I read a few of the posts and it surprised me that, both at the beginning of the thread and at the end (the ones I read) no one had mentioned that there are different levels of PTSD.
Lavender... honestly, the worst thing any person can do is read a part of any thread and then judge something as a collective. The majority of people here are already aware PTSD comes in different levels, and if not, then they should be reading more in the articles before stating incorrect information. Many aspects you read are a minority of the entire conversation. A very dangerous thing to do on a forum without the entire story, as you will find many change their opinion based on responses as a thread goes along, then some don't, and stick with their original thoughts / opinion.
My concern is that people with the milder forms of the illness will feel shunned and leave because they feel "misdiagnosed" and out of place here when in fact they really do have PTSD.
This forum has never been about the trauma itself, hence why areas do not exist within the forums for types of trauma... as this leads to often misguided thinking that someone is worse than another. The facts though, is that you are going to get people who are worse than another, however; agreed, that should never be a point that someone is correct over another. Facts can be right or wrong, opinions cannot.
I read one war vet saying he couldn't believe vets of a "milder" war have PTSD. Hello? I can't believe that killing people is any easier in one war than it is in another, or seeing friends die is any easier. Is this a pissing contest on who has "the right" to have PTSD or is it a forum for healing?
You will always get ignorant opinions... but that is not up to you or me to change those. You can only present the facts, your opinions, your experience, and what each person decides is their right to do so as an individual. My brother in law has PTSD and he is one of the most ignorant people I have ever come across when it comes to PTSD. Nothing I say or do will change his opinion though. I have presented realistic facts to him, but it is always his choice on what he wants to believe, do, act, etc. He is not right or wrong, his opinions are simply that and must be respected as his own.
I'm here looking for help and support, not to have to worry if I'm being judged as a "fake" or someone "misdiagnosed" (that would be a blessing, but I definitely have complicated, serious and chronic PTSD). Can I trust the people here or not? I don't trust people as a rule, so I have no idea if I'll be able to stay here or not.
What other people do is not up to you, nor should others worry about what is going to upset you. You have to respect that other people exist and they are allowed to express themselves, regardless whether it upsets you or not. Every person is being judged, here, their, life itself, you are being judged and are naive to think you're not. We drive a car, we cross the road, we smoke, drink, say something.... every action we near perform in the presence of others is being judged to some point. If nothing stands out, nothing is noted... if something does stand out, judgement often occurs. How does a non-smoker view a smoker? How do you view a careless driver when driving yourself? You are actually judging people and even this forum from your own post that I am responding. This is a part of life.
