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Sufferer Recently diagnosed and need support

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Hopex

New Here
I’ve recently been diagnosed after ten years of being misdiagnosed with anxiety and depression.
My PTSD stems back to childhood trauma and an abusive relationship. I’ve found I was getting by ok on meds and ignoring, until my diagnosis. Now I feel like it’s swallowing me whole. I can’t seem to get out of bed. I’m in and out of disassociation and panic attacks because I’m scared of my diagnosis and over thinking it.
I’m just looking for help to come to terms or to not be scared.
 
Welcome. Consider it a journey where you have to unpack and then pack differently for the trip. The past did happen and that is what has to be unpacked. Typically with a good therapist who helps you do this. The diagnosis is the name of the trip your on but doesn’t define you. You are still who you were before you got a name for it. Anxiety and depression are a huge part of this so if you can find new ways to help it would be good. I’ve been working in a book called Transforming the Living Legacy of Trauma. A friend and I got it at the same time and we work on it together in small bits. It has a chapter to read and worksheets to do. I like doing it with my friend as there are times when she totally understands the worksheets in ways that I did not and we keep each other going. The author is Janina fisher
 
Hi @Hopex . Welcome to the forum. Another diagnosis isn't saying "it's worse", it's giving you a better path for healing. PTSD sucks big time but with patience, care of yourself and learning how to gather forces to confront your trauma, slowly things become easier. The forum has plenty of resources and experience of many different people around. Hope you'll find here the materials that help you around! A book that has helped me a lot is The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel Van Der Kolk.
 
Welcome. Consider it a journey where you have to unpack and then pack differently for the trip. The past did happen and that is what has to be unpacked. Typically with a good therapist who helps you do this. The diagnosis is the name of the trip your on but doesn’t define you. You are still who you were before you got a name for it. Anxiety and depression are a huge part of this so if you can find new ways to help it would be good. I’ve been working in a book called Transforming the Living Legacy of Trauma. A friend and I got it at the same time and we work on it together in small bits. It has a chapter to read and worksheets to do. I like doing it with my friend as there are times when she totally understands the worksheets in ways that I did not and we keep each other going. The author is Janina fisher
Thank you for the supportive words. I feel overwhelmed and finding stress reducing activities like cleaning and walking helping today. I have downloaded both audio books from this thread so fingers crossed this helps. I currently see a psychiatrist once a week and will be starting EMDR therapy soon as I have locked everything in a box. I am scared incase I go insane opening the box but I know I need to do this to heal. I’m being irrational I know but it’s so scary.

Hi @Hopex . Welcome to the forum. Another diagnosis isn't saying "it's worse", it's giving you a better path for healing. PTSD sucks big time but with patience, care of yourself and learning how to gather forces to confront your trauma, slowly things become easier. The forum has plenty of resources and experience of many different people around. Hope you'll find here the materials that help you around! A book that has helped me a lot is The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel Van Der Kolk.
I have started the audio book this morning and listening to it as I clean. Thank you so much for the suggestion. I need to be more gentle with myself I think as I am quick to throw the towel in and admit defeat. I am finding coping strategies on this forum and feel grateful I joined already. Thank you again
 
Welcome to the forum. The new diagnosis doesn't change who you are, or what you're dealing with, but it does give you some better clarity on healing and recovery:)
 
Transforming the Living Legacy of Trauma
I can recommend this one too. It is so helpful and clear and I find myself using the tools and thinking all the time. When I was first diagnosed I felt like my whole world fell apart, then one day I realised that it is childhood trauma so it has always been there - that part had not changed - so really I had more information to help myself now than I did when I didn't know what was happening to me. For a while it felt so overwhelming that it was a black void, I was totally dissociated all the time too and spent hours in the bath! (I don't really know why but it helped!) I think you just have to do what you have to do! Now I am relieved I know more as everything in my life has improved, including my relationship with my children which is brilliant. I got through the first days and weeks on blind faith that it would get better, I was assured it would and with support and therapy it has. Hang on in there, you are not alone, It's a terribly hard journey but one which is well worth it in the end.
 
I can recommend this one too. It is so helpful and clear and I find myself using the tools and thinking all the time. When I was first diagnosed I felt like my whole world fell apart, then one day I realised that it is childhood trauma so it has always been there - that part had not changed - so really I had more information to help myself now than I did when I didn't know what was happening to me. For a while it felt so overwhelming that it was a black void, I was totally dissociated all the time too and spent hours in the bath! (I don't really know why but it helped!) I think you just have to do what you have to do! Now I am relieved I know more as everything in my life has improved, including my relationship with my children which is brilliant. I got through the first days and weeks on blind faith that it would get better, I was assured it would and with support and therapy it has. Hang on in there, you are not alone, It's a terribly hard journey but one which is well worth it in the end.
I will be starting this book at the weekend. I am looking forward to it. I feel like I’m lost but I’m slowly finding my way and this forum has been a great help in this. This is going to be a long hard journey but I am more determined than ever to not let this beat me.
 
I will be starting this book at the weekend. I am looking forward to it. I feel like I’m lost but I’m slowly finding my way and this forum has been a great help in this. This is going to be a long hard journey but I am more determined than ever to not let this beat me.
Good for you. That is such a great way to think. We are all on a journey I think, just at different parts of it and travelling at very different speeds. Mine is still a relatively new journey too but with determination and self love and care I am getting through. I am so happy you are here on this forum. I have lurked for the longest of times, but finally feel I am in a place to comment. Glad we could connect. Stay strong!
 
Good for you. That is such a great way to think. We are all on a journey I think, just at different parts of it and travelling at very different speeds. Mine is still a relatively new journey too but with determination and self love and care I am getting through. I am so happy you are here on this forum. I have lurked for the longest of times, but finally feel I am in a place to comment. Glad we could connect. Stay strong!
It’s a scary journey as I’m questioning my own mind and at times think I’m going to go mad. It’s such a dark lonely place and I’m trying to stop medicating with alcohol as it’s a quick fix. I’m looking in the forum for grounding techniques and methods as I’m on a wait list since my assessment. They’ve advice it won’t be too long.
 
I’ve recently been diagnosed after ten years of being misdiagnosed with anxiety and depression.
My PTSD stems back to childhood trauma and an abusive relationship. I’ve found I was getting by ok on meds and ignoring, until my diagnosis. Now I feel like it’s swallowing me whole. I can’t seem to get out of bed. I’m in and out of disassociation and panic attacks because I’m scared of my diagnosis and over thinking it.
I’m just looking for help to come to terms or to not be scared.
... Believe in healing ... you are fixable ... If you are still in touch with the people who diagnosed you then explain what's going on ... The best solution to fixing trauma seems to be EMDR therapy (the core of this therapy is Bilateral Stimulation (BLS) which means both sides of the brain are stimulated in turn) ... It may be possible to arrange online EMDR if you can't get out .. If you can't get EMDR then try resource tapping therapy (like the BLS part of EMDR) - these are exercises you can do that help 'unclog' the brain and allow you to regain some control ... It can be hard to understand how EMDR/BLS/resource tapping works but it can ... Get back to me if you've got any questions ...
 
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