Sufferer Greetings From Aus

[Arr]

Hi all, thought id post an intro and ask a question at the same time.

I've sought counselling for gambling, lying and financial issues in the past and the psychologists have always indicated that I'm suffering a trauma related condition. (first brought up in 2004).

this has ruined every job and relationship I've had and having left work again and hit rock bottom my partner decided we're over and I was in crisis. I've reached out to the right people... my GP, mental health teams etc and I've been racking my brain trying to understand what trauma I may have experienced. I always thought ptsd was related to war, abuse, etc...

Then I had a thought and called my mother to find out when this adverse behaviour started and we came to the conclusion it was when I was 13 yrs old. The same year I was bitten by a dog..

I was collecting money for paper deliveries in my area. I knocked on one door after opening the screen door and when the woman answered the door a bull terrier raced past her and locked on to my thigh causing deep puncture wounds.

Her first reaction was to tell me I shouldn't have opened the screen door and she thought I was a friend of her son. She asked if i was ok, paid me and I rode my bike home with a bloody leg.

Could this actually be the cause of the devastation of a life I've had for the past 26 years???

 

[RussH]

Any trauma can have devastating effects on the human psyche. Especially trauma that puts you in fear of great injury, or death. So, yes it is possible this could be the cause. Otherwise, could there be a memory that you have repressed?

 

[Arr]

Thanks Russ, I don't think there's a repressed memory... I'm close to my siblings and parents and they've been thinking hard as well..

I'll discuss it with my psych but it almost seems too simple... 26 yrs late but simple...

 

[intothelight]

@Arr Welcome to the forum!

Could this actually be the cause of the devastation of a life I've had for the past 26 years???

This would be a really good point to discuss with your psychiatrist as so many of the problems that you mentioned could be connected with a variety of disorders. I hope you find the information here helpful.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

I'm not sure if a single dog bite can rise to the level of trauma required for ptsd. You say you have a trauma related condition but have you been diagnosed with ptsd? Your issues can be related to having trauma in your past but they are outside a ptsd diagnosis.

Welcome.

 

[Wounded Scribe]

Hello, it's nice to meet you. I hope your stay here, is as beneficial as mine is. Wishing you the very best in life, and I hope you find the answers you are looking for.

 

[Arr]

@wounded thanks, it feels like I now know what I may be up against.

@Solara, I had a psychologist and a clinical psychologist diagnose me in in 04 and 12 respectively. I just couldn't see any trauma in my life that I thought was worthy. It took a lot of digging to realise how I felt in the moment and aftermath... although having the brut lock on to my thigh as scary, it WAs the immediate sense that it was my fault that hit me most.

 

[TonyG]

I am sorry but I don't get it, A dog bite caused all this,

 

[anthony]

Could this actually be the cause of the devastation of a life I've had for the past 26 years???

Did you think you were going to die, being the age you were? You have to remember to your thoughts then, not what you think now.

Fault is not a qualifier for PTSD.

 

[Arr]

From what I've read dog attacks/bites are a big cause of ptsd in kids. Bear in mind I was 11. I can't recall the exact thoughts while this thing was locked on my leg.. The feeling of fault wouldn't cause ptsd obviously but could explain the the feeling of worthlessness, guilt etc...
Look... I could be wrong but with two psychs telling me I have ptsd I'm looking for answers and support. And with all due respect I was looking here for support... I didn't come here for answers.. I'll leave that judgement to qualified people.

 

[TonyG]

Being a fellow Aussie and a former paper boy suffering from PTSD I just think that you should consider getting a third opinion,

 

[Arr]

Sure