Well, maybe I will just be the proof of overcoming PTSD symptoms in the here and now sometime in the future? Watch this space............

It was all my pleasure!

Spirit x

Well. Short answer. I believe PTSD is the medical term used to describe the illness you all suffer. And as such it is appropriate. Has to have some name or else there will be confusion. The illness itself is not a label though in my humble opinion. To suggest so is to suggest it is not a serious life long condition, which I believe it to be. I believe its incurable at this time. You will never be who you were before it either, in my humble opinion. There is a difference between unmanaged and managed PTSD. However. That is not the same as a cure. I don't believe there will be a so-called "after PTSD" until we see a cure.

Jim.

Bec, I have the same feeling as you, the diagnosis of PTSD was a relief to me, after being labelled "crazy," "overreacting," and "hypersensitive" for many years. It is very useful to me as a diagnosis and I do use it to label not myself but my reactions to thing, in a positive sense. So for example, today I had a stress reaction to something that intimidated me, and I went to tears over it afterwards. I began to criticize myself, and then stopped and told myself, "This is PTSD. I felt threatened and pushed into a corner, and I froze. It makes sense that I'm upset."

Labeling my behaviors as reflective of PTSD has done much to calm my fears of being abnormal or irrational. I do share the idea that it is a lifelong illness, but as Jim said, I think it's a matter of management. I hope to reach a point where I live with minimal symptoms and little reactivity.

We as people suffer from what is called a "chronic condition". As such, the condition will not go away, but with medication and therapy we learn how to live a managable life.

One of the happiest days of my life was the day I was given a name to the insanity my life had become. I did not make the condition any better but it certainly enabled me to make sense of things

Just had to put my 2 cents in!

Just my 2 cents worth

I don't care for the label the community places on me when they hear of my PTSD.

Is PTSD a label? Well, for me it was an answer, as I remember pre-PTSD me. I don't believe it was a negative label... more I took it as an answer to what the hell was wrong with me, as I just never used to be that way when uncontrolled PTSD was present within me. I can sit here and pretty much see me before, the signs during as a result of each deployment I went upon, then the breaking point, the meltdown points, the total collapse of my will to live, then the time when I had had enough of feeling that shit and went for broke.... learnt everything I could about trauma, PTSD, healing, medications, etc etc.... went for thorough experience based learning from other soldiers, counsellors, physicians, scientific studies, etc etc.... and I got the hell on top of the worst of what PTSD has to offer.

I also don't just outright tell people I have PTSD, though I also don't have an issue with telling them if I require them to know, or they require to know. It just doesn't bother me...

What bothers me more nowadays I guess, is that people have this perception of PTSD, those who have experience being around someone at the worst, then they meet me and say things like, "you don't have PTSD" or the like, because I look normal, act pretty normal, do normal things... though they don't really see the management side of myself... how I expose myself to society for a certain time, then when I hit my limits I go home to rest and chill out. I think I find that more offensive these days than someone jumping back if I say I have PTSD... ironic maybe!!!

Good topic Bec.

I don't think of it as a label. It's my diagnosis. But at the same time, it's such an integral part of me now. OK...has been since childhood. Just not to the same level as the last two years.

I've gotten very sensitive, for lack of a better word, to myself and my symptoms. I can feel symptoms coming on and, for the most part, head them off. Sometimes I'm still blind-sided and have to deal with the aftermath. I guess that's the management end of this thing.

I hadn't realized that I'm feeling the same way until I read this statement and it clicked. I recently told a friend, via email, about my PTSD. I've not heard from her since. Before I would have been very upsest and wondering if I scared her off, if I should have kept it to myself, etc. Now I figure...she asked and I answered. I have to deal with PTSD daily and manage it daily. If I can handle the heavy-lifting end (so to speak) of this equation then the light stuff of just knowing should be no problem. Should be.

I'm not sure if it's becoming used to having PTSD in my life. Or if it's finding a name for all of the 'crazy' stuff in my life or what. Or maybe it's getting used to having all sorts of family mental health issues (mom has anxiety problems, brother has PTSD and bi-polar, me with PTSD). Whatever it is, I've reached my F'it point with other people. This is my life...like it or lump it. Label me or not. I really don't care anymore.

Lisa

Anthony if I was in better health I would write more descriptively. Right now a 'tater sack of horse manure has better communication skills/capabilities than I.

Yes, it is a label. I don't mind the label, however, as I recognize that I do have PTSD. What does bother me is when that label is used against me to diminish my individuality.

We all have those moments CJ.... just work through them mate and know that the realistic outcome is that you will come out of it.