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Welcome to PTSD Forum. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a life threatening, debilitating disorder that can break down a sufferer’s body through anxiety and stress. Further it poses a significant suicide risk resulting from the brains neurological imbalance and chemical depression. Sufferers often live in denial, thus this community is aimed at helping PTSD sufferers help themselves through others experiences, guidance and education. We are here for the sufferer, spouse and families surrounding PTSD. Spouses and family are too often forgotten in this equation, and often they receive all the worst that PTSD has to offer. If you're involved in any way with PTSD, get registered and help yourself now.

Non-active members will eventually be deleted. If you are not a sufferer, carer or someone within the mental health industry, and active, then there is little reason for you to be a member of this forum. Non-active members with zero posts are deleted periodically during the year.

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Old 11-03-2008, 10:12 AM
srehmen srehmen is offline Gender Female
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Join Date: Mar 2008
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Default My Intro - a Caregiver
Hello - I am glad to find this forum! I am in a unique situation. It is a very long story, but here is the short version:

Following Katrina we met a family from New Orleans at a shelter. We made friends and fell in love with the kids. The mom could not accept a new life and went back to live on the streets of New Orleans, abandoning her 4 small children (now ages 2-10) with their 70 year old step-father. We told the dad we would help in any way that we could.

We are now Godparents to "our kids" and "co-parent" with the dad. We have found a wonderful group of counselors for the kids, but the dad is of the age and mind-set that he is not "crazy", therefore he does not need to talk to a therapist.

We see the results of the PTSD on all of them. Last night the 6 year old boy (3 1/2 at time of Katrina) told us the only time he does not think of the water that nearly drowned him is when he is at school and is thinking about his work. It breaks our hearts that a little boy has such a huge burden.

I have heard so many times - "why don't they just get over it" - and people do not understand that PTSD is not something you just "get over".
One of the kids therapists spent time in Iraq working with the soldiers, and we are so grateful that he understands the needs of the family. I spend every Friday, all day, taking them to therapy (the dad cannot drive them) - because the kids are so worth it!

I found a book for the Dad and he seems to be enjoying it - maybe it will help others as well - "Life After Trauma: A Workbook for Healing
by Dena Rosenbloom - it is available on amazon.com

I will be checking back to compare notes and asking for advice.

Stephanie Ehmen
Last edited by anthony; 12-03-2008 at 11:36 AM. Reason: Read FAQ section, Editorial Policy - No links or signatures allowed.
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Old 03-04-2008, 05:09 PM
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Seeking_Nirvana Seeking_Nirvana is offline Gender Female
 
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Hi srehmen and welcome to the fourm.

Peace
Tammy
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Old 03-04-2008, 09:37 PM
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She Cat She Cat is offline Gender Female
 
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Welcome to the forum......
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Old 04-04-2008, 07:41 PM
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becvan becvan is offline Gender Female
 
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Welcome to the forum.

I am a sufferer and a mother of a child with PTSD. It takes immense patience and love to care for our special children! I was just heart warmed to read your story and how you have become a real hero in their lives. Great to have you!

bec
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