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 Regular
Posts: 65
| Katielovestbs - 2017-04-06 2:12 PM
I really trust you guys, and feel like we are a kind of family. I don't really have any friends to talk to, but I do talk with my parents and boyfriend. I've been having a really hard time the last few years. I thought that I was going crazy, and just haven't been myself, I've lost all my friends, battled with terrible anxiety and on/off depression. I finally got help in November, and started getting treated for Anxiety. Well, I had my first appt yesterday with a psychiatrist, and he dug down really deep and got way more out of me than my primary doctor did. So...I was diagnosed with PTSD. I don't really know much about it, and I actually thought it was only for war vets. He had me get this book, and I'm only a third of the way done, but I'm having so many "aha" moments, and I really feel like this was the correct diagnosis. That's exactly how I've been feeling, so I finally feel like I'm not going crazy, or turning in to a B word lady. I have no experience with this whatsoever. Maybe you or someone you know has gone through this? Is it treatable? Did you/or loved one get better? Are there things that make it easier? Thank you guys so much for letting me open up about something so important and personal. I really appreciate the friendship <3
I currently struggle with C-PTSD and social anxiety disorder from a severely narcissistic abusive marriage I got out of a year ago. I was so ashamed and thought I was CRAZY for so long. I'd have panic attacks, be super moody, snappy with my daughter, (who is my everything), and was so isolated. I'd either not sleep or have nightmares and was so awkward in social situations I started getting migraines from it. I finally talked to a therapist & doctor and now have an anxiety medication I take as-needed and it's literally changed my life! Between that, a good support system, God, and just getting back out there, my life is finally starting to come back into the light. Some days are better than others, and some things still trigger me really badly into jittery, heart-racing anxiety & I have to take a little extra medicine, (I opted for non-time release for those moments), and then some days I get by fine without taking it at all. I had to detach from it- It's not something that defines you or I or our value; it's something that happened to you & I and a biological/ psychological reaction. What you're doing is perfect. Just keep on going and tune everyone out. My own dad makes me feel guilty for taking my medicine on a bad day because I'm a mom but the truth is I take it BECAUSE I'm a mom- and I want to function at the top of my game for my girl and myself! I had to just tune the nay-sayers out and do what works and start thinking of it without the stigmas- if you're diabetic you receive insulin; if you have chronic migraines, you take medicine, if you can't see you wear glasses, if you're lactose intolerant, you avoid dairy-- if you have anxiety, you do whatever works to address it just like anyone else and the muriad of ailments in this crazy world/life and you live fully. Don't let the diagnosis define you, just let it instruct you on how to dig YOU back out of there! having that information gives you the direction to do that! You're not broken, you're human <3 Prayers and good thoughts for you!! | |
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Regular
Posts: 65
| hoofs_in_motion - 2017-04-06 3:45 PM
I have ptsd from a previous physically and verbally abusive relationship, mine can be severe at times.....where I won't even go into a gas station if there are too many people because it will actually flare up my anxiety. PTSD is very manageable, different medications help different cases. I am currently on two meds that help tremendously, and i'm able to manage pretty well on them daily.
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This is me too! Crowds, pressure, stress at work, having to be in contact with him, (that was the biggest thing for me is keeping contact to a minimum), all makes it flare up. It was a nightmare for years but now that I'm able to look at it objectively and put a name on it and treat it like the "condition" it is instead of a character flaw I can just deal with it and work around it/prevent it instead f letting it make me feel absolutely worthless. You're definitely not alone! | |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1118
 
Location: The South | I'm so glad you posted this! Can you tell me what book you're reading? I had a moderate TBI a few years ago and I've been fighting to get back to 'normal'. My doctor mentioned PTSD at one point but I didn't give it much thought because I don't remember anything about my accident. I thought it only came from traumatic events that people remembered. But reading the replies on this thread makes me think I should have listened to my doctor! I have been avoiding a lot of situations that make me anxious but I'm ready to learn some coping mechanisms instead of just avoiding things. | |
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  Keeper of the King Snake
Posts: 7622
  
Location: Dubach, LA | Just Let Me Run - 2017-04-09 10:29 AM Katielovestbs - 2017-04-06 1:12 PM I really trust you guys, and feel like we are a kind of family. I don't really have any friends to talk to, but I do talk with my parents and boyfriend. I've been having a really hard time the last few years. I thought that I was going crazy, and just haven't been myself, I've lost all my friends, battled with terrible anxiety and on/off depression. I finally got help in November, and started getting treated for Anxiety. Well, I had my first appt yesterday with a psychiatrist, and he dug down really deep and got way more out of me than my primary doctor did. So...I was diagnosed with PTSD. I don't really know much about it, and I actually thought it was only for war vets. He had me get this book, and I'm only a third of the way done, but I'm having so many "aha" moments, and I really feel like this was the correct diagnosis. That's exactly how I've been feeling, so I finally feel like I'm not going crazy, or turning in to a B word lady. I have no experience with this whatsoever. Maybe you or someone you know has gone through this? Is it treatable? Did you/or loved one get better? Are there things that make it easier? Thank you guys so much for letting me open up about something so important and personal. I really appreciate the friendship <3 I have been through the exact same thing, and PTSD really hit the nail on the head for me too.
It does get better. You have to work hard at it though, its not going to just magically resolve itself overnight.
What is hardest for me is when I have a month's worth of really good days, and then get hit with a bad day. I always feel so discouraged when I run into one bad day, and that allows more bad days to follow.
Please PM me if you want to chat more personally. Big hugs for you.
What book? | |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 460
| The book I'm reading is called "The PTSD Workbook, Third Edition" it's by Mary Beth Williams. I LOVE it so far! Extremely relatable and helpful. Really helps you understand why you feel the way that you do, and that it's completely normal. I would really recommend it | |
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