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.

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jaclyn1973 12/26/2016

I've lost so much in the last 7 years. My mother died suddenly, my dad went in to dementia, we declared bankruptcy, my husband left me (this was and is devastating), my father died, I lost my job, lived off my retirement until I found a job, moved away from where I'd been for 10 years to take a job in a city where I didn't know anyone, had a bad fall requiring stitches.....lost several pets along the way.

But, things were getting better in 2016. I was enjoying life more, got promoted at work, and was pretty well satisfied.

In August, I was flooded out. Yep, lived in the epicenter of the flood in Louisiana. Lost everything. But, it turned out OK. I lived in an apt so it wasn't like I had to gut my home and rebuild. I had a tremendous support group and things went very well. Still..it was a traumatic experience and was still bothering me some...but I was doing OK I think.

The day before Thanksgiving I was driving to Atlanta. I had the car I got to replace the one I lost in the flood. What was left of my family was all getting together for a happy time... On the way to Atlanta, I had a bad car accident. I was injured somewhat and my car was totaled. It rolled over a few times and the people there were surprised I wasn't hurt much worse.

Things are fine. I have another car. The injuries are healed. But, I'm just...not myself. I cry a lot. I have trouble motivating myself. I'm back to being the emotional basket case I was 2 years ago. I feel lost. Unconnected. Like a playing piece on a chess board, waiting for someone to move me. I had a hard time getting to where I was and now it feels like I slid all the way back down. And I'm tired, so very very tired.

Rizen 12/26/2016

That's a lot to take in. I'm in a similar boat, having 4 family members die in the last 7 or 8 years. I also was flooded out in Colorado's 100 year flood in 2013. Take care of yourself.

arfie 12/26/2016

Gentlest of support and healing hopes, Jaclyn. That is allot to process.

I wonder often about those regressions where ". . .it feels like I slid all the way back." In recent rounds I have been wondering if that is not regression at all, but rather an unrealistic expectation that my least favorite emotions will simply go away and never bother me again, but. . . Grief and stress just keep right on being part of life and my least favorite emotions just keep right on asserting themselves. Dunno. . . For sure, inside my own strictly personal skin, those unfavored emotions pass quicker if I JUST let myself feel and process them. JUST. . . Nothing justy about the processing, but I works with what life sends me.

But that is just-a-patient me. . .

Gentle support while you figure what it is for you.

Gladdmatt 12/26/2016

OMG, you have been through so much in a short period of time. I can go into panic mode over such small things; I am in awe (seriously) of how you have emotionally survived so much. I don't blame you one bit for feeling exhausted, tearful, unmotivated, and so very tired of things going wrong. I will pray for you. You may not want to hear this, but you are a very courageous person.

mujicaptsd 12/26/2016

I had a Book of Job year, too, in 2000t-2001. Divorce, job loss, hospitalized, bankruptcy, pet...you know the rest. I don't know why years like that happen, and it didn't stop there. I had another Book of Job year in 2011: job loss, collapsed from kidney disease, fiancee gone, home loss, paid off car totaled. Again, what the--? It makes you soul weary doesn't it?

But we're still here, you and I. And if there's no reason for why, we make the reason by ourselves. You have my heartfelt support, and you are a very courageous person indeed.

jaclyn1973 12/26/2016

Thanks, all. Through reading, I've found that some things you may never completely get over. Time doesn't really heal all wounds. And I recognize that much of what's happened is normal. The deaths of parents and pets, for example.

I lean towards depression anyway, and was on meds and therapy a couple years back. But, I was so glad when I felt I could stop all that. Now, it looks like I may need to start again.

Thank you for the kind words. I don't feel courageous. I feel very very weak. Thanks. I hope you all have a good day today. I'm going to try and accomplish a few things today, no matter how trivial.

Leo 12/26/2016

Every time you wake up, shower/bathe, and dress in clean clothes? You've kicked your PTSD/Depression in the teeth. I tell myself that every time I *don't* wanna get outta bed, etc. I had a hellish year in 2016, just when I'd made some real PTSD therapy progress (I thought) and.... Yeah, it's normal to feel lousy when that much happens. And ifyou need therapy again, or meds, that's okay. Your life has been very unsettled and chaotic. It's the mental/emotional equivalent of a busted leg. If you need some therapy to get things okay, then there's no shame in it.

I am very sorry you went through so much.

SunCloudJD 12/26/2016

Big hug for you jaclyn .... Grief is so very painful.... I've had a lot of loss as well
If you're back into depression I wouldn't put off seeing a doctor... a psychiatrist preferably as this is their specialty
The sooner that you reach out for help the sooner stability will be had..... Another hug and a blessing....xo

rainbowlegacym55 12/26/2016

to live is to grieve Life is a continuum of loss and I am just coming back to normal from losing a brother a few years ago, one thing for sure is after a loss . it is probably not a good idea to make major decisions for a while. sorry for your struggles

patti22 12/26/2016

Seems like there are just times when life just piles on you (me) big time. No advice, just understanding and hugs, Patti

bellabuck 12/27/2016

Wow, you certainly have packed a lot into the last several years. I totally understand your emotions. Just when you think you’re doing well, something else happens and it seems to bring back all the emotions from everything bad that’s ever happened. But I see a positive move by you to recognize the sadness is there and deal with it, even by posting on here. We’re going to have tough times pop up but it’s how we deal with them that makes the difference. When we feel sad, and recognize we need help, we ask for it, whether it’s on a forum like this, or a close friend, family member, or even a counselor. We don’t have to dwell in the sadness and that’s something I’ve been learning this year through my own difficult circumstances. I lost my job in April and still haven’t found anything. Right now I’m sitting with my mom in the hospital—she’s been here for 2 months. I’m going to be praying for you jaclyn1973, because I know it’s not easy and some days it’s harder than others. But some days are also way better than others and I’m praying you have more of those.

gustokitty 12/28/2016

You've been through a lot! And you are strong. I can tell.

jaclyn1973 12/28/2016

Thanks all. I have good times and bad...

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