Is Ptsd Curable?

[Abstract]

It instills a greater sense of right and wrong.

Surviver, I in no way at all mean that someone would be do wrong to others or not be able to identify wrong. What I include in personality issues would be something like lack of confidence, difficulties with intimacy, self hatred, being too dependent, being too independent, co-dependency, inability to be assertive, impulsiveness, intimacy issues, sensitivity to criticism etc etc etc.

I know it is important for you to not harm others and it has been important to me too. That doesn't mean I haven't had a whole lot of other difficulties when it comes to interacting with myself or others though.

If you want to look at personality disorders then Avoidant Personality Disorder is a common one and is about extreme fear of people and judgement as well as truck loads of shame.

 

[Tinyflame]

I think ptsd carries a massive amount of complications, confusion and symptoms (and struggle) that could easily be mistaken for many different disorders. However, that being said I don't think everything relates back to literally 'disorders' (personality or otherwise), even if sufferings began in childhood. Certainly sometimes, yes. But even ptsd itself, it can be so misdiagnosed (as depression, etc). I think part of that relates to what is self-reported or self-identified. For example, I thought I simply was prone to depression (though it didn't really fit), I had no concept of triggers or emotional flashbacks. I thought as long as I could contain my startle reponse, I would not describe myself as hypervigilant - apparently insomnia and being able to hear the neighbour's phone ring (through 2 sets of closed windows!) and those sorts of things are examples of otherwise. The list could go on and on.

I think as others have said it is important that something be named so as to get the appropriate treatment. Best chance for that is a good knowledgeable T you can connect to, working and practising things on your own, and gauging what works and what doesn't for you personally. I'm not sure if 'cure' even matters entirely if one no longer feels like they are in distress, or buffered around like a ship with no anchor. If things can be integrated and no longer have the same impact, they are predictable and manageable, it's not as frightening.

Hugs to you @Madhather , you are 'you' no matter what diagnosis and no one can ever predict the future, what treatments or understanding or progress will be made. I heard an exceptionally good (and humble) psychologist say 'take everything you learn with a grain of salt, there are some things you are learning now that will undoubtedly be shown to be wrong (incorrect) in the future".

 

[Abstract]

One of the ways I judge if something is a more fundamental tendency for me is if it is still there in some form when PTSD symptoms are down. When symptoms are up then everything is intensified which is logical. I believe in being able to change those fundamental tendencies if I want to though and have experienced that myself.

 

[Survivor2Thriver]

Surviver, I in no way at all mean that someone would be do wrong to others or not be able to identify wrong.

Hmm..I meant the other way around. We learn wrong from what was done to us. That simple knowledge helped me cope. I don't feel like the trauma I endured changed me. I feel I was able to maintain who I am. Which in many ways was the cause of my abuse. I hope that made sense. The women in my family were victim to Stockholm syndrome.

I know it is important for you to not harm others and it has been important to me too. That doesn't mean I haven't had a whole lot of other difficulties when it comes to interacting with myself or others though.

You suggested "remember it is very unlikely that someone would have any healthy coping skills if they have bad parenting and trauma early." I'm pointing out that particular statement is dismissing many ppl who have worked very hard to maintain their sanity. It can be done. That's all.

I'll give you...I have certain trust issues.

 

[Abstract]

very unlikely that someone would have any healthy coping skills if they have bad parenting and trauma early.

Oh I think we are so brave and hard working and I think you deserve great credit for maintaining your self despite what happened around you and when your siblings couldn't.

I'll put it this way for you. Where you able to have normal relationships with other people (appropriate trust and intimacy, not overly sensitive to criticism etc), able to self soothe, no problems with self harm, eating issues, OCD, self hatred etc etc? Before you worked on these I mean. I totally believe we can change it but think it is probably rare to find someone without good parenting and early trauma that doesn't have some of these issues to start. "Any" was the wrong word to use though.

 

[Bluerose]

My personal view is ‘no’. I imagine it’s like a switch is pulled in the psyche that causes us to change track like a train would when a switch is pulled in the control station. And this causes some serious change in perception, outlook and attitude. However, I do believe it can be managed depending on the seriousness of the trauma that caused it in the first place.

 

[Survivor2Thriver]

around you

*Around??!* LOL!!

I think you deserve great credit

I'm not looking for credit. I'm making the point my understanding of who is responsible for my abuse greatly aids my recovery process. I hope that made sense.

 

[Madhather]

Genetically speaking trauma can be a trigger. Bad parenting can also be a trigger. The most linked to genetics is schizophrenia and possibly sociopathy. For the rest there can be some genes switched on but they create tendencies rather than the condition.

I have read that autism, ADHD, bipolar disorder, major depression and schizophrenia are more likely to have suspect genetic variation at the same four chromosomal sites. Researchers have turned up evidence of shared genetic risk factors for pairs of disorders, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, autism and schizophrenia and depression and bipolar disorder and this evidence of overlap at the genetic level has blurred the boundaries of traditional diagnostic. So I can see how added trauma to this mix could open a whole other can of worms.

So much to learn, thanks everyone!

 

[Survivor2Thriver]

I'll put it this way for you. Where you able to have normal relationships with other people (appropriate trust and intimacy, not overly sensitive to criticism etc), able to self soothe, no problems with self harm, eating issues, OCD, self hatred etc etc? Before you worked on these I mean. I totally believe we can change it but think it is probably rare to find someone without good parenting and early trauma that doesn't have some of these issues to start. "Any" was the wrong word to use though.

Let me ask you something. In your opinion. Why does our mind repress memories?

 

[Madhather]

I have to say one more thing...this is a very passionate group of people. You are strong in your opinions and at times just a tad bit closed minded (not directed at anyone in particular, just an observation). I would challenge us all to allow everyone their own journey, help where you can, offer advice when asked but always with kindness. Not everyone is at the same place on this journey and some of us must find our own way, that doesn't make it wrong, it just means that as different and unique as each of us are so is the journey. I applaud those of you that have found what works for you and I applaud your passion but don't let your enthusiasm close your mind to other ways of reaching the same destination...healing.

Again I thank each of you for sharing with me and giving me lots to think about.:joyful:

 

[Survivor2Thriver]

healing.

Yes. Healing and much more! :joyful:

 

[Deleted member 1860]

@Survivor2Thriver,
Please don't use text type. It took me awhile to figure out what "ppl" meant as you use it quite often.

 

[Bluerose]

Survivor2Thriver,

“Why does our mind repress memories?”

I hope you won’t mind if I reply to that question.

To my mind it’s the psyche’s way of protecting you. But not just the conscious you. I’ve heard some people refer to it as soul survival. Something in you (the psyche perhaps) does everything to protect you, the inner you, the essence of you, from some of the harsher realities of this world.

These suppressed events and memories may surface later in life, after the traumatic events. I’ve been told by psyche-doc that as disturbing as this can be (and many of us may need help to deal with this) it’s actually a good sign, it means the psyche (or something in you) has decided that you are strong enough to begin the healing process.