Hi. Is this a forum for primarily survivors of abuse or those who have wartime PTSD? I feel silly actually posting this because my PTSD seems so trivial in comparsion. But it's debiliating me.

When I was five I was run over by a truck. I almost died, was in a weeks-long coma, and left the hospital in wheelchair with no one knowing if I would ever walk, talk, or really be more than a 'vegetable.' I made a full recovery except for a slight balance problem. Nothing.

But about a year ago, I was rear-ended while I was sitting at a traffic light. There was no screetch of brakes and I didn't see it in the rear-view mirror. The driver of the truck that hit me was really belligerent and hostile, and I wound of having herniated discs, extreme pain, and I had to go into PT three times a week for about nine months.

A few months after I was rear-ended I began having paralyzing anxiety about crossing streets and dreaded walking through parking lots, even if they are empty. My heart races, I startle easily and extremely, and I feel dizzy. My doctor diagnosed me with a mild form of PTSD [I don't have nightmares, flashbacks, or any other symptoms like that..]. My therapist explained my reaction very logically--that I was injured twice by trucks that 'came out of nowhere' so I have a fear it could happen again. I understand it but it still effects me. I find myself avoiding situations where I have to park in big lots, I grab shopping carts to brace myself against, etc. It effects more and more of my choices, and I've been startling at non-related things as well [like loud noises]

I am also trying to get pregnant and fear the outcomes of all this stress.

Anyway, if this forum is for people like me who have PTSD whatever the cause, please help with ideas, reading, etc. Thank you so much.

Hey. Don't worry. You're in the right place. Take your time to read the information sections, and try using basic terms in the search to get more. I seem to remember some specific threads listing lots of books too, somewhere.

It's all good, a lot of us here express a similar reaction to other people's traumas. Welcome to the forum!

Keep talking to your therapist to relieve the stress. After my accident and PTSD the stress prevented me from getting pregnant and that is very important for you right now. I also found accupuncture helpful in relieveing stress.