PTSD ~ Please Tell Me About It

[Quootiepie]

Hiya

Some of you might know, I've finally been correctly diagnosed with PTSD, but im not sure really what the course of action is with it. I know I have to go to some therapy/counseling thing I can't remember the name of, but as for anything else, im not sure how they treat it. Is it cureable?

Anything about PTSD would be great, thankyou so much xXx

Part of my exeriences include DV. I am shocked GP, psychiatrist and physcholigist didnt pick up on PTSD sooner. (sorry cant spell!) Flashbacks, the state of being so pumped with adrenalin... shaking, everything. Avoidance of the "thing", and then on the other hand torturing yourself over and over with it. The list is endless... One way or the other, I need it to stop. Hence the overdose. I feel so trapped in countless bad memories.

Hi Quootie, I said on the other thread that I have come to the conclusion (based on my own experiences and those of others that I know) that there's much mis-diagnosis of PTSD and depression - neither are really that easy to diagnose in any exact way, and GP's are not experts! Have you heard anything yet about treatment or referral? Do keep us posted.

The advice others have given you about taking care of yourself is good! Get out in the fresh air, eat, sort out your sleep if you can, enjoy your baby, avoid alcohol. Pamper yourself with nice warm bubble baths (if that's your sort of thing) and just hang on in there. Oh, and breathe! Breathing is good! Nice, deep, slow, calming breaths, and relax your stomach muscles!

You will find a way through this and it's evident that there's plenty of people here on MN who will hold that expectation for you, every step of the way, especially when you struggle to do it for yourself.

Here's wishing you a restful early night with lots of good sleeps. x

Thank you xxx Ill definatly keep everyone posted. Have you ever seen Ryans Daughter? When the Soldier, everytime he closes his eyes he gets flashbacks? "shell shock". Thats like me. Thats how I am. The diazepam they gave me for panic/anxiety did help a little with that, made me abit numb and almost too "woozy" to get them images coming as quick. Fingers crossed GP will have that letter in the morning post... its been quite a few days now and nothing has happened. 2 years ago I was supposed to go for psychosexual (sp?) therapy, but that letter didnt appear and the GP left the surgery and I never went back to chase it up Hopefully im not forgotten about xxx

You definitely need to have a care plan in place before everyone disappears for Xmas.
Think they normally put patients on ADs and diazepam and then embark on counselling with an therapist. The use of drugs stabilises you enough to talk through the problem properly with someone well qualified and lay it to rest.

Unfortunately mental health NHS overloaded at this time of year so it's worth badgering. And it's important you find a therapist who you feel you can relate to. Panic attacks are common and terrifying but some ADs good for these.

I had PTSD after being attacked. From what I can gather the trauma of what happens overloads your ability to cope (i couldn't walk out the door). It's utterly hideous - big hug - but I promise it's possible to get through. The bath idea is brilliant, as are all other forms of self-pamering.

Eww, just read the bit about your flashbacks. Nasty, like the nightmares. All calming mechanisms like the breathing techniques already mentioned are a good start. But nag your surgery to get you in front of someone with the qualifications - not your GP - to help you properly. The very best of luck.

Falklands veteran Simon Weston is brilliant on the whole subject of PTSD in his books - lays it out very clearly. He really suffered and look at the life he has now.

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Thanks for the replies guys ~ im just about to shift onto another thread as ive found out the therapy they are using ~ Psychodynamic psychotherapy (had to copy and paste that!

I thought I was pretty "up" on these things, but ive never heard of it before... so im very anxious about what it's going to be like...

I have just recieved a letter about a short term careplan - but am not sure what they can do for the short term with PTSD ~ I doubt they will give me medication

Ive just skim read this thread (sorry jus lastting on 3-4 hrs sleep a night at mo bit fugged!), I also read yuor other thread when you od'd. Im so sorry you are having this as PTSD is quite easily treated. Its also eaisly misdiagnosed as dpression or PND as was mine for 3yrs.

There is another therapy which I have found Miraculous in stopping flashbacks etc . Its called EFT heres a link , EFT you can do it yourself , but its good to havea practioner talk you through the 1st time using it. I spent 3 yrs in trauma and in one session I dropped down as my anxiety/ reaction scale went frm value 10 to 3 in ONE session. Unforutnately its not avaialble on the NHS YET and it shouild be as its sooo transformative.

Good luck with yuor journey to healing X

Thankyou ~ can I ask then roughly how much a course (if thats what they do) of this would be roughly? Ill try anything to be honest

Hi Quootie, I've not been Flying for some time but saw you have PTSD and thought I'd give you a hug.
I had it after my first labour attempt (ended in CSection but it was the labour that was the nightmare.) I had the constant video loop in my head, was very angry and had some very violent fantasies about my midwife. I felt like my heart had been broken, I could see this version of me trapped in the trauma and I just felt so sorry for her, I was grieving for her because she couldn't get out. I had panic attacks when I tried to visit the hospital and one time the mw was at my surgery and nearly saw me.
I got through it eventually by writing to the mw and basically like grieving, just putting it away. However, when I got pg again by accident a year later it all came back and I felt my unborn son was a ticking timebomb to a catatonic state or suicide. I had 1 session of psychodynamic psychotherapy which was helpful in itself to feel respected and taken seriously by someone qualified. Then I got confirmation I could have the CSection and a lot of weight lifted automatically. After my next therapy session I felt the counselling was too hard to cope with whilst pg and potentially about to relive the experience so I stopped. They really scrape stuff up about your parents you hadn't realised had affected you, great in the longrun and it would change your relationships for the better but I didn't have time with the baby on the way.
Anyway, I am now cured of my PTSD, no longer angry, just sad for others going through it.
Having my ds the way I wanted (ie CSec) was the cure and I now volunteer at the hospital regularly even! Obviously most traumas aren't so easily 'correctable' but I just wanted to let you know how common PTSD is.
FYI I also got a lot of support from \link{ www.birthtraumaassociation.org.uk\here} - they should have some more info on treatments.