The pain I can understand, but if monsters are still chasing you in your dreams, then trauma is still prevailing, and either you still have secrets hindering your trauma, or you still need to deal more with your trauma. I think we can get the monsters to go away though... with a little time, and your already well educated on PTSD I am presuming...

What I find really outstanding in you Boo, is your sheer strength and determination to not lie down and take this shit... you will beat it come hell or high water, PTSD is going under control. I find it really quite aspiring to see such positive reflections from you, as I already see your posts of encouragement and experience to others, which is outstanding, because we all need some of that experience and knowledge you have. I honestly think you are going to recover from this faster than most, which is great to see... because I can see it already in your attitude through your posts.

Thank you so much for your words of encouragement. I was just pondering on your earlier question and it struck me that I have both the "Depression Workbook" and the "PTSD Workbook" I purchased several years ago. They are collecting dust on my bookshelf. I'm so good at running away! It's almost as if I'm afraid if I open the book cover something will jump out and gobble me up.
That's not realistic, but you get the gist of what I'm afraid of... not the book, not the questions, but the answers.
My goal for today is to start with one of those books and read a few pages, then give my time to digest what I've read.
~Boo

That is a great idea boo... and yes, I know what your afraid off, the same thing I was once also afraid off, though no longer am or plan on ever being again. I have those workbooks myself, and when time does permit me, I do plan on getting some pieces of them online here, as parts are very efficient in explaining and outlining particular instances within symptoms, which I believe anyone with PTSD could benefit. I say that because most with PTSD will not find the time to read an entire book, though with all the BS removed, they will find time to read the "to the point" parts that are pertinent to their needs.

I look at my past trauma nowadays, and feel it has only made me stronger... well, is still making me stronger. I have seen people dismembered, burnt, shot, head explode and even a race attempted to be extinguished because of their religion and beliefs... which was a tough one to deal with, especially when I was picking up some of that aftermath, but still, I look back and see what society can be, what it shouldn't ever be, I see parts as education and others as pain, but overall, it is now part of me, a part that I accept, I no longer am afraid off, I no longer have nightmares off, nor do I have flashbacks. My past does attempt to haunt me every now and then, but I can usually get it under control pretty quickly.

I can already see your headed for that exact same path Boo... because your one hell of a tough person to be in the frame of mind you are with what you have personally endured. I look forward to seeing your overall lifestyle get better...

I will leave the questions alone here though now, and cover them in your trauma diary instead... as I think you are going to find the handful of questions I just put there may tip you a little.

now that I think of it...
I also have the PTSD workbook,
I've opened it, scanned the pages.
But managed to avoid doing any of the exercises.
lol, and I've had it since October!

Therapist appointment in 1 hour...
Kinda feel like throwing up,
oh how I hate anxiety

Hi

Was wondering what I can do to help hubby when he has come home from a therapy session. He went to one today (I travelled with him but went & did my own thing during the session).
He was doing ok & then tonight he said he felt like (& looks) like crap.
Any help would be appreciated
jods

Y&A, that's too funny! I wonder if we took a poll how many of us have that workbook and have actually done any of the work LOL!
If you're up to it, let us know if your anxiety is any better after your therapy appointment. I'd rather have a root canal then dig away at the unknown... but you're my hero! You are so brave!!
~Boo

I don't feel like a hero! Nor brave...
just overwhelmed at times.

That would be a good poll, lol
I wonder just how many PTSD books are around that are basically "brand new",
tsk tsk.... we are so bad, heehee
I'm going to have to stop putting it off... and get my arse into gear!

Therapy went better than I could ever put into words.
I'll leave it at that for now :)

:loopy: Hi...all!!!! Right now I feel like a limp rag....I have been so symptomatic for weeks now....trying to get some things accomplished about moving...getting ahold of police to keep my sicko sister from doing her shit that could have me hauled off to the ER though nothing is terribly wrong with me....a cop yesterday told me that there's not much to be done about that basically except for one or 2 steps....it seems that my complaint is a civil matter [course sister knows I don't have funds for filing a civil suit]....I have been trying to get more housework done....not any progress there...I haven't even started to pull stuff together for camping this weekend....and I leave tomorrow morning so I decided to forget about everything that doesn't have to do with going away...I know when I see my son down there I will perk up I see my therapist tonight...I'm not going to bring much up....I could be doing some things right now....my BODY says STOP..STOP...STOP!!!!!! So I am!!! I will get back to the forum next week...I will be taking 2 days off after I get home...so I can just take care of me!!! BYE!!!!!!........wildfirewildone...........PEACE

Migraine city right here. Not surprised really. Have been trying to look after myself and rest, but I feel so tense it's like I have no control at all over my muscles. I've maxed out on the migraine meds, so there's nothing much to do but wait it out. At least my head feels like it's shrunk a bit now. I just feel worn out.

Have no work til Tuesday, so I can do my own thing at least.

Oh - I don't have the ptsd workbook, but thought about getting it. I have at least 5 other self-help books about ptsd. I have read them but avoided all the exercises. I deal better with the more scientific books - I cope far better looking at all the neurobiological effects of ptsd than reading about emotions. Even typing the word makes the panic rise!!!

It's a damn long road we're walking here. I need some new shoes!

Jods,

Funny enough... I don't think I've ever discussed my therapy sessions with my partner.

How about asking why he thinks that he feels like crap.
Is it the memory? The fact that he has to accept that he has a disability?
Chances are... if he's anything like me... he probally just needs time to digest what happened in the therapists.

Try asking him if there is anything you can do for him?
Maybe he wants to talk about his sessions, but doesn't know how to approach the subject.

Otherwise my advice to you would be:
next time you see him just sitting there, looking/feeling like crap.
Give him a hug, it'll benefit you both