Espressobean
New Here
Hi. I'm new to this forum. I was just googling PTSD and Hypochondria to see if my former condition contributed to my latter... Which I really didn't need to google to know the answer. It was reassuring to see that many others with PTSD also had hypochondriac symptoms. Don't know why the forum lets us identify as "sufferer".. Sure, we've all suffered or still are... But perhaps there is a word out there with a more uplifting connotation? Thriver? Coping? Something. Suffer? Eh.
A little about my story, I was molested from the age of four to 13 by a very close family member. When I was 18-20 I got into some drug experimentation, self medicating and the Wrong relationships. I do attribute some of my judgement skills to my abusive upbringing but take total responsibility for my choices so that I may make better choices! My PTSD was subtle in the form of dreams of abuse, the feeling of my skin crawling if some one simply touched me with out my consent... But overdosing caused my PTSD to develop completely new symptoms... By almost dying twice (accidentally but at my own hand) I then had crazy panic attacks... My heart rate would be in the 180-200s for hours DAILY. I always though I was dying... The slightest scratch, bump, pain... Anxiety causes physical pain so you can imagine the snowball effect. It only took about 2 weeks of intense PTSD symptoms for me to consider suicide. Luckily, I sought professional medical care. Therapy is the Reason that I lead an 98% symptom free life today. I haven't had a panic attack in 3 years. I mostly deal with mild hypochondria now... Cope with it & rarely have a freak out. I strongly believe that with out mental health care and so many helping hands, I'd still be in an unhealthy condition. My experience with mental illness & witnessing others mental illnesses has made me more aware of the problems it imposes on people's livelihoods ... Especially the homeless and addicted
A little about my story, I was molested from the age of four to 13 by a very close family member. When I was 18-20 I got into some drug experimentation, self medicating and the Wrong relationships. I do attribute some of my judgement skills to my abusive upbringing but take total responsibility for my choices so that I may make better choices! My PTSD was subtle in the form of dreams of abuse, the feeling of my skin crawling if some one simply touched me with out my consent... But overdosing caused my PTSD to develop completely new symptoms... By almost dying twice (accidentally but at my own hand) I then had crazy panic attacks... My heart rate would be in the 180-200s for hours DAILY. I always though I was dying... The slightest scratch, bump, pain... Anxiety causes physical pain so you can imagine the snowball effect. It only took about 2 weeks of intense PTSD symptoms for me to consider suicide. Luckily, I sought professional medical care. Therapy is the Reason that I lead an 98% symptom free life today. I haven't had a panic attack in 3 years. I mostly deal with mild hypochondria now... Cope with it & rarely have a freak out. I strongly believe that with out mental health care and so many helping hands, I'd still be in an unhealthy condition. My experience with mental illness & witnessing others mental illnesses has made me more aware of the problems it imposes on people's livelihoods ... Especially the homeless and addicted
