RE: PTSD (Full Version)

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bottominwa -> RE: PTSD (6/22/2005 12:20:14 AM)

Whilst i do not have PTSD my Father did and it is a nasty thing to live with. i do have recently diagnosed CSD, chronic stress disorder, stemming from Master's pretty much perpetual Deployment to the sand box the last three years....i personally opt out of medication and instead eat as clean as possible avoid stimulants such as caffeine and sugar and try and work out atleast an hour a day to burn off the excess adrenaline caused from the painc response.

Be well E/everyone,

sabrina King

House of King



lonewolf05 -> RE: PTSD (6/27/2005 1:50:28 PM)

i also have p.t.s.d., along with a couple other things.

it has caused me personally some problems along the way. i am happy i have, some, meds.
thanks



pleasureforHim -> RE: PTSD (7/8/2005 9:01:18 PM)

quote:

That's the repression part of it. It doesn't last forever, pieces will begin to come back, unfortunately most likely at moments when you really DO feel secure enough to let the blocks down. Creating a secure environment and allowing those pieces to come out and relive, and be able to PROCESS them, rather than become crippled by them is invaluable.

And it is a process- chunks come out as they will, sometimes not in a logical pattern at all, sometimes in flashes and sometimes in entire sequences. Often there's a specific trigger that brings it up- a sound, a smell, a look, anything. Realizing the connections as they appear, using them to help come to grips with the trauma you experienced and assimilating them into who you are now will let you work with it and live with it. Because things like this are never GONE, you just learn to cope and live happy WITH the trauma.


Emerald; you are a brat. PTSD is a very serious mental disorder that can wreck havoc with a person's life and is not always amenable to successful treatment by any standards. Yet you pontificate based on yr boyfriend's expertise; criminey. Sometimes i wonder if you have ANY sense of responsibility whatsoever? Telling the readers of these boards that PTSD is curable is a flat-out lie; it varies from person to person and most cannot be cured. Most sufferers lose a chuck of functionality due to the episodes...which are rooted in unimaginable horror and suffering. Your lack of empathy and responsibility just continues to amaze me.

pleasureforHim



mossy -> RE: PTSD (7/9/2005 12:17:43 AM)

[8|]Where did i go wrong with my post? i think i know. When saying how i felt, and in ending my post with these words: "walk a mile in my moccassins baby, and then talk the talk". Wow. inflamitory. There was no need. i would like to make an apology for these words. thank you. mossy.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Yes i was also diagnosed with ptsd....i'm only having a struggle with it now, because it was triggered. i keep talking around the issue that a long-term M/s pos. was involved.
As if saying that would put me on some sort of "bad-list". Be it guilt for getting involved, or shame for bringing it up publicly. So instead, i went ahead and spoke openly about the abuse issue, and adding insult to injury, make this lame moccassin comment. After this ptsd posting and the abuse posting, i consult with myself, on a different level, about what and how i am to share in public. Which is a good thing, for on a daily basis, life is a learning experience for me[;)] And even through the worst of times in my life,,,,i have gained so much. Beauty and strength can be born of darkness, and has many times for me. Optimism has always haunted me, all my life. It has kept me sane, tenetious, and sometimes quite stubborn..lol. Always i can see the wonder, and that is how i keep my joy despite any and all negative things.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



















pleasureforHim -> RE: PTSD (7/9/2005 6:28:59 AM)

mossy; i am so terribly sorry for the suffering you endured and continue to endure. Yr bravery and hope in the face of tremendous odds marks you as a brave and determined woman in my book; please email if you'd like to get better acquainted.

pleasureforHim



wednesday -> RE: PTSD (7/9/2005 10:12:34 AM)

quote:

It blows me away...the generalizations...the simplifications...the minimizations....walk a mile in my moccassins baby


I had a similar experience about 14 years ago. And I am, essentially, fine. You'd be amazed how much just working the stuff out for myself could do. And I do simple things now to accomodate my PTSD/fears. IE: Don't walk around by myself after dark.

I too have memory blocks, as well as panic attacks and night terrors. Do I let it stop me from leading a normal life? No. And actually, simplifying and minimizing the experience is EXACTLY what helped me become better adjusted. I made a choice to not play the victim card. And since then, my relationships, and my own mental health have been much improved.

Part of my therapy was to do community service talking with other rape victims. The piece of advice I was THANKED for most often? "Everyone's had problems. Don't expect people to pussyfoot around yours and mollycoddle you for the rest of your life." Most of the girls took that and were able to stand up straighter, bring their eyes up, and rebuild their self respect. The ones who didn't... well... they expressed a personal belief that no matter what anyone else went through, it couldn't POSSIBLY be as bad as what THEY went through. And that is just plain ignorant.

Nothing irritates me more than someone implying "you never went through this, you don't know how it feels." Yeah, well you don't know what the people around you went through, either. I personally can't stand people simpering at me or trying to be over-sympathetic. But that's just me.



mossy -> RE: PTSD (7/9/2005 4:21:41 PM)

Walk a mile in my moccassins comment was not in reference to other people who have PTSD or have been through similar experiences. Many, many people in life have been through, much worse experiences then i have. To be a "victim" i have never considered myself as such. Nor do i walk around with a bag of self pity on my back:) This is the very first time i chose to speak of this,,,,had the guts,,to bring it up,,,since i work with a therapist i am not alone.
my comment was in reply to posting, about other peoples pain and what they went through. i am very happy for you Wednesday you were able to work through yours.
Good attitude and good deeds are not always enough, to change someones brain chemistry back, from what happened. Especially if there is something already going on with their brain to begin with. Therefore a much better comment for me to have said would have been "To know all is to understand all". Compassion, grace and empathy are wonderful qualities keep up the good work. Giving to others is wonderful work.



pleasureforHim -> RE: PTSD (7/9/2005 8:14:19 PM)

quote:

Part of my therapy was to do community service talking with other rape victims. The piece of advice I was THANKED for most often? "Everyone's had problems. Don't expect people to pussyfoot around yours and mollycoddle you for the rest of your life." Most of the girls took that and were able to stand up straighter, bring their eyes up, and rebuild their self respect. The ones who didn't... well... they expressed a personal belief that no matter what anyone else went through, it couldn't POSSIBLY be as bad as what THEY went through. And that is just plain ignorant.


Wednesday; you extrapolate from one experience -- your own -- to all PTSD sufferers. Surely you are not as ignornant as you sound, but since that would mean you were intentionally cruel, i do not know what the f**k to think. i have enough experience with PTSD to know some people lose so much functionality as to be in danger of becoming homeless...and there are PLENTY of Vietnam Vets who are homeless due to PTSD.

For every woman i worked with whom i thought might be able to rebuuild her life from the ground up, there wre at least nine for whom i thought survival was a fine goal and everything else was gravy. mossy spoke about a horrific event in her life, which has left a legacy of a crippling nature. You referred to "not playing the victim card". Tell me, when you are pregnant, at the birth, do you intend "not playing the delivery card"? Some facts about a person are immutable...no one has a cure-all for PTSD and frankly since you claim you recovered i wonder whether you were misdiagnosised and never actually had PTSD to begin with. Because, wednesday, i have never met anyone who has been "cured" of PTSD. Ever. And i had a rather long career.

Next time you are tempted to tell someone to "pull themseleves up by their own bootstraps" -- check yourself. Pause, and reflect on whether your words need be spoken at all; whether they will inflict cruel wounds on someone vunerable; whether they are nothing more than a puffery of your ego at the expense of someone who reached out for help.

pleasureforHim



slavedesires -> RE: PTSD (7/9/2005 8:49:03 PM)

PTSD is as individualistic as each granin of sand is different, or each pebble on the ocean floor is different or each star is unique.

But available for each unique individual is some sort of healing IF they want it, decide and then choose it for themselves....even if they have differnt options at different times in their life...what works for one will not work for others.

PTSD many times can and some times its inevitable, lead to other emotional issues.
For those of us who have been diagnosed, consider the fact that you reached out for help because you were blessed enough to admit an issue and accept help.

I do know, that many have suffered PTSD and no NOT recognize it and live in the "waste", if you wish, of oppression. They choose not to admit or seek help for in seeking help, they are weak.

To imply that this is weakness is insufferable for me...there is GREAT strength in owning ones weakness and making it their great strength.

A half of life time of victorious living was stolen from me because i did not know...i just didnt know and when finally i reached the inevitable straw that broke the camels back, an inner voice led me to safety and healing.
One beautiful vibrant evening, sharing with my soulmate friend who had just arrived from Sweden, once again, an event swept upon the day and stole from both of us something we will bear forever. And for it, our friendship slips away.

PTSD does not always need to be war, death, murder, rape, abuse .... the intense severe stress that cripples can be minor to ones emotional health and yet catastophic for another.
God made us different for a reason....if i might borrow VanillaandCoffee's analogy...
were are all NOT M & M's with different candy coating. We are individualistically unique the core, even if we have the same color outside. The outside colar gives NO indiction of what is inside.

~~shy



wednesday -> RE: PTSD (7/9/2005 9:02:05 PM)

ahhh yes. Should have expected that one. There's always one who bites at that one bit of minutae and shakes it like a terrier with a rat.

My point, in fact, was just that. No one's experience is the same. Which is why I point to the "you don't know what it feels like" mentality. A mentality which you have just echoed. My hats off to you for proving my point.

The phrase "playing the victim card" refers to a specific type of manipulation. I encountered this most often when dealing with women who eventually admitted to either A) having become accustomed to people handling them delicately, B) enjoying the power it gave them to evoke sympathy(and thereby twist others to do their bidding), and C) having never really been raped in the first place. All 3 of these are devastating to those who REALLY suffer. If someone is truly the victim of a violent crime / trauma, it is a daily struggle and not something to be thrown on the table whenever a person just doesn't want to deal with something. I loathe manipulative behavior of any kind. Again, this is a PERSONAL feeling.

All in all, your attack is rather unthorough. This is evidenced by the fact that in a paragraph where I am talking about speaking with literally hundreds of women, your response is "you extrapolate from one experience -- your own" I also particularly enjoyed the part where you said "i wonder whether you were misdiagnosised and never actually had PTSD to begin with" Hey, kudos to you to being so judgmental that you would question a doctor's diagnosis based on, what, 3 paragraphs of text? I never said, or even implied, that I was "cured." I did say that I am able to function by employing accomodating behaviors.

I was 13 at the time of my attack. Some professionals believe that a younger age makes it easier to rebuild. Some believe the opposite. It is possible that I just have better coping skills than others. I am not an emotional person to begin with, never was. It's possible THAT has a good deal to do with my recovery. I also had excellent therapists who gave me realistic tools to get on with my life. Perhaps you see so much trouble because you (or the people you deal with) are not as well equipped.

I did not attack anyone, I merely related my own experience. One can only speculate as to why you would be so defensive about it, seeing as it most assuredly wasn't directed at you. But it's refreshing and reassuring to see that someone your age isn't above a little name calling or accusation-tossing



pleasureforHim -> RE: PTSD (7/10/2005 6:35:01 AM)

quote:

i was 13 at the time of my attack. Some professionals believe that a younger age makes it easier to rebuild. Some believe the opposite. It is possible that I just have better coping skills than others. I am not an emotional person to begin with, never was. It's possible THAT has a good deal to do with my recovery. I also had excellent therapists who gave me realistic tools to get on with my life. Perhaps you see so much trouble because you (or the people you deal with) are not as well equipped.


Wednesday, my heart is filled with sorrow and anger at your story -- abuse of a grown woman angers me terribly, but abuse of a child maddens me beyond all reason. i am so terribly sorry for your suffering and i do hope you got justice -- that your atttacker is still in prision today.

My point, dear, as that when you spoke of a "cure" for PTSD and of "not playing the victim card" your words had the power to hurt. i am exremely proud of you for the recovery that you have achieved. i do not really understand what you mean by saying "i am not an emotional person"; but that is not really important. What i am trying to convey is that other PTSD suffers may be less fortunate that you. They may be the ones who have lost a good deal of functonality and are living in fear of both the episodes of PTSD and of their inability to care for themselves.

As an aside: every county has a county mental health board, funded by the feds, and charging on a very generous sliding scale. The board generally supplies any prescribed meds for free. To find the board in your county, call your county commissioner's office and ask the staffer for it's name and phone number. Then call the board and request an intake appointment -- and request it be conducted by a licensed social worker.

Anyone who wishes to ma email me for more information about the county mental health boards; psycotropic drugs; PTSD or anything you care to...i am not a guru but i do have some experience in the field and may be of some assistance.

Now a word to wednesday: i apologise, dear. You suffered terribly and told the story of your recovery. i should have been more thoughtful in replying to you. You were somewhat harsh in your use of language ; e.g., "playing the victim card", but i think you were attempting to say something helpful drawn from your volunteer experience, not necessariarly to hurt anyone. The problem is, wednesday, not all sufferers are prepared to hear such language. Many just need to be acknowledged and begin their healing. So please accept my apology; and perhaps reflect a little on what i have said. And finally wednesday; i am so terribly sorry for your suffering.

pleasureforHim



wednesday -> RE: PTSD (7/10/2005 10:25:44 AM)

quote:

You were somewhat harsh in your use of language


That's just how I talk [;)]

Thanks for the apology, it's appreciated.



mossy -> RE: PTSD (7/10/2005 6:08:07 PM)


i wish all who have been through trauma as i have, strength and courage and peace.

mossy[:)]



Atavist -> RE: PTSD (7/19/2005 5:42:28 PM)

It appears that pleasureforhim is no longer around (no profile). A shame because after reading her posts I can only say that she is misinformed, although perhaps well intentioned.

Everything I've read states unequivically that PTSD is highly treatable with a wide range of individualized therapies. PTSD is a serious disorder, with some estimates indicating it affects 14% of the population. To say PTSD is "not curable" may be true (neither is arthritis), but it leaves the false impression that it is not treatable. It is.

To quote the NIMH (National Institute for Mental Health) web site:

Studies have demonstrated the efficacy (read effectiveness) of cognitive-behavioral therapy, group therapy, and exposure therapy.... Studies also have found that several types of medication, particularly the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and other antidepressants, can help relieve the symptoms of PTSD.

Its cruel to minimize the pain that people with PTSD carry. Its crueler (and untrue) to leave the impression that there aren't effective treatments.





pinkpleasures -> RE: PTSD (7/19/2005 7:09:12 PM)

[b]"The Owner was a therapist who specialized in working with vets and people with PTSD. His main method is to help the person re-live the experience mentally so they can allow themselves to acclimate to the experience, rather than either repressing it or making it overwhelming.

Emeraldslave2"


O Lordy. An episode of PTSD IS re-living the trauma for most sufferers, in flashback form. It seems either Emerald misunderstands what her boyfriend does, or her boyfriend is a bit "out there" compared to the mainstream mental health community.

Atavist is correct; there are treatments (as opposed to cures) for PTSD...a variety of them..and some sufferers respond very well. Compare this to epilepsy. Some sufferes respond so well to medication they are virually free of "fits". Some respond well to surgical solutions. However, some cannot be helped by any means and cannot lead a normal life.

The sufferers of PTSD are in this type of classification. They are a rainbow of real people with real symptoms and responses to treatment. We hope all of them will respond well and be free of episodes, but our hopes are dashed on reality. Nonetheless, anyone with the disorder should seek help for whatever margin of quality of life it can bring.

Myself, i think A/all who spoke about the trauma that set the disorder in motion in T/their lives showed bravery and compassion...and i stand in awe of T/them.

pinkpleasures.



mossy -> RE: PTSD (7/20/2005 12:37:11 AM)

Good Evening Atavist it is very nice to see You, Hello pinkpleasures it is good to see you too. you both know who this is, it's mossy.
You both know that i have been diagnosed with complex ptsd disorder.
But also... i have some mild tbi (mild traumatic brain injury) frontal lobe, *whatever, so this complicates the ptsd. They complicate one another. The head traumas/and the ptsd traumas/"occured before i turned 18."
*translation of /whatever for me: this is something i have been living with for quite awhile. i do not have time to stop, and sit around, and say, poor me. Trust me for if i did this? You might as well put me in a mental wheelchair. You can't do that!!! Because i have PLANS!!!...to live..enjoy...laugh...play...and some other getting well stuff... Life goes on.
And it will, with or without my silly butt...so it might as well be with me[:D]

Atavist thank You, pink pleasures thank You, You were Both correct.
Researchers, are still looking at ptsd.The different kinds of ptsd, the age the trauma begins, how long it continues, who does the abuse if it is indeed abuse. Then there is war, did the veteran actually cause death during combat, or see death caused. etc. This whole arena is only "approximately 11yrs." imho: Not enough time has passed yet. Another time/place perhaps...lol. [;)] Then more will be known [8|] and my smiley guy won't roll his eyes when i share!
* Looking for good accurate Information? if you like contact me i can give you the name of a few books. i absolutely swear by this book:
It is Called "Trauma and Recovery" By Judith Herman M.D. She is the associate clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. btw...it is not a newer book...1992, she was just ahead of her time. nite.



Atavist -> RE: PTSD (7/20/2005 6:19:39 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: mossy


*translation of /whatever for me: this is something i have been living with for quite awhile. i do not have time to stop, and sit around, and say, poor me. Trust me for if i did this? You might as well put me in a mental wheelchair. You can't do that!!! Because i have PLANS!!!...to live..enjoy...laugh...play...and some other getting well stuff... Life goes on.
And it will, with or without my silly butt...so it might as well be with me[:D]


Mossy is proof that life goes on with PTSD. That you can laugh, have joy and loving relationships with PTSD. There are many many others like her that do the same thing. These people have incredible courage. I've learned a bit in the past few weeks on this subject, spoken to a few with PTSD and they amaze me. It actually renews my faith in humanity.



IronBear -> RE: PTSD (7/20/2005 10:59:20 AM)

Like many others I suffered and still do to a lesser degree from five years ‘nam time as well as other combat areas about the globe. Good counselling and talking with others who have similar backgrounds has made a huge difference. Yep I still have nightmares at times and I have a problem in large crowds on a bad day. I know I just need to have my back clear and I’m ok until I can get some space about me. Funnily enough, I have never had any problems during involvements in both martial arts and medieval groups combat activities (both the SCA and metal weapons). Probably I know I’m not being threatened in reality on a life threat basis. I guess I’ve learned to differentiate on a subconscious level. Still I am blesses with having good people around me and that does help. (Chuckles) Our 8 year old female Malamute is a great help too. She always heads straight to me if I’m down or my blood sugar is to high. PTSD is the last thing I worry about these days. I just refuse to allow the PTSD, diabetes or a damaged left knee screw up my life. My father used to say: “Life is like a pork chop… You’ll either enjoy it or it will make you sick. The choice is yours!”



Faramir -> RE: PTSD (7/21/2005 11:23:01 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: pleasureforHim

Emerald; you are a brat. PTSD is a very serious mental disorder that can wreck havoc with a person's life and is not always amenable to successful treatment by any standards. Yet you pontificate based on yr boyfriend's expertise; criminey. Sometimes i wonder if you have ANY sense of responsibility whatsoever? Telling the readers of these boards that PTSD is curable is a flat-out lie; it varies from person to person and most cannot be cured. Most sufferers lose a chuck of functionality due to the episodes...which are rooted in unimaginable horror and suffering. Your lack of empathy and responsibility just continues to amaze me.

pleasureforHim[/color]


Well - she may be a brat, but your a hypocrtite - you're handing out your medical opinion just as freely.



Faramir -> RE: PTSD (7/21/2005 11:40:19 AM)

Interesting to read these responses. I was a foster parent for 10 years, and been an adoptive parent (public adoption) for 7 years. The pool of kids I dealt with had undergone abuse, neglect or both, and almost all of them had developed severe maldaptive responses to that abuse/neglect.

One of my adopted boys was diagnosed with PTSD - he burned our house down in 2003 (boy was that a sucky day) and there was a court ordered series of assesments. In the course of family therapy with him I did all I could to become an informed laymen - PTSD is something I have a personal interest in as a subject.

I'm stunned to see person after person here saying they have PTSD - it only affects about 3% of the US population - it seems significant to have so many people responding this way. Anyway, my heart goes out to anyone who has suffered such seevre trauma that they suffering an anxiety disorder over it.



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