Have you come out on your PTSD?

[Mee]

Dang I'm glad that's not an issue here. I'm sorry.

I’m really glad it is here. :)

Thanks for the sorry, but it’s ok.

I guess the way I see it is I wish those who had hurt me had had a ‘clipped wing mirror’ moment or if they did taken note of it. ( I was deemed ok to keep driving but that moment has made me stop for a while voluntarily) . Many fail to tell the authorities; it voids their insurance in case of accident. Then they face a worse situation.

 

[Recovery4Me]

I have managed to tell both of my doctors, that’s a start I guess.

It seems like an awesome start to me! Thanks!

My supervisor at work also knows that I have PTSD because I occasionally ask for accommodations, but she doesn't know the reason I have it -

I find your courage admirable and your boundaries inspiring! I never had the courage myself to share during my work years. So to me... that is awesome that you do. Thanks for your input.

and I'm not embarrassed but I worry that anything I say there can't be taken back

Yeah, I think that is why I did it! To use a phrase - balls to the wall type of thing for me. However, you not being embarrassed concerning your PTSD is so cool! It confirms a lot for me: thanks.

i’m Sorry, I have PTSD and it can seem like I am socially anxious, sometimes i just need a moment to take stock!’ T

Wow! You seem really so advanced to me in social communication in real time. Did you practice the sentences beforehand? I have to do that so I am just trying to understand members’ uniqueness as PTSD is not a cookie cutter disorder, you know??

My guy is very open about it. His trauma is from combat and he's very proud of his service.

So much respect for your support here, your support for your guy and his gift to service. My family served too!

would disqualify me from about 90% of the kinds of jobs I find interesting / u

Understood! Glad you chimed in!

but I do at school since I wan to become a therapist

Totally awesome that you have such compassion for helping others. Best of wishes on your educational pursuit!

st and some of them I wish I never told

I can respect that and I may come to that point of regret as well for some that I have announced. However, at least we were authentic! Thanks for your time.

I am grateful for that clipped wing mirror and desperately ashamed I needed it.

I like how you took the bull by the horns so to speak and added courses for training to maintain your independence! Very proactive & inspirational. Thanks.

Wasn't diagnosed until my 50's. My brother is PTSD as well.. But he takes nothing for it

My brother has PTSD as well. My father did too! It seems to often run generational.

Most of my immediate family is dead. Died young.

I am so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing vulnerability and your time.

 

[Starfire]

I'm not as brave as you. Some of my best friends & most of my family don't know. Funny how people make assumptions. I'm a dog trainer in my post retirement life. When I said I had standing appointment twice a week, they assumed I was teaching classes which I do at other times. I did nothing to correct it.

I've worked with disabled students. I've gotten a reputation for working with students who have PTSD, cPTSD, MS, brain injuries, dissociate concerns. The school just funnels them into my classes. I think some recognized why I understand. Keep waiting for somebody to come out & directly ask. Nobody has & I haven't volunteered.

I justify it by saying it's none of their business. Think it's more I'm scared to death of their reaction. What their lack of knowledge will assume about me.

Tell my students they can answer the questions about the service dog by replying you don't want to *bother* them with the story. Change the subject or have the dog perform. Drop leash, have dog pick it up. Or educate them: did you know if you see a service dog without a person, you should dial 911 & follow the dog?

 

[Lionheart]

My PTSD was caused by sexual child abuse and there is a bit of downside attached to being open about it. And that is the belief that all men abused sexually as children will themselves become perpetrators of abuse. It is a false belief. While it is true that a lot of perps were themselves abused as children, not everyone who was abused will abuse others. So that makes me a little leary of being open about the reason for my PTSD, but I have been open and as far as I know, I have not been judged by anyone.

 

[user27357]

Only to family, and not all of them. Two friends got to know I was seeing a counselor the first time I did and I don't see them at all anymore, one never again. I tell the HR department where I work so they can feel like I am not a malingerer when I need some time off out of the blue.
It is getting better, less social stigma attached with seeing a counselor now ( I told my "friends" back in 1995). Even less with being a male of a certain age with symptoms because like it or not a lot of guys my age did combat duty and left the service en mass with lots of PTSD to expose the unexposed. It isn't about reliving combat scenes at inopportune moments anymore like it was in the old movies, it's about being tossed into a bad place and trying to get back now, something I think more non-sufferers can relate to.

last month when I told an anesthesiologist that I may wake up after surgery in a combative way he thanked me for my service. "Nope" I said, "just a bastard of a parent that liked to work out on me, and a few out cold car wrecks and shit like that". he got it. I think most people would now days.

 

[Mach123]

My PTSD was caused by sexual child abuse and there is a bit of downside attached to being open about it. And that is the belief that all men abused sexually as children will themselves become perpetrators of abuse. It is a false belief. While it is true that a lot of perps were themselves abused as children, not everyone who was abused will abuse others. So that makes me a little leary of being open about the reason for my PTSD, but I have been open and as far as I know, I have not been judged by anyone.

This is true and only one of the reasons I don't tell anyone and really, if I would have been able never to tell anyone, I would very much have preferred that.

 

[Sheilasue33]

I went to therapy yesterday and started treatment again. I became weary of being ashamed of my PTSD and with the Service Dog it became silly to me to feel lesser than when we often balance more. So on my Facebook which has some of my neighbors on it, family and friends... I posted about how my dog is assisting with my depression, signals and my PTSD.

I rarely talked about my personal challenge as if I was ashamed : to be frank I think I carried a little baggage concerning my mental trauma and how I might be perceived. And yet, it is part of who I am and to be ashamed for having suffered catastrophic events, torture, kidnapping/ hostage, rape, incest (ect) is lack of respect & compassion for myself.

So I thought I ask, as many of us here have ongoing therapy, experiences from living as well as growth-

*have you become comfortable in being transparent with our mental illness and how did acceptance change your life ?
Thanks for any thoughts you have time to share.

I my past I didn't let anybody know except my therapist. Now I let my doctors know. The more support I can get, the better. About 2 years ago all came out when I was adopting my niece with my family during the adoption procedure with my family. It ended up in a battle because my sister wanted to adopt too. She attacked me with my mental illness and PTSD. I did adopt my daughter. I am glad it is out because now I can receive help from professional s and family when I need it, like last week.

 

[DharmaGirl]

@Mee, how do the authorities differentiate between normal dissociation while driving and PTSD dissociation while driving? Most people dissociate while driving is what I've been told, and read, so I think not being allowed to drive is a harsh judgement for someone with PTSD. Especially since PTSD is on a spectrum. This is a truly serious question, and I mean no disrespect by asking. I'm just really curious.

Oh, @Mee, I just read the UK's DVA page and I can see where having some illnesses would cause a problem. I still don't understand the PTSD part, but I think Americans, like me, are really touchy about what they consider rights. We don't have the right to drive. We have the privilege. I had an eye exam that I failed at my license center, and they gave it to me anyway. Huh? I was legally blind at the time. I had my lenses replaced so I can see now, but I thought that was crazy!

 

[Mee]

@Mee, how do the authorities differentiate between normal dissociation while driving and PTSD dissociation while driving? Most people dissociate while driving is what I've been told, and read, so I think not being allowed to drive is a harsh judgement for someone with PTSD. Especially since PTSD is on a spectrum. This is a truly serious question, and I mean no disrespect by asking. I'm just really curious.

The authorities don’t. Your dr does: the dr who knows you. The list of health conditions to discuss with your dr/ authorities is not small and not always permanent; for example, short period of time after ceasarian or other surgeries I think? Not sure.


I see no disrespect in the question either, but that you clarified that is really appreciated ?

 

[Recovery4Me]

I'm not as brave as you” ...
I've worked with disabled students. I've gotten a reputation for working with students who have PTSD, cPTSD, MS, brain injuries, dissociate concerns. The school just funnels them into my classes. I think some recognized why I understand.

To me, you are every bit as brave because as an retired Professor, I hold the utmost respect for those who reach to teach! What you do is invaluable to leading the way around their challenges which frees their hearts, souls and minds. Bless you for your service.

My PTSD was caused by sexual child abuse and there is a bit of downside attached to being open about it.

I hear you dear Lionheart! However, your shares here on the board are always special to me. Thank you for your honesty.

I tell the HR department where I work so they can feel like I am not a malingerer when I need some time off out of the blue.

That is really courageous and well thought out! I appreciate knowing an HR might be opened at this time to actually assist in such an manner. Things have moved forward! Awesome.

if I would have been able never to tell anyone, I would very much have preferred that.

I hear you Mach. I too felt that way due to part of my PTSD also being from C-PTSD. However, for me being ‘forced’ to keeping it bottled up inside literally splintered my being because the body remembers even if my voice was silent. May your journey as well as choices to heal find you peace.

PTSD. I did adopt my daughter. I am glad it is out because now I can receive help from professional s and family when I need it, like last week.

Wow! Congrats on the daughter, your authenticity and your choice to ask and receive help! Wonderful!

how do the authorities differentiate between normal dissociation while driving and PTSD dissociation while driving?

^^I didn’t know about this. Thank you Dharma for asking and thank you @Mee for responding.

~~~~
This site, members and staff have been responsible for much of my understanding of PTSD as well as my courage to heal. I hope each of you realize how special you are to those who walk our walk. Thank you and ?’s if you accept for your compassion and shares.

 

[Chris-duck]

My close friends all know but I wouldn't put it on Facebook because colleagues are on it n I'm a nurse. I legally had to declare it to occupational health but that wasn't a big deal cos there's so many healthcare workers with depression etc.

My family probably know, I can't really remember, but I was diagnosed pre15 and my T had pretty regular contact with my parents so I imagine that they know but consider it in the past.

 

[Mach123]

To me, you are every bit as brave because as an retired Professor, I hold the utmost respect for those who reach to teach! What you do is invaluable to leading the way around their challenges which frees their hearts, souls and minds. Bless you for your service.




I hear you dear Lionheart! However, your shares here on the board are always special to me. Thank you for your honesty.




That is really courageous and well thought out! I appreciate knowing an HR might be opened at this time to actually assist in such an manner. Things have moved forward! Awesome.





I hear you Mach. I too felt that way due to part of my PTSD also being from C-PTSD. However, for me being ‘forced’ to keeping it bottled up inside literally splintered my being because the body remembers even if my voice was silent. May your journey as well as choices to heal find you peace.





Wow! Congrats on the daughter, your authenticity and your choice to ask and receive help! Wonderful!




^^I didn’t know about this. Thank you Dharma for asking and thank you @Mee for responding.

~~~~
This site, members and staff have been responsible for much of my understanding of PTSD as well as my courage to heal. I hope each of you realize how special you are to those who walk our walk. Thank you and ?’s if you accept for your compassion and shares.

I sidnt say that properly sorry. It has to come out that's like the biggest component I think. But that's a therapist or medical person or spouse or whatever. I meant everyone else? Needs to know basis.