Living with PTSD

[dshanks]

I am new to this so I do not know exactly what to write. I have been in therapy for PTSD and all that it involves for a long time and I am always hoping that my anxiety, outbursts and jumping at any little thing will stop. Just wondering if one has to live with this all their life or not. I have been living with it for many years now.I am on meds which help with the mood swings and depression somewhat but not with the startling response

[becvan]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

For a good place to start, follow this link:http://www.ptsdforum.org/thread6093.html

bec

[Seeking_Nirvana]

Hi dshanks,

Welcome to the forum. I'm not sure if we all have to live with it all of our life, but we can hope, and continue to educate ourselves.

Best of Luck
Tammy

[She Cat]

Hi and welcome to the forum....

[txmomof3]

Welcome to the forum.

One thing I have recently realized is that I have used my avoidance to my disadvantage in therapy. I recently changed therapists because I needed to see an eating disorder specialist. My PCP encouraged the change...and she made sure I found someone who would let me go at the pace I needed, but also recognize my avoidance/dissociation. After I started seeing my current therapist, I realized just how much I do avoid and dissociate. I was able to avoid a lot with my previous therapist, who did only trauma work. Looking back on it, I am surprised she did not catch on (I saw her for 5 years).

I tell you this because I spend a lot of time wondering "Am I going to get better and, if so, just how much?" I have spent many years in therapy and it does get to the point of feeling like its just not going to work. One thing I am noticing is that I am at a point in my life where it is safe to deal with the traumas that have occured. Four years ago I tried to deal with things I was not ready to process and I completely decompensated.

Although we often wish we could just make everything better instantly, our brains function to help protect us from ourselves. Each person's healing process is their own and will have their own timeframe. After 15 years of meds, psychs, and therapy (off and on)...I tell anyone that tries to give me a timeframe on getting better that they have no idea about PTSD.

Anyway, I wanted to welcome you and let you know you are not alone. Sorry if I rambled on...it is just nice to finally have people to talk to who understand!

[vst]

Hi and welcome.

vst

[hollyberry]

hi and welcome

[dshanks]

Thank you so much for the response. It makes things seems a little clearer

[nie]

Welcome to the forum dshanks

[anthony]

Hi, welcome to the forum.