Well. That too I suppose. ;-)

Jim.

Yep, she needs firmness... absolutely agreed. I know I need it when ill, otherwise I will run all over those around me and only making myself worse for it. Learnt that one long ago.

Travis still has difficulties as he finds her so cute.

I do agree as well though Anthony. I am also quite firm with her. It truly does work best for all concerned,. Yes, she did miss us this weekend, however there was much more to it than that. She was reverting to a negative pattern once more, and she needed to be brought out of it, the sooner the better. By firmness we are certainly not yelling, criticizing nor berating her. Simply we remind her what she was upset about in the first place and ask a few leading questions, which gets her thinking about things more clearly. At that point she usually realizes what she's doing and her attitude improves. I am not certain if this is generally true for others, however in Evie's case, I believe she forgets what she's learned, due to being overwhelmed with her current emotional state. A reminder is generally all she needs and once reminded she resumes working upon herself.

Exactly Kathy, well said once again.

Regarding the forgetfulness issue, that is not exclusive to Evie. The overwhelming anxiety that is thrust upon a sufferer often limits the brains ability to find information readily, hence another term being stressed. Those without PTSD can forget easily information when stressed, though when you expand this three fold or more due to the nature and size of stress from PTSD, finding information within the brain can be a daunting task.

This is why when anxiety prevails a sufferer must retreat if overwhelmed, they must use relaxation first and foremost, or something that they can do to relax. This immediately relieves the stress upon the brain, which allows them access to the information more readily. The problem here is often pride, in that we may do bad things, say bad things due to a lack of ability to access the information within our brain, however; we then build another realm of problems from guilt. These are all learning issues and one's in which must be learnt individually.

What you do is correct, in that you prompt Evie to the point of what occurred at which point she can then choose to acknowledge what is going on and then discuss the problems and feelings associated. Your method is what all carers should use compared to other more aggressive manners. Firm but fair is needed to deal with a sufferer though more importantly, to get the sufferer dealing with themselves at times.

Travis will learn.... just as we all do dealing with PTSD.

Well done though Travis just for being with Evie during her ordeal.... just being their is the right thing to do.

So glad this is raised as I also have this problem remembering the 'techniques' I've been taught or utilising the resources I know I have. It's very frustrating and I feel like I'm going round in circles.

I'm sorry Evie is having a tough time of it. Hope you are feeling better soon Evie.

You know what I would like all of you more knowledgeable people to do? I would like you to make up a sticky on how to handle someone with PTSD. Ya know, like you were just discussing in this thread about firmness and leading questions and not being too sensitive on the person. All of you "Super Carers" and "Super Moderators" and "Super Gurus" (I am being humourous here) among us here who know what you are doing should share your expertise, please. I would just love to know how to better handle a situation when I have to deal with someone else who has PTSD, or give tips to my Darling Husband on how to handle me when I get symptomatic and he lets me get away with too much crap. Even if you only have a list of what NOT to do, I appreciate that.

Oh dear not another sticky. There are so many in the Carers forum at the moment!

Seriously 2quilt, if you have any specific ideas for topics I could certainly attempt to write something in future, I'm certain others could as well. I would welcome a suggestion for a topic. We do already have several articles in the Carers forum and also in the Carers information section, so off the top of my head I can't think of anything to add.

i wish someone explain multipersonalities

Why would you want to know about multiple personalities? It is a rare disorder to begin with, those who actually have it do not remember the other personalities typically, and generally those diagnosed with it are in hospital permanently or jail.

People try and fake having it, and those who do are very easily found because they try and reference the other personality. I had one person come here stating they had it, registered multiple usernames here, stating it was their different personalities. Under such circumstances multiple personalities would not do that to begin with, as one personality is very different to the other, even typically totally different lifestyle, attitude, everything. A person with multiple personalities would never be known here as you would only ever know one personality, being the one who has PTSD or believes they have PTSD. You would never know it here.

Multiple personalities is not PTSD related either, so its not a topic of discussion here. There are forums already that would exist for such issues.

because I don't understand what is happening to me