For me it was something traumatic that happened to me that unleashed my past into my present. It was a flood of flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety and panic attacks, always looking over my shoulder, being easily scared, clinical depression, blaming myself, suicide attempts, and the list goes on. At first i was misdiagnosed as borderline. But after finally getting a therapist who really helped me dig in I was diagnosed with complex PTSD. Which is often misdiagnosed with borderline personality disorder. I have given up on having a happy life. I just cope.

Because of the symptoms, insomnia, anxiety, anger, innapropriate intense feelings for the occasion, clinical depression,erratic behaviours, ect,ect, ect....

I was diagnosed and once a read about it it was like "oh yeah that is what is happening to me to the T".It was actually a relief to know that what i'm experiencing has a name and an explanation and a recovery % and process.

Firstly, you will need to speak with a doctor and probably a therapist to figure out how deep;y the trauma in your past is effecting your life today. Most people with PTSD have depression and anxiety, but those two issues can also exist with or without PTSD being present. It is really the depth of the trauma and the ways that it effects your daily life that makes the distinction. Sorry as I know that is probably somewhat confusing, but it is the best way that I can explain it. Hopefully it helps some though.

Being diagnosed is really the best way. Some people (like me) can not affort therapy so that makes it much harder. You had a tragic experience as a teen. Do you feel the symptoms you read other people post? I'm sorry if it turns out you do have PTSD, it's not a happy thing. But you can come and talk about it here.

Count me as one of the people who can't afford therapy. I've searched for years for answers to my personal mystery of why I have these seemingly random and inappropriate emotions, insecurities, feelings of being under siege or under threat, flashbacks, and so on.

Then I read about ptsd while recalling memories of my miserable childhood and all the trauma in my life. It just all fit together like a big jigsaw puzzle. You can't put a jigsaw puzzle together and get a different picture in the end, the pieces have to fit. That's how I knew what is causing this relentless parade of emotional things in my head and the strange ways I have of dealing with life.

I've had enough trauma in my life to give ten people ptsd, so I have no doubts now that this is what's giving me all these problems. Whether I can ever undo the damage and stop all the symptoms is another question entirely. I have no answer for that one.

As Lostincolo stated, it was a flood of flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety and panic attacks that first had me looking for answers.

Then I was on the internet, searching and reading. After a while, I was fairly certain that I had some type of anxiety problems. Still, I had NO idea how deep and intense my traumas were.

Then I was officially diagnosed with PTSD & GAD. Having a name for my problems, helped so much.

I would recommend an official diagnosis for you as well, if that is possible.

Take care

Yeah some of us can not afford therapy.
I mean i could have afford it if it there weren't so many bad doctors but i certainly can not afford to keep paying first consultation to talk to morons until i find a good one............

I saw 3 here in Fl and they were useless, that's it can not afford to keep looking.Too expensive.

Sorry 4, i saw 4, useless morons and rude too.
One i paid 280 for a consul, another 160, another 90, and another 100.............I should have rip the money in pieces and throw it away or go to the mall instead.