Do You Believe That PTSD Affects You Physically and Mentally? If so, How? - Page 3

sibemom · #21 30-10-2006, 08:59 AM

I agree that the symptoms are both mental and physical. For me because I also have other issues that cause me pain, I am getting to the point of knowing WHICH problem is causing what. What I have noticed when I was on the pain killers, they might have taken the back pain away BUT did nothing for the pain from the PTSD. For my being physical is both a mental and physical challange and cause such great fatigue. I have to always be aware of what I am doing and watch my balance so closely. My house looks like a POST IT WAREHOUSE, so YOU BET CHA it is both.

Ann

batgirl · #22 01-11-2006, 12:52 AM

My PTSD really effects my physical health. When I was first diagnosed I was suffering from really bad stomach ulcers and had lost a lot of weight. Everytime I feel upset or get triggered I lose my appetite, even now. The worst thing is that for a long time, I wouldn't go to the doctor when ill, until my illness got intolerably bad. So as a result I've had untreated pneumonia twice, and now I have quite severe asthma and have to see a pulmunologist regularly. The pulmonologist and my family doctor both say I am a "poor perceiver". They didn't really explain it, but I gather it means that I don't realize it when I'm sick, or I ignore it and carry on.

I can really relate to the whole mental exhaustion thing too... I feel like that everytime I have to go into a new situation, which is a lot now, as I am looking for a job.

IraqVet · #23 06-11-2006, 04:24 AM

I might be the only one that says no. Maybe it does affect me both ways but I have been able to manage the physical symtoms. I have always been a health and fitness nut. I am a little obsessive about it. My whole life I have, almost obsesively, exercised, eaten healthy, and slept on a schedule. When I am depressed or upset, I do this even more so. I tell myself that something is wrong and I have to make myself better. I almost never get sick or hurt.
I definitely have nights where I don't sleep and I definitely have a racing heart beat when I see a report about Iraq. I have times where I am very tired but I can usually push through these times when they come. I would see these more as mental symptoms anyways.

juls · #24 10-12-2006, 09:43 AM

It affects me both ways. Physically I become exhausted and mentally, too--can't organize thoughts and/or think clearly.

Borderline · #25 14-12-2006, 05:58 AM

My physical symptoms, started with digestive problems, ulcers. Asthma, in the last few years ulticaria, excema. Palpitations, I have even passed out once. At present damage to my teeth due to grinding at night, botox injections into jaw muscles have helped, ongoing dental renavations by specialist. Exhaustion etc.
G

becvan · #26 22-01-2007, 07:59 AM

There is not doubt that this affects me in every aspect of my life. I get horrid migraines from the stress, from jaw clenching, my jaw swells, I have IBS, my back goes out from being stressed out, I get muscle cramps. lose weight, have muscle spasms, stop sleeping, etc... I fall apart when I get stressed. Then my mind? Well, sometimes I wonder where it went. I have no memory, half the time can't talk or type or function in anyway, lose it emotionally if stressed etc.. then you have the mind playing tricks on you when your hypervigilant, having anxiety etc.. there is no doubt as to the connection with me. If one goes, the other follows.

bec

kers · #27 26-01-2007, 12:33 PM

The mental aspects gives me physical symptoms. Thinking about the trauma gives me stomach problems. Getting tense at every little noise, especially when I'm tuned into my trauma ruminations, means that my muscles tense until I'm exhausted. And because I can't get a good night's sleep, I feel lousy, am not hungry and don't eat well, which all leads to a weakened immune system and I get sick. A vicious cycle.

New Mex Apex · #28 04-02-2007, 04:19 PM

It starts with anxiety/tension and shaking, fatigue, elevated blood pressure, withdrawal from family/ friends, difficulty breathing, increased hip pain. Unchecked the symptoms worsen to severe outbreak of psoriasis, nausea, vomiting, irritable bowels, and vaginal bleeding. My body totally rebels and I am unable to function. I know the last sounds strange, not in your typical list of symptoms, but they ran thorough tests and that was what they said caused it. Other than my PTSD and a wickedly bad hip I am perfectly healthy.

Lisa · #29 11-02-2007, 02:47 AM

I'm affected both ways, definitely. Physically I have IBS, migraines, tension headaches. The headaches and IBS are chronic in that I've had to see specialists for both in the past - and both diagnosed it entirely stress-related. I also suffer with nausea, cramps. When I'm triggered I shake, tremble, shiver, my jaw clamps shut. I get faint and dizzy, and general discomfort physically. Mentally, well the list is endless. My memory is affected, my concentration, my sleep, my moods. I space out, feel unsafe, get depressed, obsess, distract, avoid, can't think, and get exhausted.

sheree71 · #30 27-02-2007, 05:55 AM

Yes definately. I was hospitalised last month for two weeks with "fitting" that I couldn't control. I'm not epileptic, but my whole body would twitch. The first night it was for 4 hours. I eventually ended up on a walking frame. After being moved to a psychiatric hospital, it was found to be stress and panic. My doc had a term for why I couldn't walk and needed the frame. Plus I have had abdominal spasms for two years with no known cause. I can now stop them using breathing techniques. The doc thinks they were stress/panic as well. So yes there is a link.