Being The Boss And Having An Attack

[Lis Morrell]

Ok, I just recently got diagnosed with PTSD after getting attack after attack at work. (who doesn't love running into their office or the bathroom gasping for air, or sobbing, or sticking their fingers into their ears?) Well, since I have only met with a nurse practitioner, who has changed my medications (I have complicated migraines) and who has also diagnosed my symptoms and given me a long list of recommended therapists to choose from, I have not yet had a chance to find one. So, suddenly, I am remembering much more than the child abuse and neglect that I suffered; I'm now having flashbacks of events that I had "forgotten" about a bit after that. My panic symptoms are infinitely worse. I am experiencing constant numbness and pain in my hands and feet, and it feels like I'm about to have a heart attack most of the time. Combine that with wanting to kick everyone's ass all the time... Yeah, not a very good recipe for someone who is trying to run a business. We have an inspection coming up in a few days. These flashbacks are about me being raped by a manager when I was 18. He was like 40. It was New Year's Eve 18 years ago. I had a migraine. I can't believe I am being plagued by these memories now. He doesn't even work for the company anymore. He was fired 17 years ago. But I am getting these attacks at work constantly, and I can't tell anyone why, and they are really interfering with me doing my job.

 

[twinkle30]

I am sorry you are going through this. I have not gone through something as severe as you but I do have PTSD and I can say at least for me it does get better with proper therapy and support. It may take months before you start to have any relief but it can come about.

Aside from therapy something that was very helpful for me was support groups. There are two types of groups you might want to look into. One is a rape/ sexual abuse survivor support group that you can find at a local rape crisis center or perhaps asking your therapist. The other if you are in the USA are NAMI support groups which are support groups for mentally ill people.

I wish you all the best of luck and welcome to the board.