Relationship Is It Really All Doom And Gloom ?

[Jensen]

Are there any true life success stories by supporters or sufferers who have overcome the monster of PTSD and broken free to near happiness ? Or am I being totally naive in thinking this is possible ?

 

[futurefocussed]

You're not naive

 

[Glo809]

Greetings
I would like to think that I fall into your goal.

But won't know for a while......

G

 

[Panda Bear]

I am one of those successes stories.

 

[NaeNae75]

Are there any true life success stories by supporters or sufferers who have overcome the monster of PTSD...

I think there are a lot of "true life success stories". I don't think anyone can completely "overcome" PTSD, but success and happiness can be had despite it. In my life there are several people with PTSD including my father, sister, significant other and myself. I was diagnosed about 20 years ago.

I think life is a work in progress, so the happy for me comes and goes. There are times my PTSD gets the upper hand, but after years of treatment and coping strategies, I feel that I can be happy (mostly). I think the thing that really was a turning point for me was a major health scare. It really made me re-evaluate my perspective.

I've discovered that even when I feel bad, if I give myself a certain amount of time to just feel it, then start "lying" to myself that things are good and started looking for the silver linings, I eventually realized that my "lies" of happiness could actually be the truth. So now, I take the bad for what it is, and try to revel in the good.

For my s/o, he's still struggling with this, but it's all relatively "new" to him ( a few years at this point with 1 year in T). So I try to understand he's in a different place than me. He needs to figure it out for himself too. I know for my dad, well - he's just content with being unhappy....sort of happy to be unhappy. When he's really bad, I have to avoid him so I don't get drug into it. My sister is just in denial...I think she has happy and unhappy days too. She doesn't like her life, but isn't particularly motivated to change it or work towards something better - so she'll never really have better.

Life can be what you make it. Even with PTSD. There are still times I have SI, but it's generally fleeting. I'm not medicated, and own a couple of small businesses that do fairly well. I have "grown" children I'm very proud of, and I would have to say my "relationship" is more good than bad. It's hard, and can be exhausting at times. But I've learned to allow myself to have those bad times so I can enjoy the good ones.

Good luck!

 

[Jensen]

Glo809 I can't tell you how good it is to hear you say that, I will keep you in my most positive thoughts draw.
All the best Jensen.

 

[Wendy T]

I have the same question.

 

[Jensen]

Panda Bear
Thank you you are restoring my own beliefs.:)

 

[Jensen]

NaeNae75
Thank you, you make it possible to keep on fighting.

 

[NaeNae75]

NaeNae75
Thank you, you make it possible to keep on fighting.

You're very welcome. You can do it! I hope you find the support you need on here.

 

[Newtoptsd]

@Jensen

It's always nice to know there are success stories out there, I am 4 months in and I have a positive outlook and I'm hoping my friendship with my vet will appear on this thread in the future :)

Think positively, chin up its a long old bumpy ride but bathe in the good times and ride over the bad!

 

[Jensen]

Thank you Newtoptsd
I am 7 months in and have moments of doubting my ability to come out on the other side,whenever that might be. Hence asking such a big question after only a couple of days on the forum.
The support is quite simply amazing often coming from people who are themselves damaged by the monster which makes it even more fantastic. I feel conspicuous because I am not damaged in the way that they are and my pain is secondary as I believe yours is, supporting a sufferer. Nevertheless the feelings of desperation and the depression that flows from it can be overwhelming. Getting up to fight a new day after several bad days is really challenging. Conversely it only takes a tiny crumb of returning warmth to blow it all away and the feeling of being emotionally recharged is euphoric. So that's where I am. Underneath I do remain positive and coincidentally today has ended up as quite a good day. Tomorrow should start well but then the unknown could change it dramatically.The best of fortune with your friendship. Jensen