Poll Do You See An End To The Symptoms In Your Life?

[shell]

I'm glad you left him shell. He's an idiot. You can work through those feelings and I believe lessen the amount of stress you feel.

Please realize that it has everything to do with that therapist and NOTHING to do with you! He's a retard!!!!

Thanks for your comment, I certainly had a chuckle. I have started with a new person and while she seems much better, it's really made me hesitant about bringing up the past. We talk about everything else, marriage, depression etc. and I've nearly run out of sessions, and I'm still stressed about my past which is in my face everyday. I'm thinking of quitting because I feel like I wasting my money, because I'm too gutless to deal with the stress I'm feeling.

 

[Heather]

, because I'm too gutless to deal with the stress I'm feeling.

You are NOT gutless Ofcourse you're going to feel stressed. Who wouldn't.... Trauma produces stress!! Be nicer to yourself.

I would encourage you to tell her. Write it down if you have to and hand it to her. That's what I do with my therapist when stuff is hard to tell him. Sometimes I just walk in whip out my list and say, "here" and we go from there. Did I mention how much my therapist enjoys me:D:p. I think it would really help you.

Hugs. Heather

 

[just me here]

I can see it, but that doesn't make it happen. I can see myself losing 70 pounds and running marathons, but it aint realistic without a huge amount of work. PTSD is already alot of work and I don't see the results yet, at least losing weight would be a measurable commodity and getting in shape would have a noticeable effect long before I could run a marathon. PTSD work is (so far) a regression overall

 

[stuff]

I don't think they will ever go away completely, but how I deal with them is better than it used to be, and when I can keep my other stress levels down, the amount that my triggers are affecting me these days is considerably less than it used to be. It can be frustrating, because I can go two or ever three weeks with very few symptoms and then I feel like I get smacked in the face with a frying pan that comes out of nowhere which is sometimes even harder than dealing with daily symptoms. That being said, I will take feeling pretty "normal" most of the time and a really bad day every couple of weeks in comparison to my everyday struggle of a few years ago. Life is distinctly better than it used to be.

 

[mamachick]

The triggers are less and I suppose I am managing better, the one thing that seems to be the strongest barrier is my loss of motivation as I think deep down I do not see a future and have a hidden attitude of "why bother"-all efforts can be lost at the whim of another. I tell myself differently every day and try to accomplish something each day that is future related.
I have to say that mine is not just the ptsd, I also have a minor traumatic brain injury so it is hard to seperate what is causing confusion, concentration problems, learning difficulties, attention problems, etc. Then I have cervical disc herniation with stenosis, fibromyalgia and myofacial pain and cfids. Arthritis is getting much worse. Im having stomach problems as well. Not to forget menopause.
When I consider all of this, and realistically, it would take a miracle to make me functional again. Given my age-unfortunately, when ptsd struck a few years ago following an accident, I was 47. Life came to a halt. Suddenly, I did not remember how to apply make up so I stopped wearing most. I feared going for a walk (lung had collapsed) and the further away I got from it, the harder to get back to. So for 5 years my health has declined. Work became overwhelming with the brain injury. I now live in what I call a bubble. Its not like life use to be. I feel like I am dying some days but Im not afraid of it.

 

[Ted Moen]

It seems to me intense trauma over time generates changes in physical systems in the brain that generates cognitive changes that result in ptsd symptoms. Currently, the changes in the physical systems in the brain do not seem to be reversible, so the physical changes are likely to continue to generate cognitive changes that result in ptsd symptoms. However, our ability to understand our personal set of symptoms and develop coping strategies for those of us living with ptsd has advanced significantly the last twenty years and with appropriate support we can live a productive and rewarding life.

Ted

 

[drgnfl2078]

maybe I'm in denile...but I have to hope that I can have PTSD and yet PTSD won't have me. I know it will never go away but if we survived all the shit we did surely we can survive this too.

 

[Lucycat]

I am feeling VERY positive. I can see a life without symptoms. I really believe there is an end to all this!

 

[who am i kim]

I agree with no, as PTSD is part of who you are. There is no cure, total healing from this illness. I have CPTSD.

 

[Mercy]

However, our ability to understand our personal set of symptoms and develop coping strategies for those of us living with ptsd has advanced significantly the last twenty years and with appropriate support we can live a productive and rewarding life.

Ted, would you please tell me more about coping strategies?

 

[Incendiu]

No...Sure I wish and hope for it...but to lose every symptom..no I can't see how that would happen.

 

[Spero3]

I do. It may be wishful thinking, but I am making huge strides in controlling my emotions and fear, standing up for myself, finding my voice in a constructive way, and finding confidence. I am off antidepressants and am down to taking only 10 mg of Buspar once a day and some Trazadone to help me sleep. So, I have hope.