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Reading Forum Increases Symptoms!

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It became that by increasing some of the symptoms now I can move ahead.
That is exactly the idea Amy... People spend so much time hiding all their trauma and trying to reduce their symptoms, that they don't understand that by exposing your brain to the trauma, allowing and accepting symptom increase to occur, that it is short term pain for long term gain. Your brain removes its wall of denial, suppression, secrets even, and begins to release the negative emotional components within. Once you get rid of them, once you get past that initial worst stage, it does get easier to continue, as you would be finding.

The initial stages of breaking through trauma is the worst, and for some, often worse than living the trauma in the first instance.
 
Thanks for that, Anthony. I have found after a mini nervous breakdown and a twenty page letter of release that I feel more apt to shake it off a little easier. And, hopefully, soon I will be able to let it out of my everyday life. I have a bonfire scheduled to burn the letter and release it to the universe. With that and a couple of Fosters, I can move ahead. With everything you do for a lot of the members, I hope you (and your gracious wife) know exactly how much you are truly appreciated.
 
I just joined this ptsd forum a few days ago. Been on it for hours everyday since. I know I can't continue doing this nonstop - but it has been helpful for me. Balance, ah, that is always something I must keep in mind. My pendulum swings far, but thankfully not as far as it used to.
Been feeling lonely in a world of people who were raised in normal homes. I think that is part of what draws me so much here. I have friends who, for years, never knew of my past. Funny thing is, there was a time when all I ever did was talk of my traumatic past. Somewhere along the way, I just about completely shut up.
Had a great therapist; but spent most of my time talking about other stuff. Now unemployed, I can't see him for now. I think this is another reason I like this forum. Really the only place I have to go to. (except for God, but I'm learning to receive God working through other people).
Good reminder about keeping balance here. That's what I'm getting from this topic.
 
Reading this forum you will get intensity, you will get exposure in small and large doses, you will get negatively moody, and you will feel as though you are getting worse. This is the short term pain for the long term benefit and gain towards you only. If this is you, then this means you healing, which is the best news you most likely just got today.

Doubled back to reread this today before I log off. I can say that this week I've been stressed and challenged quite a bit. I needed to bring forward that this means I am healing. I'm not exactly sure what tripped me, but am going to log off with the focus on surviving the challenge and aiming toward healing.
 
I just joined this ptsd forum a few days ago. Been on it for hours everyday since. I know I can't continue doing this nonstop - but it has been helpful for me.
I think that's quite normal when you first join the forum - there is so much to read and learn!

After some time, you will work out a 'happy medium'. I think the important thing for us all to remember is that while this forum provides great information and support (especially if we are isolating) - real life support should be sought too. Be that from friends or family, (even if it's just meeting a friend for chit chat and gossip), or a therapist; we all need to learn how to live in the real world, and not over-rely on the internet for help.
 
Reading this forum you will get intensity, you will get exposure in small and large doses, you will get negatively moody, and you will feel as though you are getting worse. This is the short term pain for the long term benefit and gain towards you only. If this is you, then this means you healing, which is the best news you most likely just got today. Congratulations.

Powerful! I am new to the site, yet I was very conscious that after being on the site, I definitely became moody and had a drink, which i personally do not advise, a wail of a cry for the next couple of hours. I worked out, called a therapist to get some help, talked to my mom, and felt much better. This site is definitely educating me, allowing me a venue to gain understanding while venting in a safe and caring place and releasing my pain by listening(reading) and giving solace when I can. This will be a powerful tool, but i will take your advice and take time away from it, so that I can progress and give myself a chance to reflect and release.
 
All valid points Anthony. I am a bit confused as I've been at this for years. I have a lot of tools. Much of your info. in here is great. I am past the "flashback" stage for the most part. My SUDS level right now is such that my floors should finally get clean and my nerves are in jambles....Stress has been a bit high lately, but some of these "manifestations" seem to have a life of their own. Kind of like the nervous system is just...broken.
 
I posted about the abuse I suffered in a trauma diary and had to leave the forum for quite some time. It literally scared the crap out of me. To be honest, I wanted to quit the forum and have my messages erased. I felt like 8 miles of bad road for months afterwards. The fears involved with this exposure were indeed intense and I needed a long time to deal with the facts of my past. I feel no shame in the telling of my story and have no regrets about the posting of it. I only wish it hadn't taken me so long to get back to the forum.
 
Anthony, I'm convinced that exposure therapy does not work for some people. Some seem to only be re-traumatized. I think those with many years and many layers of trauma often respond less well with it or sometimes just get worse. Maybe it depends on where one is currently "at" in the process of dealing with things. Just curious what your thoughts are on this ?
 
Exposure therapy is the one therapy I could say, is impossible to fail... otherwise you would not be alive and functioning. Everything we do is exposure.

It is exactly as you eluded... it is where your at + how you actually do it.

Exposure therapy has many facets to it, most of which therapists get wrong in combination with PTSD. There are also a lot out there that seem to want to modify things, brand them their way... which screws with things as well.

Reading a book is exposure therapy. Talking with someone, same. Waking up in the morning, everything you do in a day... all exposure therapy.

When your brain has changed rational fear to irrational fear, that is when you can't just jump in, you must ease into everything, including this forum. People come onto this forum like a bull out of a gate... flatout. Then they fall over / symptoms go through the roof and wonder why. Even learning is time based. You must allocate time to perform a task, then you leave it until the next time allocation. Learning is the same... you learn, you leave it until the next time you want to learn. Pick things, create aims, baby steps, focus on one thing and achieve success, then move on... that is the process.
 
I have been feeling better about geting out due to this forum and this combat forum. I have even been going to Walmart more and spending more time around my neighbors, losing my temper less often and all that. Ii stilll have nightmares but generally I feel better about being in the world day by day.
 
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