General Can Ptsd Sufferers Recover???

[Sunshine71]

So glad I found this forum. Things are not so good at the moment for us.

My husband suffers from PTSD - it has been made worse after a hit and run car accident just over a year ago.

Can people recover? Do the symptoms fade away or even disappear?

I will read further however I was wondering what treatment has helped sufferers?

My husband has been having CBT and is now going to try EMDR.

Thanks for reading and all the best to you all.

 

[anni]

Hi Sunshine,

If you're reading the articles and threads here you're probably getting some of your questions answered. I do hope so. You'll see that while PTSD is not curable it is managable. It sounds from your post that your husband is in therapy. Since you're both not new to this, perhaps you're still at a point where his isn't at a managable level?

I can only speak from experience, which is that while I can't say symptoms have ever gone entirely away, when things are good they're just sort of incorporated into life in a way which is unintrusive mostly. The major stressors tend to knock one sideways again, to be sure. Yesterday my husband was in a nasty accident. He's banged up but ok, the car's a write off but I'm not in the best of shapes. The good news is after all this time I know what to do, which is use the tools given partly and partly just ride it out. I do not like it but have no choice and at least know there's an end somewhere no matter what it feels like at the moment. There really is for your husband, given the right amount of treatment and just plain time.

Others will no doubt answer as to types of treatment helped them the most. I'm not organized of thought enough to answer that properly today but did just wish to say welcome, and give some kind of hope since you sound a little shredded. I hope it's as helpful for you to be here as it has been for an awful lot of us.

Do take care,

Anni

 

[Sunshine71]

Many months later I know Anni but thanks for your reply - I hope that your husband is recovering after the car accident.
Things have gone downhill again for us - I cant focus or do anything today.

Look forward to connecting with people who are sadly going through the same.

Best wishes

 

[Sunshine71]

Isnt PTSD sad.

If anyone was to look at my family they would think how lucky are we and we are perfect.

A lovely little son, gorgeous husband, running our own business.

The truth is just hell. We feel like we are living a lie.

Close people know - not everything though.

My husband is suffering and now wants to end it all. He has had such strength to carry on but there is only so much anyone can take.

Why isnt there something that can take away the flashbacks? I know that this must be the wosrt thing.

Any advice from fellow partners when there PTSD suffferer has hit rock bottom?

Sorry to be so down.

Its a very difficult time.

 

[amethist]

Hi Sunshine

It is hard to watch them struggle so much. Knowing there is sometimes very little you can do to help them.

Has your husband tried the EMDR for the flashbacks and nightmares if he has those. My husband had 2 sessions and nowthe flashbacks are almost none existent. The nightmares are very rare too.

You mentioned in an earlier post he was going to try EMDR, did he try it. Maybe he should give it a go if he didn't. Does not always work, but with PTSD anything that could help is worth trying.

I hope your looking after your own needs too, in any way you can, it is important.

Amethist

 

[Sunshine71]

Thanks so much Amethist.

My husband was supposed to be started EMDR but the woman said she had to do it very slowly.

I feel now looking back this was tooooo slowly (!)

One week she was on a course, the next week on holiday, and I feel the rapport wasnt there. I did say he needs more than an hour a week.

It seemed like the counselling was extended - she made him hold 2 rods or something to check stress levels?? We thouight he would have to watch some lights m,oving back and forth?? This never happened and I think he had 12 sessions???

It is super to hear that it has helped your husband so much - maybe we need to try again - with someone else.

My husband had an accident 20 years agao and another one over a year ago has brought everything up so badly. Maybe the longer ago the trauma happened the longer it takes to get better???

Thanks so much :O)

 

[amethist]

Hi Sunshine.

Am I right in thinking you live in the UK, you mentioned the Samaritans in another thread, thats why I am asking. If so check out the web sites on the thread I have posted the link for below. This is for you to find your own free support, it does help and there is no set limit, except for the one to one support, I think I had 6 sessions all in all. But the support is always there when ever you need it.

[DLMURL]http://www.ptsdforum.org/c/threads/support-for-carers-in-the-uk.8751/[/DLMURL]

Also look for your local Connect Helpline, it is for anyone who supports people with emotional problems, which includes PTSD.

A year is only a short time Sunshine, my husband had his accident almost 4 years ago now, and is only now beginning to understand some of what goes on in his head and why. He had 25 sessions in therapy spread out over 2 years, for CBT and the EMDR.

Good therapist are hard to find in the UK, hubby was lucky with the one he was referred to. He included me in a lot of things, so I could keep the therapy going in some ways at home. Plus I could give my own feed back when hubby kept too quite over some things. I know this is rare, but it is good for us, as hubby knows I can cope with most of what goes on, having the back up of his therapist and now community support.

Go back to your doctor and ask for another referral, you are allowed to do this if you are not happy with the therapist he had. It may take a while but keep pushing and kicking at doors if you have to. Don't let them fob you off with anything.

Find the support for yourself too.

Amethist