Any PTSD experience?

[NotMeredithGrey]

So en-route to my holiday this summer I was caught up in the military coup in Istanbul on the 15th of July. I was alone with my three children and at one point I thought bombs were going off and I was going to die. I called my partner to say my goodbyes and shielded my sleeping children. Thankfully it was just the sonic boom from the jet planes flying overhead, but that was scary enough as the planes were in the hands of the rebels who were trying to bring down the President of Turkey who was trying to land at the airport where we were. Long story short, it all ended but our flight was cancelled and the kids and I were stuck in the airport for 20 hours, before my husband was able to book a flight online and I could complete the journey.

Since I've been back home, I've been increasingly anxious when my husband isn't around, I don't seem to be able to cope with the simplest of tasks and I seem to be great one minute and in a complete mess the next. Is this normal considering what happened? Should I see a doctor?

[user1470043860]

I was diagnosed with PTSD after serving in the first Gulf War, I was lucky enough to receive decent enough treatment. What you need to do, as soon as you can, is go and see your GP. After that I'd recommend going to see a counsellor who specialises in PTSD, you can get very good ones for about £40 a hour. It's expensive but money well spent and you may be able to get it nipped in the bud if you act quickly.

[IsItMeOr]

Yes, this is very normal, and yes, go to see your GP. The fact that it is still impacting you a few months later suggests you may need some treatment.

Some relevant info on PTSD.

So sorry you had this terrifying experience .

[MyBreadIsEggy]

Similar situation to user1470043860 - but a more recent conflict - I'm still on the road to proper recovery, but I'm amazed out how far I've come with the right help. The charity, Combat Stress, were invaluable. I'm genuinely only still alive because of one of their counsellors.
Help is out there for you OP. Please seek it out. Your GP would be your first point of call.
And I'm sorry that you had to go through that experience

[user1470043860]

Sorry to hear that Eggy. Don't want to hijack the thread but glad you're on the road to recovery.

Meredith,

Keep us informed of what you decide to do.

[MyBreadIsEggy]

user you too!
It's been 4 years now, and I'm more or less "there". Have the odd bad day, but I think that's to be expected....my uncle still has his "bad days" 30 years later, so I'm not expecting a miracle "cure"!

[NotMeredithGrey]

Thank you all, obviously what I've been through pales in comparison to what happened to you guys so the fact that you're on the road to recovery is great to hear. I will call my GP tomorrow and let you know what happens. Thanks again

[MyBreadIsEggy]

NotMeredith
I hope your GP can be of some help to you even if it is just a starting point!
Don't play down what you experienced just because what other people have been through seems worse! If what happened to you is having this effect on your life, then it's just as relevant as anyone else's experiences! I knew what happened to me was a potential risk when I agreed to do the job, I'm assuming as did user, what you got caught up in was completely out of the blue, and not in anyway expected!!

[NotMeredithGrey]

Thanks Eggy, I tend to downplay it as my wider family have snarked on occasion that they think I'm exaggerating, even just two days after when I jumped at a loud noise, they said "Ooh she's milking it for all it's worth!"

[MyBreadIsEggy]

NotMeredith
Nothing like a supportive family hey?!
Ignore it. They clearly have been lucky enough never to have experienced trauma - if they had any idea what that feels like, they wouldn't make such comments.
My dad found it very difficult to deal with in the months following my experience. I took him to one of my counselling sessions and it really helped him understand.

[user1470043860]

Hi Meredith,

When I was younger my mother didn’t understand it either, I don’t think she does today really, never mind.

One thing you should learn to do is not be-little what happened to you. Some sufferers think there is some kind of league table of PTSD, there isn’t so don’t think that way.

Let us know how you get on, however, after your GP I’d make an appointment with a specialised counselor asap – the sooner the issues are talked about the better, believe me.

[NotMeredithGrey]

Just to update - I saw a GP and I've been diagnosed with PTSD and referred for CBT. Downside is the waiting list in this area is a few months and in the mean time my panic attacks are getting worse and not better. Still at least I am on the list. Thanks for all the support

[user1470043860]

Go private, ignore the list.

[KittyandTeal]

I have been diagnosed with complex ptsd (complex as it sits alongside my pre-existing bpd) after the loss of 2 babies in just over a year and a traumatic tfmr.

I am no where near over it but I no longer fit the ptsd diagnostic symptoms. I would agree that counselling (cbt doesn't work for me with my bpd) is paramount. If you can please consider going private, especially if your panic attacks are getting worse.

I also wanted to say I'm so sorry, ptsd is horrid and what you've been through sounds horrific. I'd assumed ptsd was a 'war zone' illness but it's more about how our process.

[MyBreadIsEggy]

Don't settle for just "putting up with it" because the waiting list is long. Please, if it's possible for you, find someone privately. Around £40-£50 an hour is standard I think (at least it was for me!).

[Comejointhemurder]

There are specific diagnostic criteria for PTSD and GPs really aren't in a position to diagnose it. You may well fulfil the criteria but I work in MH and will always question GP 'diagnosis' of PTSD and reassess as GPs just don't have the relevant skills or experience- not a criticism of GPs but they have to be a Jack of all trades and they're often incorrect when it comes to MH - particularly with PTSD.

If you do have PTSD I would recommend trauma focused therapy or EMDR rather than CBT but in some areas you have to jump through hoops of inadequate psychological interventions before you can access what you really need.

[KittyandTeal]

I've heard great things about emdr but we can't get it on the NHS around here and the only local therapist has a 10 month waiting list.

[Katkin14]

This CBT based book was recommended to me for panic attacks. It has some useful tools and approaches you can work through on your own that you might find useful while you're waiting. www.amazon.co.uk/Mind-Over-Mood-Change-Changing/dp/0898621283?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

[NotMeredithGrey]

Thank you all. I've had a really really tough few days and I'm seeing the doctor again this morning to see what I can do whilst waiting for CBT, also looking at any local private practices.

I'm not sure how I feel about medication but anything has got to be better than how I'm feeling now.

[user1470043860]

Don't settle for just "putting up with it" because the waiting list is long. Please, if it's possible for you, find someone privately. Around £40-£50 an hour is standard I think (at least it was for me!)

Same for me. You need to do this now and don't wait. Borrow the money if you have too.