Poll Do You Believe That PTSD Affects You Physically and Mentally? If so, How?

[TSG]

Chronic insomnia, Night terrors, Severe OCD, Agoraphobia, Panic attacks

 

[DharmaGirl]

Startle easily causing me to wake up 2-4 times an hour causing insomnia, I'm suicidal, depressed, anxious, have chronic pain, teeth grinding, social anxiety, nausea, no emotional regulation, problems with relationships.

 

[Deleted member 12723]

I believe in the mind body connection. I have anxiety and IBS flares. I startle but not as bad as I used to. My symptoms are alot more manageable these days. The anxiety and the flares is pretty much what I deal with.

Years ago I was one huge health mess. I was always going to the doctor for migraines and all sorts of health problems. I have not gone to a doctor in a very long time.

I treat the anxiety with anxiety meds and I tale immodium for the flares. Intersting poll.

 

[Shellbell]

Both mentally and physically. The physical symptoms are headaches, body aching, muscle pain, irritable bowel syndrome, exhaustion, very dry skin, feeling nauseous, trembling, shaking, can't organize thoughts.

Mental symtoms are inability to concentrate, severe anxiety, panic attacks, depression, fatigue, irritability, can't tolerate crowds, social situations, can't tolerate many noises, easily startled, feeling hyper aware of what/who is around me, as well as the other main symptoms of flashbacks, nightmares, chronic insomnia etc.

I am at the start of therapy, I've only recently been diagnosed with C-PTSD, and my symptoms are severe atm. I am doing breathing techniques, massage and yoga and have strong medication, or I wouldn't be able to cope with day to day living as a mother.

 

[Red Dog]

I store the pain and stress from PTSD in my neck and back. I also have problems with digestion and panic attacks (heart palpitations, inability to breathe, etc).

 

[lisamarie]

I may be okay on some days, but it only takes the tiniest amount of stress to tip the scales for me. (Just like the graphic Anthony posted in another thread).

It affects me physically by feeling physically exhausted/run down at times. Sometimes I have pain and headaches that I am very sure are due to my psychological symptoms. I get nauseous and my stomach gets upset, or I have diarrhea (sorry if that's TMI). I get back and neck aches. I feel light-headed and dizzy, and sometimes my throat feels like its closing up. Sometimes I feel like my body is plugged into an electric socket....I'm just so charged up. Anything can set me off.

Mentally I have a really hard time concentrating. I forget a lot more now than I used to. Its frustrating. I work in the social services field, and patients tell me things and get insulted (I think) when I can't remember. I do the best I can. So much of my psychic energy is wrapped up in my own crap that I find it hard (at times) to focus on other people's problems. I get distorted, negative thinking, and paranoia. A lot of social anxiety.

Yep, it pretty much affects my whole life. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy. Well, actually, I'm lying. I wish my abusers could feel how I feel today, everyday, for the rest of their lives. They deserve that.

 

[Anna]

Yes, every day and all the time. 24/7

I am constantly exhausted because I don't sleep properly due to nightmares, hypervigilance etc.

Nightmares. Trust issues, the list is endless.

I just get on with it though. I try not to moan.

Caffeine and nicotine are pick me ups
Alcohol knocks you out so you can sleep.

You can let this disease get you down or learn to cope with it. I learned to cope with all the annoying issues so I can try and live as normal a life as possible.

 

[Invisible-Guy]

Absolutely, PTSD sends your entire Autonomic Nervous System for a loop.

 

[Deleted member 12723]

It has a big kick for me.

 

[BlackbirdSinging]

Yes. It's physically emotionally and mentally exhausting to constantly have to either face or deal with the symptoms.

 

[Changing4Best]

I suffer from Lyme Disease (which has over 200 symptoms), Bipolar, neuroapathy and other various physical conditions as well as the PTSD. I have days where I refuse to get in the shower, brush my teeth, or get dressed; I stay in the house and basically sit for hours in my rocker/ recliner doing one or the other with it. If I am feeling a little better, I read a book or magazine. If I am feeling a lot better, I may even go out. If I'm not, I may even cancel an appointment and reschedule it for a hopefully better day.

Panic can hit me from things like having to step into the grass (where ticks can be and I can be reinfected with the Lyme Disease all over again!). Crowded places can give me anxiety, but sometimes I can deal with them on my better days. I live way out in the mountains now, so that helps a lot. My BIG city dwelling days are over, thankfully. None the less, I live in a small town in low income housing and do have some noisy neighbors upstairs, so that can drive me up the wall at times.

My PTSD is from early childhood molestations and abuse as well as later life rape and abuse. I lost my husband to a massive stroke and then a heart attack a few years later from which he died. I lost everything I owned and was homeless for three years. These things surely have added to my PTSD as well.

Not a day goes by when I don't suffer some physical symptom(s) as well as some mental one(s).

 

[txtrace]

I get physically ill and, like others, at some point my body just shuts down and I can not function. I have physical injuries from my crash that cause me pain every day but when my PTSD is ramped up the pain gets so much worse.