Time Heals? 15 Years Later

[Indie]

Hi, I was diagnosed with ptsd over a decade ago but have got to the point that I can't even remember any traumatic experiences without sitting down and making a considerable effort to recall them, even then the old responses of hyper vigilance etc have gone. Basically in a blissful state of ignorance about the previous decade.

I guess the old saying time heals seems to apply to me. Although I still sleep on the couch with the light on and have to have the TV on and can't sleep upstairs with my wife, generally I'm happy in myself again after 15 years and like I say have basically forgotten my previous experiences and lost any hangups I used to have. I guess time heals for some?

 

[Delta62]

I can relate, I have a difficult time sleeping next to a female but I can overcome it I think eventually. With your question, I think it depends on the way you perceive your life as a whole. I had to grow up fast and learn many living skills on my own. Is faith a big part of your life? Make sure you tell your spouse how you feel about her and do things for her to make her feel appreciated. Time does heal some things, but making amends I found also helps deal with the guilt and that I have a long life ahead of me to live.

 

[Indie]

Hi thanks for the reply, I'm going to leave this forum me thinks. It would serve no purpose for me going over old ground. I'm at the other end of the healing process and can see many are still traumatized. But I will tell you how I cope, I take each day as it comes and having seen how lives can be changed within an instant am grateful for a good day and appreciate the small things in life and grateful some monstrous indecent hasn't befallen my family each day. I'm going to make the most of today, All the best Greg.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

I can relate, I have a difficult time sleeping next to a female but I can overcome it I think eventually.

I'm the same. Well, I can't sleep next to a guy that is. I know it's a trust/safety thing. I even have to lock my bedroom door or I can't sleep. I don't know if I'll ever get over it though. Sometimes I think it's just another reason to stay single as its not fair to make a partner deal with something like that.

 

[daretodream]

Time heals or do we simply learn coping skills?

I was gone from my home town for 30 yrs and basically the trauma of my childhood (14 and under) never bothered me or popped up , so to speak. In 2004 I found myself right back in my hometown and what I assumed was healed through time was far from it. I was placed on an extremely fast roller coaster, with not only my past trauma but more recent trauma all mixing together .

I guess what I am trying to say is that I have learnt that yes at this present time I am in a very good place and doing well but on the other hand I also need to be aware that at any time or place something may be triggered that I simply have not dealt with prior and need addressing. Does not mean I have failed or not worked hard enough or not tried hard enough. Just simply means I more areas to heal within.

I wonder why I am looking for a support sight at my stage of healing for I have been doing good with flash backs, anxiety and all over all. Had some trauma resurface lately (one of my sexual abusers face was plastered on the news as the most wanted int he area just last month) I thought I dealt with him but when I saw his face I promptly threw up. Thankfully for tools and skills I learnt I worked through fast the trauma I was reliving again. This tells me I will be okay.

Support group I find we can always learn from. Like AA you go to not fall off the wagon. I find a PTSD support group creates a safe place to go when I need to be reminded of the tools I have learnt and yes some forgotten. It is a place to remind myself it is okay to have a bad day or it is okay to even have good ones too.

I also want to give hope to those struggling that good days can be had and that life can be enjoyed. I wish someone had been on the sights whom was seeing the other spectrum too.

I am glad to hear others are healing and coming to find happiness that reassures me what I am feeling is not something I am creating within in me too. Like you want happiness so bad you imagine it happening but in reality your not there either. I did this with my ex for 19 yrs I worked hard to create a happy marriage in my mind and in reality it was very abusive.

Being new here I would like to see those whom have made it through remain and yes for selfish reasons. to me you are as important to the healing and maintaining the healing as you were and are when coming into the first diagnoses of PTSD.