General Why do so many with combat PTSD have issues around the holidays?

[Rollercoaster4]

Late Merry Christmas to everyone. Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday!

 

[Kamorth]

For me it's harder and more stressful simply because this time of year is harder and more stressful for everyone, even if they're completely neurotypical. You can see it in department stores and shopping malls and car parks, everyone is at least a little more on edge and that sets the people around them off that little bit more than normal and it snowballs. When that's your normal every day life and you rely on the people around you when you're in public keeping their cool to make it easier for you to cope, it can get completely unmanageable very quickly. On top of that, there's the added pressure of Act Normal Or Everything Will Be Ruined By Your PTSD And It Will Be All Your Fault intrusive thoughts. Even if you have a totally supportive and understanding family, the nature of PTSD makes just having fun stressful sometimes and it can very easily convince you that if the slightest thing goes wrong, it will be all your fault and everyone will abandon you. Sometimes that guilt gets worse the more understanding the people around you are, because Oh God They're Trying So Hard And I'm Just Ruining It They Deserve So Much Better.

I can tell myself it's all just intrusive thoughts all I want, it doesn't make them stop, especially at this time of the year.

Also sorry! I didn't see the date on the thread and just responded to the original post. I'm gonna leave it up there anyway, but I'm aware I oopsied.

 

[Freida]

but I'm aware I oopsied.

No oopsie - this was a great post! And we often have conversations that run way longer than they looked like they would :)

 

[Rollercoaster4]

For me it's harder and more stressful simply because this time of year is harder and more stressful for everyone, even if they're completely neurotypical. You can see it in department stores and shopping malls and car parks, everyone is at least a little more on edge and that sets the people around them off that little bit more than normal and it snowballs. When that's your normal every day life and you rely on the people around you when you're in public keeping their cool to make it easier for you to cope, it can get completely unmanageable very quickly. On top of that, there's the added pressure of Act Normal Or Everything Will Be Ruined By Your PTSD And It Will Be All Your Fault intrusive thoughts. Even if you have a totally supportive and understanding family, the nature of PTSD makes just having fun stressful sometimes and it can very easily convince you that if the slightest thing goes wrong, it will be all your fault and everyone will abandon you. Sometimes that guilt gets worse the more understanding the people around you are, because Oh God They're Trying So Hard And I'm Just Ruining It They Deserve So Much Better.

I can tell myself it's all just intrusive thoughts all I want, it doesn't make them stop, especially at this time of the year.

Also sorry! I didn't see the date on the thread and just responded to the original post. I'm gonna leave it up there anyway, but I'm aware I oopsied.

That was awesome post. Thank you!

 

[Never_falter2]

Happy NewYear everybody.
@Sweetpea76 I hope you liked the party.

 

[Sweetpea76]

I did!! It’s been a long time since I’ve been to a NYE party!