hodge
23-03-2007, 04:34 PM
Hi,
I've been reading some posts in this forum for several days. It's so good to see I'm not alone. I knew that intellectually, but actually reading about other people's experiences makes it real in my gut, you know?
I was diagnosed with PTSD summer before last. So it's coming up on two years of this new realization in my life. Lately, depression has played a major role also. I'm struggling with my "stuff" as well as working with my doctor on an antidepressant. I hope to not have to take the med for long, but at one point, it became obvious that I had no choice. I simply could not function without some help. I was having flashbacks and panic attacks that totally blindsided me. I have a really demanding job, and I needed to be able to concentrate. The antidepressant has helped with that. It's also helped me calm down enough to work on digesting the reasons I have this problem...a history of sexual, physical and emotional abuse during my childhood and teenage years. Before everything came to a head, I always thought I'd put it all behind me. I was tough. I was an "achiever." I also never considered that it was necessary, or even possible, to heal from all that. But I believe it's necessary, and possible, now. And I'm working on it, with the help of a therapist who's a specialist in this. But I felt I also needed to be part of a group of people who are also dealing with PTSD. No such group exists where I live, so I'm glad to find this.
Thanks for listening,
hodge
I've been reading some posts in this forum for several days. It's so good to see I'm not alone. I knew that intellectually, but actually reading about other people's experiences makes it real in my gut, you know?
I was diagnosed with PTSD summer before last. So it's coming up on two years of this new realization in my life. Lately, depression has played a major role also. I'm struggling with my "stuff" as well as working with my doctor on an antidepressant. I hope to not have to take the med for long, but at one point, it became obvious that I had no choice. I simply could not function without some help. I was having flashbacks and panic attacks that totally blindsided me. I have a really demanding job, and I needed to be able to concentrate. The antidepressant has helped with that. It's also helped me calm down enough to work on digesting the reasons I have this problem...a history of sexual, physical and emotional abuse during my childhood and teenage years. Before everything came to a head, I always thought I'd put it all behind me. I was tough. I was an "achiever." I also never considered that it was necessary, or even possible, to heal from all that. But I believe it's necessary, and possible, now. And I'm working on it, with the help of a therapist who's a specialist in this. But I felt I also needed to be part of a group of people who are also dealing with PTSD. No such group exists where I live, so I'm glad to find this.
Thanks for listening,
hodge