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The topic that’s bothering me is one that I think will have multiple perspectives depending on many different factors. It bothers me because it brings me back to my own past experiences which are also likely clouding my judgement and causing certain reactions. So, I thought I’d post it here...

I’ve recently wondered if others who share a birthday around Christmas experience similar sentiments - - guilt for receiving’more’ presents than others. - need to balance gift giving by giving more to others - shame for receiving an extra present This sounds childish and ridiculous to write...

Curious to know of others experience with the loss of a loved one years after their death. I feel that mine is unusual, which is partly why I’m asking. Before I get into my own experience, I’d like to hear about yours.

Hey there, i just wonder if others out there have a tough time with sexual intimacy in committed relationships. For me, I know it’s a result of my history. No matter how much self-work I’ve done to process stuff it’s still tough. Granted, I have made progress, but I’m not where I’d like to be...

I’m wondering if this occurs for others and may or may not be connected with ptsd…. Vacation alone ——> yay!! No stress, no worry. Whatever comes up you’ll handle like a pro. You look forward to it Vacation with significant other/friend/family ——> stress spikes and you’d rather not go.

Viewing the world around us with a filter that’s set to identify threats and danger is one of the unfortunate features of ptsd. Even though it’s possible to focus on the positive and remain optimistic, there is often a tendency to notice the negative by default….as a survival mechanism of...

Funny how a word can throw you in many different directions. I don’t like medications, took me quite some time to even consider their use as a method to treat ptsd. But my train of thought has adapted somewhat. The rule I had against their use is only in reference to me. I don’t judge or see...

This has been happening more frequently in my relationship with my significant other. We’ve been together for 6 years and the only change is that I’ve been working thru past sex related events that were violent. I avoid sex by default but have been working diligently on that and have made...

I'm able to understand these concepts as they apply to others, but it recently came to light that I'm a bit confused when I throw myself into the mix. This was discovered in looking at my own history - which I don't think is relevant to the discussion at this point. I'm mostly curious how...

I recently listened to a David Burns podcast regarding sexual fantasies where he discussed a technique called cognitive flooding to address the intrusive thoughts. Lately, I’ve been having some issues with disturbing sexual fantasies about things from my past. I am trying to sort out if trauma...

Curious....when you look at photos that you’re in from the past, do you recognize yourself? Perhaps there are various levels on this - from ‘nope’ to ‘they say that’s me’ to ‘most definitely’. How about people who are also in those photos with you? I’m curious about memory and how it changes...

I am having trouble running a decision and am hoping to gather perspectives from others if so inclined to comment. Background: My T has been away for several months due to illness. I had established if dropping a care package at some point is appropriate and was given approval to do so by T...

Wondering about how others have taken initial steps with communicating with pieces that are stuck in trauma time. I currently don’t have access to a therapist but would like to try working on a few things myself, but am cautious to not cause more harm than benefit. If there are lessons you’ve...

This thread is intended for all who have a tricky time of explaining their inabilities to others from one day to the next. Perhaps we can knock down some distorted thinking together! I also hope to gain perspective here, cuz my view is such that anything I can do one day and not another is a...

As I understand it, feeling numb/blank/absent of emotions is one subset of symptoms with PTSD. Many of us know numb well, but it might be difficult to define what it looks/feels like exactly when you’re in it. In a sense it feels good, because there’s an absence of pain or turmoil that also...

Had a T appointment recently and learned a new breathing technique. It’s a good one but will require practice to master because it’s triggering for me. I had not shared with my T that a part of one of my adventures involved repeat strangulation to the point of black out. (Not easy sharing that...

The unexpectedness of PTSD, the fact you can be swimming along just fine and the water is calm when all of a sudden you get pulled under or swept quickly away from shore. And you don't know when you'll be able to make it back to shore, or up for more than one or two breaths before you're pulled...

Just wondering, and know there are big variations with when to go. Never ever judge anyone for seeking help, in fact I honour those who do. My pride is interfering and I want it to be private. But if I have these things then I clearly don’t need a hand with my stuff. Feeling trapped and...

Makes sense that in order to survive things, our bodies and minds will turn off switches. Often the things that signal that process aren’t overtly apparent to us, and we find ourselves numb, disconnected, floating, not part of our bodies, blank, empty, etc I’m very used to that process in every...

The only place I have recently become aware that this is a problem for me is in therapy. If I'm symptomatic out in the world, sure, I get away from humans as fast as possible, distract myself, or dissociate - so it wouldn't be as apparent. When I'm working hard on trauma in therapy, it's...

When you can’t find the right way to deal with challenging flashbacks, and the only way thru you can find is mixing substances. How do you make it thru and stop that? What else stops the flashbacks? Breathing, exercise, grounding, nature, doesn’t touch it.

I’ve lived in zombie mode for most of my adult life, using work as an amazing distraction and coping tool. Recently though, I’ve started to realize that and also how much the noise/crowdedness/unexpectedness of the city increases my stress and ptsd symptoms. Making the change (and ptsd sure...

Not sure what area this should be posted in...... This is something that has been an off and on again problem for me for several years now, but it's not constant so I never bothered mentioning it before. If I'm eating (usually happens at work) my throat will actually close in the first few...

I don't quite understand why this is.....but it's happened several times, so I'm wondering if others have similar experiences. When I'm in my regular home environment, it's mostly peaceful, politically/economically stable, people are relatively predictable.....but I get regularly stressed...

Anyone been this route and have feedback? Good, bad, ugly? Seen articles about memory reintegration and consolidation......? Thanks.