Discrimination And Traumatic Stress Disorders

[seaworthy]

Six weeks ago, my 'ex' AA sponsor and another program person who is a doctor, restrained me and searched my apt for ‘controlled substances’ that they didn’t think an alcoholic should have. They’ve both insisted that I was making up the Complex PTSD with Stockholm Syndrome and dissociation. I had a prescription for Vicodin through a pain clinic and a prescription for Klonopin. I went into Traumatic shock, withdrawal and ended up in two ER’s from these headaches/vomiting that the Vicodin was for.

Two weeks later, I seem to ‘come to’ out of the dissociated shock and realized I had been victimized...again. I got up and filed a police report. In my report I was really honest as to my vulnerabilities (disabilities) of c-PTSD and DID. I don’t want to have to hide in shame my psychiatric injury and disability.

The Magistrate wanted to know why I “waited” two weeks to file a report. (I.E. I wasn’t acting like a proper victim.) The police called the perpetrators and both of them admitted to what they did and said they did so to ‘help’ me. The police refused to even make a police report and told me I was ‘just an alcoholic and a drug addict and that these two were just trying to help me.’ (This is like a perpetrator of rape stating he was just trying to 'help' the woman get pregnant.) I had to go to the police chief to get them to put in writing that they weren’t going to make a report.

I’m not sure what I’m going to do about this situation, yet. It angers me that sufferers of Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD, C-PTSD and DID) are discriminated against by having their disabilities miscategorized as not existing and therefore not an fact of merit. I'll document the truth of what has happened here, but I'm not going to do the stress of a legal deal.

seaworthy

 

[This Ends Now]

Sea Worthy,

Your post just reminded me to take my medication... so thanks... thought I was going to throw the computer through a window for a second there.

I don't know your whole story but that is a seriously messed up situation. HOW DARE THEY SEARCH YOUR HOME!!!!!! Then to have law enforcement not only fail to act but back them up and insult you?!?!?!

I am glad you are documenting the situation here at least. I am also glad that you have a safe place to vent. I hope you will be able to talk about this with your therapist next time you go.

Best Wishes,

Liz H.

 

[seaworthy]

Thanks Liz

I crossed a line of acceptance into my Trauma and DID. I wrote out a statement under oath of how my disorder enabled me to be under their control. It's the first time in my life I have let anyone know (publicly). I don't want to be ashamed of my psychiatric injury or be deprived of my civil rights based on such.

 

[Nicky31]

Hello Seaworthy.

What truly disgusting behaviour! I am so sorry that you experienced this. Firstly to be let down, traumatised and humiliated by the doc and sponsor, but to then be left out in the cold by the police. They had NO right to do this. What ever you might have been or might be, it does not give anyone a green card to treat you disrespectfully, fail to engage with you in decisions and action and so on.

I really hope that although this has understandable traumatised and scared you, that you can bounce back. We are all behind you! :Hug_emoticon:

 

[becvan]

I have also run into discrimination by the police over having C-PTSD. I have been told outright that so and so is just trying to help where there has been a clear violation of my rights and dramatic criminal behavior. I simply do not trust police whatsoever.

The only thing I know that will help eventually is helping fight against all discrimination of any mental illness. I know that in Canada the Canadian Mental Health Association is fighting tooth and nail to bring the stigma and discrimination down.

On a personal level, you could consider suing them for failing to protect and serve based on a mental illness. :) I'd love to see that settlement.

Hope you find something that helps you feel better and get rid of those "friends."

bec

 

[anni]

Oh good GOD it's so exhausting to have to have this endlesss fight to be able to 'own' the PTSD. I am so sorry for what you went through! We have been betrayed enough by those who caused the PTSD without having to justify ourselves in court, with that cloud of 'shame/guilt/judgement' hanging over our heads. It sounds also as if the court seems to be viewing PTSD as a mental illness instead of a disorder?

It sounds as if you were certainly re-vicimized by wildly over-zealous control freaks masquerading as carers. I don't know if is possible but I agree with the post about maybe being able to sue them. That would be one more exhausting effort, I know.

I have to say that WOW, you sound very strong, and have taken such postive, clear actions already that I'm very impressed! Being able to DO something positive, especially in light of such negative circumstances is a big healing step, even if maybe it doesn't feel that way.

Take care,

Anni