Can Ptsd Be Overcome In Just A Few Months?

[Padfoot]

I told my therapist she has until December to fix me. I've seen her once, started seeing her last week, she thinks it's wishful thinking. We're moving in December and I don't want to take any emotional stuff with us when we move. We're moving to a place of beauty a fair way from here and starting over. I don't want to pretend nothing happened, but don't want to be like I am now, which is pretty messed up really.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

In a word, no.

If you're fine and symptom free in December, then I'd say your PTSD diagnosis is incorrect.

PTSD isn't fixed overnight. It often takes years of hard work before we even have a good handle on symptom management, let alone being symptom free. Then again, I don't know the severity of your case, but again, no, it won't be gone by December.

 

[TLight]

Wish it were true. Just don't say 'fixed'.........'different' is perhaps a more gentle word.

 

[Padfoot]

Maybe not gone, but better enough to not be ruling almost every part of life, the therapist said wishful thinking, I'm really hoping to have overcome it enough to be able to start fresh and not be so jumpy.

 

[Tanishq]

'different' is perhaps a more gentle word.

Very positive of you. :)

It takes longer to heal. It takes at least 2 years if you are in touch with right counselor/therapist, have positive surroundings. It is like breaking big rocks in your mind and also fears.

 

[Padfoot]

We're moving to a place that's beautiful, we can go out snorkling at the Great Barrier Reef whenever we get the chance, all our walks are through rainforests, we have a good, solid support network there, it has very low crime and most of it is opportunitic theft such as stealing a wallet from an unlocked car or belongings that are left unattended at the beach, not violent crimes, more PITA crimes, and only rarely. I feel safe there which is a good start. There is a sexual assault centre nearby with great staff that I've spoken to, and will access if needed, it's a free service with no real waiting times, a couple of weeks at most. Hoping this won't linger :( I have more to do with life than have breakdowns and panic attacks and be hypervigilant and jumpy in every situation :(

 

[Deleted member 1860]

I admire your desire to heal, however there is something to be said for not rushing through it. True healing takes time and lots of practice. I took the better part of a year just learning meditation so I could calm myself instantly. I know that skill isn't something that could be rushed.

And remember, you take "you" wherever you go. A change of scenery can be good, but unfortunately you will be taking your struggles with you.

 

[twopenny]

I think it can make it worse to try to give yourself a deadline. worse in the sense that you may rush through things, and then they will come back at a later date and bite you.

Hub did that the first time he sought treatment, and it was - let's just say, unpleasant in the end.

Don't rush it - PTSD is part of who you are, that goes with you wherever you go. But you should be able to learn to begin to manage it in that time, so that things are a little less of a daily struggle, depending on how severe your version is.

 

[Flyaway]

I'm afraid that a time limit can't be put on healing... If moving can help minimise triggers then go for it! That's what I'm working towards :)

 

[intothelight]

I think it is great that you have set a goal. Pick the symptoms that bother you the most or have the greatest negative effect on your life. Rank them and tackle the top ones first. I don't think it is unrealistic to learn to manage a symptom(s) in three months. Each of us has our own path to healing and honestly I've found the best method for me is setting goals and tackling them one at a time.

 

[Padfoot]

I don't expect miracles, I just want to be able to manage myself and work full time like before, if I can't manage that then I can't afford to move, and if I don't move I might as well die now.

 

[rightkindofme]

Well, there are a lot of levels to "better", right? If your goal is to have enough control to work full time then you may need to figure out how to get your stuff "together" enough to have 10 functional hours every day. It would be nice if you were perfectly functional for 12 or 16 hours a day but sometimes that doesn't happen.

I consciously give myself hours every day where I am alone and being in a pure panic is ok. I access those feelings on purpose early in the morning. I cry. I write and feel upset. Then I put my sh!t back in a box where it needs to be for the rest of the day.

Have you thought about any staging? I can't move to a complete ending of a problematic behavior just because I want to. I've tried and failed a lot. But I do a lot of moving the goal post and declaring victory. :) The more successful you feel about your progress the more successful you will be. This is all emotional work. Trick yourself. Fake it till you make it. :)

I want to be calm all the time. I also want to be functional. Functional is more important. I will press through and keep working even when I have panic attacks and I feel hysterical.

What matters most to you? What kinds of behavior changes do you want to see? "Not have PTSD" isn't really an option. Now that would take a brain transplant and we don't really do that yet.

Good luck. I think you are capable of moving in the direction you want to move. Whether you will do that perfectly on a schedule... that's harder.