Is Ptsd Curable?

[Hashi]

... 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.

I'm probably missing what you're responding to, because I'm afraid I don't usually get subtlety. I need things a bit plainer.

Leaving that aside, you've said something that puzzles me. Replying to what you said here, I have to say that I don't think we're all talking about the same destination. Isn't that the question you asked about in the title of your thread? Essentially, "to what extent can we recover"? What is the destination we're aiming for?

In a thread about what people believe, I think you can expect both passion and disagreement. I think it's healthy to have them. How can anyone recover to any extent without some energy and belief?

@Madhather, what do you believe about recovery? I was already wondering this because I don't remember reading your own view in this thread. I'm also mindful that you started a different thread about healing without therapy. The responses there, including mine, were quite focussed on information, understanding and techniques. What's missing for me, in this thread and in the other one, is how do you motivate yourself and move forward (at an appropriate pace)? How do you make sure you don't get stuck in information gathering?

If you're not seeing a therapist there are things you have to find in other ways. One of the things that therapy gives is someone challenging you to action - again, at an appropriate pace. I'm not a fan of brutal confrontations. Your understanding and knowledge increase at the same time as approaching things practically.

Another thing that therapy gives is that you need to fix on a few approaches that feel right for you. You need to look at the destination you're aiming for and decide what you'll do to try to get there. You usually keep adjusting along the way, like course correct on an aircraft. But like with the aircraft you do set a course to begin with, towards a destination.

I'm wondering how that fits into this question for you. Not in an intellectual way, but in a practical one?

 

[Madhather]

@Hashi I apologize if my statements offended you, it was not my intent.

I have stated before that I am in the information gathering stage.

This thread was started based on a statement that was made to me by someone that believes that they no longer have PTSD and that their live will now return to, what they feel is normal. I have not seen any change in this person's behavior other than being medicated and spending time and money with a therapist. Yet this person now believes they are cured. I was simply seeking other's opinions on if a cure is possible.

@Madhather, what do you believe about recovery?

To answer that I would have to give history that I am not ready or willing to share but I will say that I do believe that for some it is possible. I do not believe in cut and dry absolutes in anything that deals with humans, there are too many variables involved. I do not trust mental health professionals, period. I have documented and validated reasons for this.

I have survived half of a normal life span on my own. I do not self medicate and I no longer self harm. I function everyday, even on the bad days. I work, I support my family and others and I continue to educate myself on treatments and theories that pertain to PTSD. I have ordered some of the books that you and others shared in the other thread you mentioned and am worked on mindfulness and grounding techniques at present.

I am not an intellectual, but I have street and life smarts and am highly motivated. I am my own best cheerleader and challenger, I push myself everyday. Perhaps I do not belong as I do not follow the tried and true methods of therapy but I feel we all have a right to question and seek answers, I believe we all have the right to heal.

 

[Survivor2Thriver]

@ Bluerose. Exactly. Thank you I was beginning to wonder if anyone here feels the same way. It's completely natural. It's a beautiful thing our mind has the capacity to slowly reveal traumatic memories enough to properly process them. Trust the process don't fight or fear it. Greater peace is on the other side. :joyful:

 

[Survivor2Thriver]

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.

This is a interesting thread. Why do you wish to play referee?

 

[Survivor2Thriver]

Leaving that aside, you've said something that puzzles me. Replying to what you said here, I have to say that I don't think we're all talking about the same destination. Isn't that the question you asked about in the title of your thread? Essentially, "to what extent can we recover"? What is the destination we're aiming for? In a thread about what people believe, I think you can expect both passion and disagreement. I think it's healthy to have them. How can anyone recover to any extent without some energy and belief?

Nicely stated.

 

[Madhather]

Why do you wish to play referee?

I don't, I was making an observation. Feel free to carry on.

 

[Abstract]

bit closed minded

Personally I don't see anyone's response on here as close-minded or unkind. I think everyone that has responded has been quite passionate and I don't see that as a problem. Someone being passionate does not mean they are discounting someone else's opinion or being closed minded. In fact I think interacting with others and honestly sharing ones opinions whilst listening to others opinions is open minded.

I strongly support peoples own choices in life and I know others on here feel that way too. I am not sure what gave the impression that that wasn't the case. I love hearing others viewpoints. I would never want someone to sensor their beliefs or enthusiasm as long as they share them respectfully.

When it comes to where we are in our journey I can only speak for myself and say that I don't think there are many who are as close to the beginning of it as me when it comes to trauma. I don't think opinions on topics like this are about where someone is in their journey and think it is rather about their perspective or viewpoint and something that comes from inside them for many reasons. Including unique experiences and personality, all which change our path in life.

The reason I personally am passionate? I find it almost physically painful to hear others saying there is no hope for change. :cry: Especially when they aren't doing anything to change matters as I see them staying in despair indefinitely if that is the case. No one deserves to stay trapped in this pain and I personally believe in self fulfilling prophecies. It's everyone's right of course but it still greatly saddens me. What makes it worse is that I seem to be in such a minority. Despite many/most professionals believing in the possibility of recovery most people on here don't seem to believe in it it seems.

I have also had a lot of therapy to help me be able to state an opinion without overly taking responsibility for others personal emotional responses to it. To be able to say things without simultaneously invalidating and undermining what I say as I say it or being paranoid about others having personal wounds that happen to be touched without me having that intent. That takes concentration and will power still.

I think our boundaries can seep out and include spaces far beyond us sometimes when we have a history of being harmed. We can take things outside us as personal violations. I know I have done so and still do so in many situations. I think we all do so when we discuss trauma and deeply personal things and we need gentleness but it is also healthy to be able to be in a space where people are passionate and be OK with that. Especially when it is a general topic.

Just my opinion here of course so feel free to disregard.

 

[Abstract]

@Survivor2Thriver I just wanted to come back and say I was thinking about saying that childhood neglect and abuse results in no healthy coping skills. I don't think this is true. I think we are endlessly creative despite usually having gaps and some people achieve the impossible somehow. Even the bad coping is creative and brave actually. And I think your positivity and determination to use all that is negative for positive growth is very refreshing and wonderful. It is a great coping skill.

 

[Survivor2Thriver]

impossible

I was in an impossible enviroment. It was/is impossible to miss. (Ignore or avoid.) The only way out was/is up.

It is a great coping skill.

And a mere coping skill it is. You.are.correct. I'm working on that.

Yesterday I had a lunch date with a friend. Running late as usual. Brushing my teeth is a trigger. ~Not this sh!t again.~ I continue brushing my teeth while searching for my spray bottle of ammonia to clean my bathroom. :) Every spray has a name. Pwe pew pew. LOL Laughing the whole time. I also couldn't breathe. Which made me laugh more. ~No wonder it worked so well.~ LOL I end up in the kitchen and attempt to ground myself in a better manner. I keep repeating stay in the "here and now." My distraction is realizing I'm late. I called my friend to apologize I'm running late also said. I'm running late but I'll be here." My friend immediately caught "here." Embarrassing as it is..I'm still going in the right direction.

I can't do this the rest of my life. I have to piece together my childhood and release the negative energy. Or they will continue to interrupt my daily life.

I have a lot of work to do...

 

[intothelight]

Most mental health professionals do not view PTSD as curable, but at the same time, many people have symptoms disappear to the point they no longer meet the diagnostic criteria. I guess it is a mental health "remission" for lack of a better term.

Personally, I got sick of chasing the elusive "normal" and just decided to do what it took to make my present life as good as it could be. Once the pressure was off to be "normal", I was free just to be myself and work and challenge myself in ways that make my own life better.

Curable or not....normal or not....each person needs to find what works for them and keep striving to get to the point where they are the best they can be.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

@Abstract,
I think that perhaps you are misreading or misunderstanding what people say in terms of most people here not believing in recovery. I do not see this sentiment. I am thinking that perhaps this is what you personally want to see because it gives you a reason to stay where you are and not heal.

What I believe is that this disorder is with us for life. Symptoms may vary, from full blown PTSD to symptom free for extended periods of time. However the truth of the matter is that our stress thresholds are permanently changed. We will always require a higher level of self-care in order to keep symptoms minimized or in remission. We will never be the person we would have otherwise been without trauma. This is what I mean by there being no cure.

PS it's hard to follow a conversation where people quote ONE word.

 

[Tinyflame]

I was just thinking, and @intothelight alluded to what I was thinking really, I'll ask myself this question if not others: "Does it matter if there is a cure if I am happy?"