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    Sufferer How do people cope? PTSD sufferer struggling with motivation and depression

    So sorry for what you dealing with. It's a lot, but you are now on the road to learning how to cope. Perhaps check with your job about short-term disability to allow you more time to progress further in therapy and still have some finances to live on. If they don't, consider discussing with...
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    Difficulty smiling, coming off friendly

    It sounds like social settings might be a trigger and creates a psychosomatic response of not being able to smile. It may be something to discuss in therapy, if you haven't already. Another possibility is to just keep working on it, practicing in smaller social settings and building up a...
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    Disconnect from past self, no compassion

    Try not to view it as a setback. Just a bad day. Kind of like the trite saying, "It's just a bad chapter, not the whole book." A good story requires conflict and resolution to keep the reader interested. And where do authors find such conflict? From stories like yours, mine and many others...
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    Disconnect from past self, no compassion

    First, I see much strength in your post. You have come a long way and recognizing the achievement is a big step. Second, overcoming ptsd is not a quick fix, more like treating diabetes. It's never truly gone, and I know it's not fair. But if you look at it like a long term illness, perhaps...
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    Advice? Need help for managing intense dissociation. UPDATE: Is this recovery?

    So sorry you are feeling this way. Not feeling could be the mind's way of protecting itself. Try to concentrate on one thing at a time. Perhaps journal about that one instance to help reconnect to the event, then the emotions will likely come. Caution, do this slowly as it can open a...
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    How do you explain the daily battle?

    I think your analogy to swimming explained it quite well. Have you told it to your SO? With my depression, I explained it as a million thoughts on a merry go round going 90 miles an hour. I try to hold on just one and it's ripped out of my hand (brain). And it's going so fast I can't focus...
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    Will I never learn how to love?

    This is a difficult place to be and I'm sorry you are in it. Not being loved and nurtured early in life can leave us desperately wanting it, yet scared because we don't truly know what it is or how to react to it. We can sometimes be our own worst enemy. BF sounds wonderful and seems genuine...
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    nihilistic spiral starting, no point in living

    It sounds like you hit a rough patch. PTSD, depression, anxiety, I'm not sure anyone can ever really be "cured" permanently. It has been for me more like slow growth in learning how to better cope with them. Like the episodes get shorter, something snaps me out of it, and I find another...
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    My husband lost his job, a few weeks after I resigned from mine..

    If you had a bad boss, it is not worth the stress you would be dealing with. Try to let that go and look for another job. There's something to be said for feeling respected and appreciated in the workplace. Be consistent in the searches, remember/hone those interview skills, and it's likely...
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    I'm scared I will never be able to tell someone everything

    Normal. It's a normal part of processing and moving forward. It's feeling others out and sharing a little at a time. I have to use caution in sharing, as too much can be somewhat traumatic for the other person. They want to help or fix, but don't know what to do, then feel guilt about it and...
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    Would like to better understand this particular avoidance

    I, too, can relate. Sometimes it's a safety factor so I'm not pulled into someone else's drama or share some private info. Other times I'm just not in the mood to "talk". I might respond with something like "Can't talk now. Catch you later." It let's them know I received the message, but...
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    Even appropriate caretaking stresses me out.

    Sounds like you've already found your answer, requesting to be inpatient for the 24 hour period. As to the other issues, if you are not already in therapy, please consider it. It sounds as though you have something that needs to be worked through and counseling should help with that. Do what...
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    A lack of friends is a 'red flag', apparently?

    So sorry that this bothered you. As several have noted, it COULD be a red flag, but that doesn't mean it is. I have found that having a few deep relationships bring more fulfillment than having a bunch of shallow ones. It's not about how many friends you have, it's the quality of the...
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    Prayer Requests

    So sorry for the health issues. It can be stressing but try to find calm and let the doctors do their thing. Heart issues have also been related to anxiety and you may have some side effects of lessening some stress related issues you may have. Prayers for wisdom for the health providers...
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    I want to leave therapy but anxious to lose support

    Quitting therapy can be difficult. If I may, I suggest a gradual withdrawal, with an understanding with the therapist, if possible, to book in between set sessions. You've moved to 3 weeks, then perhaps go to once a month, then 6 weeks, etc. Discuss coping tools with your therapist to help...
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    Childhood Other people, society's reaction to childhood trauma survivors...

    I've run across this as well. My thought is that perhaps there are so many that are also victims, but it's just too much to think about, much less talk about. There is discomfort because they, too, are victims of trauma. Sometimes it's about having pushed it so far down and not dealt with...
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    Nightmares and depression

    When I can't talk to someone, I journal to let out those visions and feelings. I might take a little time alone (like an hour or two), journal and meditate, then find some way to change my focus - go to work, tend to house chores, etc. It takes time, but it can be very freeing to at least...
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    Difference between panic and being triggered

    As I read through this, I am wondering if the new psych is "hearing" that the controlled breathing is a trigger. Just like with medications, people are wired differently and can react differently. Sometimes alternative treatments need to be investigated. I'm all for natural remedies, but...
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    Today I am grateful for my T

    First, I'm glad you've found a therapist you can connect with and who "gets" you. Second, how brave of you to take on the challenge of the funeral and seeing the abuser again. Of course, it caused some relapse, but consider this. YOU DID IT!! Keep processing, a little at a time, it's a journey...
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    Anxiety (Fear) and Facing/Avoiding the Unknown

    I have at times. It's anxiety and it can make you freeze up. Could you call the bus company and ask over the phone? If that is as stressing, perhaps try writing your questions on an index card. Using the bus example, have the card ready and hand it to the bus driver. This will get you an...
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    Relationship Dating a great girl with PTSD - Need some advice on what I should do

    What a wonderful guy you are! So sweet to be so sensitive to the situation. Has she had therapy to work through the trauma of the abuse? I don't know if she is capable of deeper intimacy until she works through what happened to her. And to understand that it's not really okay to "play ping...
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    Feeling exposed after telling about ptsd

    First, remember we are not mind readers. Try to listen to what he says, not what you think he is thinking. He sounds wonderful and deserves the benefit of the the doubt that he believes you and is wanting to be there for you. Be thankful he wonders if you are okay, because it sounds like he...
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    Sufferer Hi. [long, but fairly odd/interesting, maybe?—maybe not, though]

    First, welcome! So glad you feel safe here to vent. Second, if I may make a quick observation, he may be feeling like he is to blame (regardless of what happens) because he may wish he could help you. Many men are "fixers" and it's internally stressful when something can't be "fixed", and it...
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    Therapy dynamics - or, how does therapy actually work? (Goals, disagreements, etc.)

    What I've found in my time in therapy was it is kind of like any other relationship where each person has to do some give and take. What I mean is if it felt to platonic, or just dealing with the same stuff, I'd ask about working on something deeper. It's not so much about push back, as it is...
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    Just struggling right now

    Good for you!! Take it slow at first, but try not to give up when it gets a little harder. And it most likely will, but that's where the real work is done, where breakthroughs happen. We support you on this journey. Continued prayers for peace and strength.
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