PTSD

[Ladystardust24]

Without going to into a super long post about this.

I've had PTSD for a number of years. I have really bad anxiety/panic attacks. My PTSD is related to medical stuff. I get really horrible "nightmares" (Considering it's things that actually happened, I'm not sure if that's really a "nightmare") But anyways, So yea. That's the gist of it.

Does anyone else go through this? What's helped/not helped. Any advice?

[Jean]

As I read your other post on the being born with no bladder, I thought, my God, how can she stand it. Now I know. Nightmares. I would think your Dr. maybe can medicate you with anti anxiety pills. ( I also take them ) They do help. My anxieties are just the normal run of the mill little bitty ones, nothing serious, not like you. God Bless you Honey and I hope you can get some help.

[jeannea]

I don't have PTSD but I do have some bad depression. I have a wonderful therapist who helps me so much. Can you find one? It's amazing how great it is to have someone listening just to you.

[cassandra]

Yeah I tried the therapist, and am using Diazepam now. Works great

good luck, love Cas

[cariad]

The only thing that has helped me is time. I had nightmares and what I assume was free-floating anxiety growing up and I still get the occasional nightmare today. I cannot take anti-anxietals because they just put me to sleep. Antidepressants make matters worse, they are notorious for causing vivid dreams. I have two themes for nightmares - drowning and sexual assault. I think they both relate back to being a child in hospital with adults conducting invasive, painful and humiliating examinations with no warning and no way to stop it. I have not been through a fraction of what you have, but I do think there is something unique to going through this as a child when you are trying to develop your understanding of the world and sense of trust. I have often wondered if I have or had PTSD, but most blow that suggestion off. The only person who takes me seriously on that is my husband.

I do not get panic attacks so cannot help there. I think all you can really do is learn as much about yourself as possible - what triggers you and how best to minimize exposure to that stimuli, and then also what sorts of action you can take when panic does strike to calm yourself down. I like tea. I find it very soothing and you cannot really overdose.

[Ladystardust24]

I do have a therapist, she's amazing. I've been seeing her for almost 10 years now.

Meds, that's a iffier subject. I do have ativan if I'm reallyy really not doing well.

@Cariad
I completely agree. I feel in many ways, I have gotten back sense of who I am. But there's times I can't. You're very right. dealing with this all since childhood is so different. I also have issues with "trust" (As in, it takes a while to really get me to trust someone. I'm serious about trust.) "understanding the world around you" Yeah. I mean, I adjust quite well to the world "around me" but sometimes I feel more like a animal that has been locked up in a testing facility and let go, than i actually feel human. The feeling of disassociation with feeling human gets to me a lot.

especially since, it's triggering everytime I have to go back to the hospital. Various degrees, but still. I hate hate being inpatient. If I'm anywhere near surgery/ICU I freak out. Needles make me cry. And just the whole process is draining.

I'm probably going to go see a PTSD shrink. And look into more stable medications. I'm not sure how/what and my exact comfort with them. But depression plays a large part in a lot of this.

I do try to cut down on things that make it worse and have some things in place, but there's times it's so in my mind and terrifying that I can't help but just sit in bed and sob for hours.