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Sufferer Recently Diagnosed & Researching

MamaByrd94

New Here
Hey Everyone,

I have recently been diagnosed with PTSD, and my therapist is wanting me to do some research into PTSD - specifically things people do in their daily lives in response to their trauma.

Here are some examples for myself:
  • I don't go anywhere with my two children (ages 4 and 5) if another adult is not with me.
  • I think of all escape routes/hiding places/possible weapons when out in public, including at my job.
  • I don't like wearing bold colors/make up in fear of drawing attention to myself.
  • When riding with my husband, I will not look at my phone while going down a particular stretch of road due to a recent car accident.
 
Welcome!

I run auto pilot mode so I can’t say all the things I do in response.

I will say escape routes to everything is pretty much a given for me and I’ve read a lot of other people who do things like that. Bright side, I’m an excellent problem solver because my ability to plan for escape routes has been applied to better use elsewhere.

Taking a 4 and 5 year old places can be tricky for quite a lots of people. They crave independence and yet aren’t ready for it which means reinforcements can be extra handy.

If you’re looking for a good book I’ve loved “The Body Keeps the Score.” It’s about the affects of trauma so I found it extremely helpful in PTSD symptoms.
 
Welcome!

Best stuff I found here was some of the first stuff I found here....

 
Welcome!

I was diagnosed over a decade ago so my system (body & mind) has really calmed down over the years. However, I avoid crowds like crazy and almost never go out shopping on the weekends unless it’s to yard sales or flea markets (regular stores are too crazy). Today is the exception though as I need food and have for the last 5 days so I’m about to head out to the grocery store and since it’s so early I can get in & out before it gets busy.
 
hello @MamaByrd94. welcome to the forum. sorry for what brings you here, but glad you are here.

i started therapy about twenty years before PTSD became an official dx. many of my ptsd responses are still with me, but with acceptance, awareness and gentle self-compassion, those symptoms are quite manageable. the therapy tools, both ptsd specialized and the general tools i picked up before the formalization of ptsd, i've acquired through therapy work when i work them.

you and i share the second and 4th symptom with minor variations. i instinctively map exit routes and when the room is crowded, you will typically find me near one of the exits for the quickest possible escape. sometimes i force myself into the center of the crowd for the sake of exposure therapy, but not too often. when i have to be a passenger in the car, i often give myself cramps in my right foot from pushing my imaginary brake and gas pedals. my fingers often ache from clenching my fists on the imaginary steering wheel. distraction is my main tool for managing this symptom. fiddling with my cel phone is among the distractions i use.

among my other symptoms are:

* fear of asking for help. my conditioned reflex is to put my children (ages 4, 7 and 9) in danger rather than risk asking for help.
* rejecting before i can be rejected. in addition to my dismal herstory of rejection and abandonment, i find it hard to trust somebody who can like a girl like me.
* projection. everybody thinks and feels like i do, don't they?
* conjecture. i hate surprises and want to know the future.
 
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