I am not coping and have nowhere to turn

[CuppaCiggieBiccieBliss]

I have ptsd and am on sertraline. I don't think it's made a great deal of difference but at the moment I am sinking even further. I can't sleep at all, as soon as I close my eyes the flashbacks start so I'm in a vicious circle of needing sleep but being too scared too so start on caffeine.
My family have no idea what happened so I can't talk to them about it. I should be so excited for dd, this is the first christmas she's really understood about santa but I can barely function. Even if I do manage to get out with dd (very rarely) I am constantly looking over my shoulder, feel panicky, sick and shakey. I haven't even took her to see santa as there will be too many people, how selfish! But I can't help it
I need a break from it. Just one day, to forget it ever happened, to be normal.

Hi Cuppa - sorry to hear of your troubles. Have you recently started sertraline? I hope you managed to get some rest today, please try to. Don't beat yourself up about your dd not seeing Santa, there'll be other Xmases, tbh unless she's badgering you about it distract her with something else (something pink and/or glittery worked a charm when my dd was young). send you a genuine ((hug)) HTH

Cuppa, I am wondering how long you have been on Sertaline? If you have just begun taking it, it could take a few weeks to feel results. If these are new symptoms after have been taking it for awhile, please contact your GP. There are meds that might work better for you, or perhaps you need an increase to your current dose..
Please know your dd will be fine if a visit to Santa is not possible. There is always next year. I am sending tonnes of good wishes to you..

Sorry I should have said I've been on sertraline for a few months.
Dd doesn't seem to mind about santa but I just feel so guilty. I am not good enough for her, who wants a mum that panics every time she leaves the house

Sorry I should have said I've been on sertraline for a few months.
Dd doesn't seem to mind about santa but I just feel so guilty. I am not good enough for her, who wants a mum that panics every time she leaves the house

Could you try going back to your GP if you're not sure it's working?

Please go back to your gp, it sounds like you definitely need more/ different treatment if this is how you are feeling. Even something as simple as gp adjusting your sertraline dose might help.

I've been on sertraline quite a while. I started on 50mg but am much better on 100mg. I think higher doses are possible too.

You don't have to put up with feeling this bad and I'm sure you're doing better than you think with your dd.

Best wishes.

Or try NHS Direct - they might be some help over the phone, it will get better, promise, you are a great mother, please don't read this post and tell yourself you're not!

Thankyou all, I see my gp every 3-4 weeks. I am on the waiting list for emdr but it's a long wait. Counselling was an absolute nightmare for me, I just couldn't do it.

Maybe if you tell the gp how much you are struggling they might be able to get you moved up the waiting list and seen more urgently? For any of my problems with depression I've been told they try to get women who are pregnant or caring for small children seen quickly.

I hope you have some support around you? You said your family don't know and it must be quite isolating dealing with this by yourself. I hope you're feeling a little better soon.

I have support when it comes to dd, but for myself I'm pretty much alone. It would tear my family apart if they found out what happened.
It's just all such a mess.

I have support when it comes to dd, but for myself I'm pretty much alone. It would tear my family apart if they found out what happened.
It's just all such a mess.