Is it possible to pretend to have a normal life with complex ptsd/dissociation?

[micky]

I have this for over 3 years now and it seem that I have adjusted to this.i mean that I have got better at hiding it from people around me not putting myself in suituations that will not trigger anything.
is anyone else doing this?

 

[Friday]

I have complex trauma (not weighing in on PTSD v cPTSD), and I had a very normal life for about a decade. Not pretended to have, but actually had.

Yep. Some of that involved hiding symptoms as they came up... But I didn't have a lot of symptoms to hide. The transition period, from being highly symptomatic to almost asymptomatic? Involved a whole helluva lot of faking normal, and hiding symptoms. It was less about pretending to be normal, however, and more about teaching myself how to be normal.

 

[Muted]

It was less about pretending to be normal, however, and more about teaching myself how to be normal.

Well said. I can very much relate to this.

 

[Deleted member 38242]

I think people who have no PTSD pretend to be "normal," and have normal lives. I have friends who have odd quirks try to hide it from others. I can usually hide my symptoms unless I am in the middle of a full melt down. I think its healthy to not affect others with our own issues, but there are times when it is also unhealthy to not say anything. My big big problem is when I lie to myself, and let things build up to crazy. Its cost me so much to lie to myself. I have had to completely redo my life this year because of hiding things so well from others that I hide it from myself. I am happy your doing well, and hope it keeos up, and healthy for you.

 

[micky]

I mean the memory and concentration problems too.i try and not put myself in suitations were I don't feel stupid,by forgetting what I was talking about or forgetting names etc...

 

[ladee]

I think you are talking about being human. Tho I do understand what you are saying.
Most days we just give the best we've got and we come to accept that as good enough.
Can't spend too much time avoiding things. That's where we learn self acceptance.
Be easier on yourself.

 

[Fadeaway]

As long as you are talking about YOUR version of normal, and not what people tell you normal should look lie, thenyes. Trying to fit into somone elses idea of normal, PTSD or not, doesn't work for to long.

 

[Deleted member 38242]

As long as you are talking about YOUR version of normal, and not what people tell you normal should lo...

I have gone into a psychosis over fitting into other peoples "normal." And the sad part was I didn't have to. Being perfect for others doesn't work either.

 

[micky]

soon going to be starting EMDR for my dissociation/complex ptsd.The therapist told me I might just say random thing during it,iam not sure what he meant ?
I am hoping this helps me,if it does not,there is nothing else.
If the EMDR works,does the theraphy go weeks/months?

 

[Muted]

I'm almost finishing my 2nd year @micky, but I guess it depends on your trauma.

He probably meant that trauma will be linked with other memories. It's how we store things in our brain. Any new bad experience following the original trauma will be stored with the trauma that supports that negative belief.

 

[Deleted member 39333]

I have this for over 3 years now and it seem that I have adjusted to this.i mean that I have got better a...

I have been doing it for 40 years and counting!

 

[J'qel]

There are triggers I work to avoid pretty regularly. I avoid getting groceries during normal hours (noise variations), I avoid watching certain media that I know involves situations that might trigger me, I don't stay around people who I know will set me off, I, effectively, curate my environment when and where I can.

I'm dealing with having put stuff off until I couldn't handle anything, though, so I have some pretty harsh reactions if I don't. I expect if I had listened when I was first diagnosed I may have been able to manage my symptoms better, rather than letting them mutate into some great beast that took huge bites out of my psyche.

I will admit that I have found that I sometimes simply let my dissociation happen and don't try to shake it off when I'm in certain situations, simply because it allows me *not* to react to something I might react to if I were fully in the moment. I'm not sure that's an advised notion, but it has gotten me through situations that I normally wouldn't. Of course, I'm usually emotionally wrecked for a day or so after, but in the moment, until I can get somewhere safe to handle my symptoms.... it keeps me able to function in the appearance of a normal adult.