PTSD and Trauma recovery

[Jason]

Thanks for posting this. It caught my attention right away. I know a lot about PTSD...not bragging that is for sure because I wish I didn't know as much as I do. I think it is highly misunderstood and possibly not treated properly. It often leaves the people that suffer with PTSD symptoms feeling isolated and alone because of the lack of understanding....just think of the people returning home from war...vietnam. There are a lot of different ways a person can experience trauma, but the symptoms of PTSD are all the same...the flashbacks and visualizations that occur are just of whatever experiences each individual had that caused the severe trauma.

[AtLast]

Originally Posted by Jason

Thanks for posting this. It caught my attention right away. I know a lot about PTSD...not bragging that is for sure because I wish I didn't know as much as I do. I think it is highly misunderstood and possibly not treated properly. It often leaves the people that suffer with PTSD symptoms feeling isolated and alone because of the lack of understanding....just think of the people returning home from war...vietnam. There are a lot of different ways a person can experience trauma, but the symptoms of PTSD are all the same...the flashbacks and visualizations that occur are just of whatever experiences each individual had that caused the severe trauma.

And then there are the exaggerated or increased startle responses.... ARGH, never know if I am going to scare innocent people!!! Yes, soft ....

[Princess4u]

Originally Posted by AtLastHome

And then there are the exaggerated or increased startle responses.... ARGH, never know if I am going to scare innocent people!!! Yes, soft ....

OMG yes...i used to have friends who thought it was funny to see me jump when the phone rang or someone knocked on the door..or they would pretend to hit me....and watch me jump and raise my arms to defend myself..it was a big game to them...but to me it was normal...it was all i knew. I thought that everyone had that reaction to noises or fast reactions. Then when i was in the psychologists office getting tested for learning disorders...his phone rang and he noticed my reaction...that is when i was diagnosed w PTSD. That was over 20 years ago, and nothing has changed...well except i dont have those same friends anymore...

[Leigh]

Originally Posted by LittleShug

Hi Everyone!

Just thought I'd stop in real quick before I go to bed, and say hello...I have been running around all day, praise God! The pneumonia doesn't know what hit it! lol...It's been downgraded to acute bronchitis but it might as well go on now, cuz I got too many things to do this weekend!

Also, I spent the day running errands with my daughters, reconnected with an old friend, shopped and shopped some more...had dinner with the hunny and the kids...(kids, 23 and 17)...my girlie chihuahua is in heat, my daughter's miniature pinscher is also a girlie and also in heat...(Oh Lord) we have these poor lil girls taking turns humping each other and trying to do something and not really knowing what...lol...I figured I would share this with you all, since well, it's kinda funny haha and funny strange at the same time...and I'm mortified one moment and laughing and screaming the next...lol...just thought I'd get ya to laugh with me...oh my goodness...lol...

That's most of my day...will be back soon....sorry for the derail...

Love and many blessings to all!

Shug

Thanks for the funny moment Shug lol

I remember an ex of Mine from like 6 yrs back had a little dog named Bear, and when he was in heat he would get on top of his rolled up brown blanket and hump he hell out of it lol it was disturbing sometimes but others it as funny as hell

Originally Posted by Ol' Jet

I'm a music collector, I have 80 years of music, Big band, swing and jazz being most of it. Music is everything. And much of the time, has got me through many hours.

With limited funds right now, I'm not able to expand My music collection as much as I would like to but I'm glad there are sites out there like YouTube where I can find old videos and favorite songs from the past

I also have used music to get Me through some of the harder times in My life, and its done wonders for Me ........ thank goodness for music

Originally Posted by Jason

Thanks for posting this. It caught my attention right away. I know a lot about PTSD...not bragging that is for sure because I wish I didn't know as much as I do. I think it is highly misunderstood and possibly not treated properly. It often leaves the people that suffer with PTSD symptoms feeling isolated and alone because of the lack of understanding....just think of the people returning home from war...vietnam. There are a lot of different ways a person can experience trauma, but the symptoms of PTSD are all the same...the flashbacks and visualizations that occur are just of whatever experiences each individual had that caused the severe trauma.

Good post Jason, thanks for including it

[Dragonfly]

Muddy Waters can always bring a happy haze over my brain if the panic attack isn't too severe. It will Block out whatever thoughts are there and bring me back down heart rate and breathing too. I dont really hear the lyrics as words or think of the blues as depressing. It is something beyond that, it's my association with it and how his music is so tied to a Huge positive thing to me personally.

There are other artists and other genres that can do the same thing for me, so it's not just "the blues" making me feel happy in general as is usual. I think music therapy is a miracle all by itself. Finding the songs that work for you is the hardest part. Association was what I think helped me, I associate certain songs with memories or moods. Then Make the mixed cd's and keep them around to try, dont expect it to work every time... just throw it in there with the other things you already do to combat the ptsd symptoms you have.

I just rented yoga dvd's that are for beginners (or "out of shape") to use without doing the complete yoga thing. Relaxation techniques and breathing and stretches that reduce stress depression and related issues. One of them is candlelight yoga, cant wait to try em out. I got them under the guise of "for" my daughter since she is yoga newbie totally and uninterested since birth lol. But I confess I am really excited to participate in yoga structured exercises geared to help with both of our ptsd, not just as an exercise geared for fitness, and doing it together is another bonus. Just passin on the ideas...

[atomiczombie]

Quick update on me:

My Dad started having heart trouble in the beginning of January and was in the hospital for a week. He was short of breath and weak. His heart was in atrial fibrolation (or however it is spelled lol). At that time the cardiologist told him he needed a new aortic valve. He had aortic stenosis, where the valve doesn't open wide enough to let all the blood flow like it should, and he got congestive heart failure as a result.

On Feb 9th he went in to have the open heart surgery. They replaced his valve with a cow valve (moooo). He had some complications after his surgery and was in the ICU for 10 days (bleeding out, tachycardia, etc). He finally was able to go home after 12 days in the hospital. We were told before the surgery that he would be in the hospital for 5-7 days, so it was very stressful when he didn't get to leave until quite a bit later.

Since he has been home, I have been his main caregiver during the days while my mom works. I feed him and help him walk and make sure he takes his medicines, things like that. He had some lingering complications at home, which are now getting ironed out, thankfully. He is going to be ok.

All of this put a lot of stress on me and I slipped back into having panic attacks, stuttering and stammering, tics, etc. When I get like that I just want to crawl into a hole and hide from the world. That is why I haven't been posting for a while. Everything was overwhelming, worrying about my dad and all, so I shut everyone out like I usually do.

I am wishing you all well and glad we have this space to come together and talk about our struggles and victories. Hang in there everyone, and thanks for the support.

Drew

[Princess4u]

Dear A,
I am sorry to hear your family has been under such stress. I hope your dad is healing well. Caridac surgery can be a long recovery depending upon the health and ability of the person. The stress it can bring to the caregiver is seemingly limitless. You want to let your dad do what he can within his limitations set by the doctor. Dont "baby" him, as some pple tend to do, and some men tend to allow their family to do for them. When in reality it lengthens the rehab time. Take a deep breath, just breath, do something good for you too. If its a walk alone or reading a book, going to the movies w friends, just something. If you have any questions please feel free to email me anytime, my speciality is post cardiac surgery. Take care my dear.....and take care of you!!!

Originally Posted by atomiczombie

Quick update on me:

My Dad started having heart trouble in the beginning of January and was in the hospital for a week. He was short of breath and weak. His heart was in atrial fibrolation (or however it is spelled lol). At that time the cardiologist told him he needed a new aortic valve. He had aortic stenosis, where the valve doesn't open wide enough to let all the blood flow like it should, and he got congestive heart failure as a result.

On Feb 9th he went in to have the open heart surgery. They replaced his valve with a cow valve (moooo). He had some complications after his surgery and was in the ICU for 10 days (bleeding out, tachycardia, etc). He finally was able to go home after 12 days in the hospital. We were told before the surgery that he would be in the hospital for 5-7 days, so it was very stressful when he didn't get to leave until quite a bit later.

Since he has been home, I have been his main caregiver during the days while my mom works. I feed him and help him walk and make sure he takes his medicines, things like that. He had some lingering complications at home, which are now getting ironed out, thankfully. He is going to be ok.

All of this put a lot of stress on me and I slipped back into having panic attacks, stuttering and stammering, tics, etc. When I get like that I just want to crawl into a hole and hide from the world. That is why I haven't been posting for a while. Everything was overwhelming, worrying about my dad and all, so I shut everyone out like I usually do.

I am wishing you all well and glad we have this space to come together and talk about our struggles and victories. Hang in there everyone, and thanks for the support.

Drew

[Jet]

Originally Posted by Jason

but the symptoms of PTSD are all the same...

no...they...are not all the same.
and i resent my sufferings being grouped as general experiences.

[Apocalipstic]

I think we can say that some of the symptoms of PTSD are the same even if the original trauma is different.

Whether it be abuse, war, bombs, loss, a traumatic event....whatever it is, we end up learning coping skills to get us through, to keep ourselves alive...then, when the actual event (or events) is over, we still have those hyper aware coping mechanisms we had to use to survive which do not necessarily work well in every day life.

Everyone has their own hell, but many of the symptoms of that hell manifest in similar ways. It is our bodies response to abnormal situations.

Symptoms like:

Re-experiencing the traumatic event
Intrusive, upsetting memories of the event
Flashbacks (acting or feeling like the event is happening again)
Nightmares (either of the event or of other frightening things)
Feelings of intense distress when reminded of the trauma
Intense physical reactions to reminders of the event (e.g. pounding heart, rapid breathing, nausea, muscle tension, sweating)
Avoiding activities, places, thoughts, or feelings that remind you of the trauma
Inability to remember important aspects of the trauma
Loss of interest in activities and life in general
Feeling detached from others and emotionally numb
Sense of a limited future (you don’t expect to live a normal life span, get married, have a career)
Difficulty falling or staying asleep
Irritability or outbursts of anger
Difficulty concentrating
Hyper vigilance (on constant “red alert”)
Feeling jumpy and easily startled
Anger and irritability
Guilt, shame, or self-blame
Substance abuse
Depression and hopelessness
Suicidal thoughts and feelings
Feeling alienated and alone
Feelings of mistrust and betrayal
Headaches, stomach problems, chest pain

I have many of these. For example, it never occurred to me I would live to be 46. Never for one second.

I am hyper vigilant and very easily startled. I have had substance issues, depression, thoughts of suicide, anger, stomach, head and chest pain, I relive some of the traumas over and over, guilt, feeling of detachment, sleep problems, muscle tension, breathing issues, nausea, self blame, guilt, guilt, guilt, flashbacks intense physical reactions and more.

The Brain Spotting (in therapy) is intense, but seems to be helping. We started walking after work. I hope I can keep it up. I need to exercise and to get out more other than work.

No ones walk is alike, agreed! But we do have enough in common to understand and be here for each other when we can.

[Apocalipstic]

I have been so jumpy.

I know it makes people feel strange around me when every little movement almost makes me scream. I am hoping that getting some exercise will help.

[Leigh]

I get that often too, where every little thing makes Me nervous or jumpy ~ hopefully that will go away sometime in the future

[Apocalipstic]

I am kind of worried about this weekend, lot's of social obligations. I so hope everything goes smoothly and I don't get overwhelmed.

I am especially excited that I get to meet Princess4u tomorrow evening!

[Apocalipstic]

I was just over on the "Do You Remember" thread.

It's funny how you can be the same age as someone else and they experienced childhood in such a different through rose glasses way. The world was safe, everything was happy and easy and good and bright...

The world has never been safe. There were no good ole days.

[Jet]

I'm not posting much having been traveling through my trauma. It's not over. I don't have much of an appetite or desire to do much, but I've just showered and eaten something and I wanted to touch base. I have the feeling I won't be around much; I can't say for sure how I'll feel in the coming days.

I'm going to change. I don't know how, but I feel it—as though my personality or person is going to change. I fear it more than anything and all i know, as I write this, is that I'm in the hands of God.

Take care everyone. Say prayers, for me and for all of us and I will too.


(sharing my favorite prayer)

Memorare
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone
who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence,I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come,
before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate,
despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

I love you Blessed Mother. No matter what happens, remember me.

Let nothing afright me —St. Theresa of Liseux

[Canela]

Originally Posted by apocalipstic

I am kind of worried about this weekend, lot's of social obligations. I so hope everything goes smoothly and I don't get overwhelmed.

I am especially excited that I get to meet Princess4u tomorrow evening!

Hi Apocalipstic!

Sorry I haven't been around much lately, I pop in form time to time to keep tabs and see how everyone here is doing, and I see so much support from everyone that I KNOW you guys are functioning very well...I am so glad to read all your posts, and then the responses...so much love here...feels good doesn't it?




Sounds like you have a full and exciting weekend planned...I wish you lots of love, fun, blessings and peace throughout, so that you can just let yourself go and enjoy what is coming (especially connecting r/t with Princess4U!--How exciting!)

If all else fails, do what I do sometimes when I don't know what to do...just smile and nod...pretty soon I forget what I was upset about and adopt the smile for real...you are an amazing woman, and you deserve to have a wonderful weekend....God bless you greatly!

Love and many blessings to you my friend,

Shug

PS--give yourself and Princess a hug from me will ya?