PTSD

[joewow]

hi guys ... i wanna know if someone has this problem .. Yes i am talking about PTSD . i wanna know that how you peoples cope with this stress disorder or you also just depended on some drugs ?

[annette1]

Hi Joe & welcome to the forum

I was diagnosed with PTSD 3yrs ago. Its been a very long journey but, with the help & support of my GP, psychologist, medication & family & friends I am now in recovery.

Although I tried to get through with out medication I reached a point when i had to give in & take them & guess what? all my fears about taking them were completely irrational.
I am happy, healthy, can manage my anxiety, life feels worth living again.

[Frankie111]

Hi joewow and annette1, do either of you experience the emotional numbness side of PTSD where you can't feel love for anyone at all?

[ammiemum]

frankie111 a relief to know someone else feels that i just thought it was me.. thankyou- as for ptsd suffered with this for over 40 years! didnt realise it until the last 3 years of various therapies after 'breakdown' ....i have to say cbt and reliving therapy -although bl###y hard and scary helped me to realise the basis of a lot of the probs in my life- uncovered or let out a few more but to answer q no drugs until the last 2 or 3 years ...... some days are still lost but at least i can now see the tunnel and just hoping that light isnt another train!!

[Hodgie]

Hi new to site
What I have read I could of almost written it my self
I have PTSD for some years now been of work almost a year if I don't take my medication then iam awful I get panic attacks and flashbacks
But they do not stop even with medication.
Have had emdr and cbt but found them of little use.Now iam on the Nhs waiting list to see a phyc
I hardly ever go out my temper has got worst but wife and family have been very supportive my worst times are at night I take sleeping tablets but sometimes whith in an hour iam awake most of the night
With flashbacks and panic attacks
So it's nice to no iam not alone and can talk to people who understand
Take care people
Hodgie

[annette1]

Hi Hodgie

Welcome to NMP. I'm pleased you've found us, you'll find lots of helpful information & support here.

So sorry to hear therapy hasn't helped you, maybe a psych will be able to help you with different medication. Sleep deprivation is horrible isnt it, a vicious circle of needing sleeping but not wanting to because of your symptoms. I found Amitriptyline a better medication for sleep as it doesn't knock you out but extends your sleep time.

Who did you have therapy with, was he/she a trauma specialist? For me that made a tremendous difference as they are able to take you deeper into the past & help you to understand why you have ptsd & how to manage your symptoms.

If you are interested here is another forum site which is specifically for ptsd sufferers & carers www.ptsdforum.org its been a great help to me.

Take care & stay strong. After three years of therapy etc I am finally in recovery, I hope you find some good help soon.

Here to listen anytime.
Annette

[Hodgie]

Thankyou
Annette
I had my first treatment of emdr with a woman specialist and my cbt with a woman from buba.
Maybe I will see some light at the end of the tunnel when I have finished with my work.
Hopefully I can try and move on
Thankyou
Barry x

[ali mckay]

Hey
I was diagnosed about 4 months ago after a bad car crash I had been on loads of mess for it but non worked for me made me worse infact I found the best thing was cbt its truely amazing has helped me a lot also found pushing your bounderys a big help too doing things youd normal try avoiding keep doing them and it gets easyer.

[annette1]

Well done Ali, you've been working so hard in such a short time It's good to keep those boundaries moving or they become ingrained into your thoughts & behaviour.

Stay strong & keep going![COLOR="blue"]

---------- Post added at 05:06 ---------- Previous post was at 05:05 ----------

Hi Hodgie

How are you? getting on with therapy ok?
I had EMDR too & found the results amazing, it really is worth the hard work.

Annette