't think you need to write a description. Life has dealt you a hand and you are playing it out well. You shouldn't have to explain yourself ahead of time. When you get there and meet you will all have plenty of time to catch up on each others lives.
You could send a picture just to let them know who they are looking for. I bet some of them have changed quite a bit as well.
I think it is awesome that you are doing this!
it is probable that your old friends have dealt with their own PTSD issues, and might wear the physical signs of the struggle as well.
on the plus side, i am a world-events/news junkey and have been following uruguay pretty closely, and i think mujica is a changed man. in many ways, uruguay leads all other south american nations in human rights issues. seems the nation is healing, and it sounds like you're healing along with it!
I don't think there can be many people in this world who have been through as much as you, both from the world at large and those nearest to you, yet gone on to accomplish so much. Your life has been remarkable in so many ways. You have every reason to be proud of who you are and what you have accomplished. Remember that!
Which is why I would be so curious to get glimpses of what they look like now. I'd send a picture or three with requests for quid pro quo.
I can't even imagine being able to look up HS buddies. Wouldn't know where to look. Color me envious! Hope you have a great time.
Who knows how they look?
And you're *you*---that always shines through, despite appearances or the rest.
But that's me.
Will keep sending you vibes of support and strength. You're rocking it out!
Thanks, Mojo, for what you said about Uruguay. Coming from your experience in South Africa, that means a lot.
Now to pick the right photo......
:-)
I met a friend after years of not seeing her and she had put on a large amount of weight , After two seconds I didn't even notice she was still her:)