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Coming to grips with this Disorder
Hi I am new to this forum. I am 39 yr old Male who has finally been diagnosed with complex PTSD relating to his service in the Royal Australian NAvy during the post 1991 Gulf War.
We are all grateful for your service.I am greatly sadden to learn of your difficulty.
PTSD cannot be overcome through time, mind control, etc. Therapy, sometimes combined with medication, is essential. Also, the more genuine, long term support that one has, also increases therapeutic benefits. Exercise and nutrition are also therapeutic, as are relaxation exercises, journaling, and reading literature by/about other survivors' healing. Group therapy can be an excellent support to individual therapy, so that we can witness the healing of others and know that we are normal and that we have had normal reactions to horrific experiences.
PTSD cannot be overcome through time, mind control, etc. Therapy, sometimes combined with medication, is essential. Also, the more genuine, long term support that one has, also increases therapeutic benefits. Exercise and nutrition are also therapeutic, as are relaxation exercises, journaling, and reading literature by/about other survivors' healing. Group therapy can be an excellent support to individual therapy, so that we can witness the healing of others and know that we are normal and that we have had normal reactions to horrific experiences.
JKJ: 'The hospital is definitely a safe place to let it all out.'
I hope, braddels, that this will be a place, the hospital, that will help you, as I do not agree that all hospitals are a safe place to let it out at all. I have never been to a place specifically for PTSD.
But when I was last hospitalized on a general psychiatric unit I was not even allowed to 'talk about it'. Someone said that they are aware that I had a bad experience, and I immediately started on how terrible...... I should mention that I am hardly a negative person and I think it was perhaps the first time in my life I really blurted this out. When I later looked at my charts, it said I had 'borderline features', and I swear it was because of that incident. I merely was not allowed to talk about 'it', and I think the reason was that this involved a hospital and an MD, and so the subject was 'off limits'.
Anyway, this is my first time here on this forum as well. For me, the PTSD, and I would also say it was complex, with more acute PTSD on top of it, it did get better over the years. (First it got worse from betrayal) The intervals are shorter and I get over them faster.
But what i really wanted to say in terms of saying something helpful is, that I found most of the real help I needed in the very last places, and from the very last people I expected to get it from. So, be open to that idea. I think I can say that I got more help from non-professionals than from shrinks.
So much for now.
PS: Unfortunately, visualization and distraction, and that stuff didn't work for me at all, because, and I don't knoiw if you agree, the purpose for the self abuse is to 'feel' when you feel nothing, or to feel better when you feel horrible. The purpose is not to hurt yourself?
I hope, braddels, that this will be a place, the hospital, that will help you, as I do not agree that all hospitals are a safe place to let it out at all. I have never been to a place specifically for PTSD.
But when I was last hospitalized on a general psychiatric unit I was not even allowed to 'talk about it'. Someone said that they are aware that I had a bad experience, and I immediately started on how terrible...... I should mention that I am hardly a negative person and I think it was perhaps the first time in my life I really blurted this out. When I later looked at my charts, it said I had 'borderline features', and I swear it was because of that incident. I merely was not allowed to talk about 'it', and I think the reason was that this involved a hospital and an MD, and so the subject was 'off limits'.
Anyway, this is my first time here on this forum as well. For me, the PTSD, and I would also say it was complex, with more acute PTSD on top of it, it did get better over the years. (First it got worse from betrayal) The intervals are shorter and I get over them faster.
But what i really wanted to say in terms of saying something helpful is, that I found most of the real help I needed in the very last places, and from the very last people I expected to get it from. So, be open to that idea. I think I can say that I got more help from non-professionals than from shrinks.
So much for now.
PS: Unfortunately, visualization and distraction, and that stuff didn't work for me at all, because, and I don't knoiw if you agree, the purpose for the self abuse is to 'feel' when you feel nothing, or to feel better when you feel horrible. The purpose is not to hurt yourself?
Kat has brought up an excellentpoint about hospitals. Be on guard until you know the therapist is sincere. I hope it is a fantastically healing place for you. Also, be on guard everywhere.
Happily, I once found great help from a single sentence from a person with a similar experience. She described how mentally ill my surgeon is. I knew then, that my reaction to him was normal.
There are good shrinks and bad ones, just like there are good and bad doctors. But don't give up.
Happily, I once found great help from a single sentence from a person with a similar experience. She described how mentally ill my surgeon is. I knew then, that my reaction to him was normal.
There are good shrinks and bad ones, just like there are good and bad doctors. But don't give up.
Hi! I too want to thank all who have served. I just wanted to say, I do not think I have ever met anyone who did not have mental illness at one time or another in their lifetime, have you? We can share based on what our experiences have been but I am leary of playing doctor and advising you that way. You can also find multitudes of articles on the subject if you choose to, so I will just say, the only thing I have to offer you is a shoulder and an ear and a prayr. I am here if you need to talk.
Today is what i call a depression session i stayed in bed most of teh day as it was the safest place for me. I don't know why it happened today but it did My wife thinks it is due to having a big weekend and very luittle sleep also I am trybibng very hard to not get angry alll the time over the small stuff. I am still waiting for admission to hospital. The hospital where i am going is called St John of God and they have a ward dedicated to PTSD Patients. a lot of this has come about thanks to those guys who serve3d in vietnam. Over here in Australia they have a very powerful voice and it gets heard at the very highest level; in goverment. i am glad that i ahve got those veterans to help me through the tough times when medications don't seem to work and teh little voices in my head try to take control. Thank you for you comments and support
Good luck in the hospital will you get use of a PC there or allowed your lap top, it would be good to hear how you are doing,your wife could have been right I know when I felt worse it was after I had had a good time, which was kind of a contradiction, sometimes you can exhaust your self.I have heard Australia has a good record on helping Vets, hasnt been that way here I am afraid . Good luck, feel better soon
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