Do You Think PTSD Is A Terminal Illness?

[lrs]

Forgive me for getting off subject. But I can't help feeling this way, and I really need to say this.

It is sad for me to know how all of you are struggling in your daily lives with this horrible thing, PTSD.
I know what it is like. I once had it about as bad as it gets. I'll never forget it, it's not something you can forget.
But I know what it is like to recover from PTSD, to break free from it's grip, and to live a happy, fullfilling life. I, myself, have not had any symptoms of PTSD for more than 5 years now.
It makes me sad to read how your health, physical and mental is taken from you, and all you can do is struggle to get through each day.
I promise you, it does not have to be this way.

 

[cat]

Irs

Thanks for your words of hope. There are so many different opinions on whether recovery is possible it's good to read such a positive post.
When i was first diagnosed I was convinced that I would be that way for life. However, after months of therapy, meds & relaxation I feel that I'm on the right track for recovery.
The bad days still come but each time they are less intense, my anxiety & ptsd symptoms are less intrusive, I've returned to work & I'm beginning to think about the future.
For those people newly diagnosed hang in there, it takes hard work & determination with all the help you can get but change can happen.

 

[WorkingThruIt]

I have not read all of responses in this thread, so apologies if someone has already said this. But, isn't life terminal?

I read something once that said something like "Given a long enough time line, the survival rate for life is always 0". No matter the situation in our lives, we all have the same end. I guess it all depends on how you look at it, but I do not see PTSD as terminal.

 

[texaskitty]

Anthony, I have been thinking about your reply, and I thank you for taking the time to do it. But maybe I've misunderstood, so I ask for clarification. If I understand you correctly, I should be grateful for simply living in American and having internet access. I think you underestimate my idea of suffering. I know for instance that in India people pass down from generation to generation the right to sleep on a particular piece of concrete sidewalk. But does their suffering negate mine or anyone else's? Are you saying that I simply suffer from self pity and need to "put it behind me" "its in the past so forget it"? I'm sorry, I don't understand, and don't mean to cause trouble.

I spent time in the 12 step groups, where it was pretty much a given that when a person was fooling themselves, that someone would call them on it. Is this was you are trying to tell me?

Suicide discussion is not permitted here, I know, or maybe suicidal ideation is, but not actual "goodbye cruel world". It would be good to have help from those who know what it is to not sleep night after night, who jump sky-high for no reason, and who don't come out of their houses unless its an absolute necessity. Where else does this kind of support exist?

Maybe I'm not thinking right as well, that is always a possibility.

TexasKitty

 

[anthony]

it was pretty much a given that when a person was fooling themselves, that someone would call them on it. Is this was you are trying to tell me?

Bingo... this is exactly what my aim is here. It sounds to me like you have been having a bit of a self pity party going on... which is not helpful. So like your programs, I am absolutely calling you on it. I don't believe it is doing you any good to be thinking such negative acts, instead focus on producing more positive thoughts and results for your life.

It would be good to have help from those who know what it is to not sleep night after night, who jump sky-high for no reason, and who don't come out of their houses unless its an absolute necessity. Where else does this kind of support exist?

I have been in this exact place. What I am getting is that you are thinking that this only happens to you!!! Yes, your not alone, however; it can be better if you want it to be. Instead of focusing upon the negatives, how much sleep you aren't getting and so forth, instead focus on the trauma itself, getting through it as hard as that is, it must be done. You will find that the majority of these negative symptoms and thinking disappear from your life. Choice.

 

[zoe]

Texaskitty

To me the most powerful and helpful word that anyone has given me is the one Anthony just gave you ---CHOICE. It is something I have heard again and again and truthfully it still has not sunk in all of the way… but I believe it will in time.

It use to p--- me off when people told me I had a choice. I would think WTF I had no choice in what happened I was a child. Or I would think they were trying to tell me it was all my fault. Obviously, I missed what they were saying!

PTSD causes one to live in the past and they were simply trying to tell me that it is over now and I can chose to live in the present. (Yes, I know that seems impossible!) Having the ability to make choices is a gift and when I am able to choose to be present it is awesome. Sometimes I slip backwards and forget that I do have choices I never had as a child.

To look at PTSD as terminal is saying that you have given up. I just lost someone I loved and I can tell you that life is terminal. It will end. So I guess the only choices are to live in the past or to work toward living in the present. Sometimes both of those choices are hell. But, for me I’m trying for the present.

I wish you well no matter what you choose.

Take care,

Zoe

 

[rock+climber]

it can get better . but you never forget it.... nightmares is where mine went. used to have siezure from it. still have irrational fears.