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Ecptsd ("extremely Complex" Ptsd)?

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If I could make a suggestion... Keep on the lookout for a trauma therapist who focuses on First Responders.

^This is what I was about to say to you, but she beat me to it. It's the same type of thing that you have experienced. My husband is an LEO and they refer them all to a counseling center with a myriad of specialists- not that it would help you much, I doubt you live anywhere near us, but checking with the police, sheriff, or fire department to see who they use is an excellent idea. Additionally there are a huge number of soldiers near me so that probably explains the number of therapists with a focus on trauma in this area. If you are within driving distance of a base you might want to try exploring the resources in that town, too.
 
i always find the term 'complex' - as used by treatment providers - say s a lot more about the treatment provider than the person its used to label.

may as well substitute it with 'we don't know how to help you' - it often speaks of their inexperience, and lack of hope that treatment can work.

a lot of factors contribute to how a person heals - I'm not sure its as simple as saying 'the more traumas you've had the harder it is to treat' - but i do think upbringing and genetics as well as brain chemistry has a lot to do with it.

not to mention the availability of the help as well as treatment providers that is needed.
 
To be honest, if I looked for people with trauma exacty like mine? I wouldn't be healing at all and on the search whole life long. Trauma is trauma, look for what aspect you need to adress any given time the most, what issues stemming from it, leave out the rest.
If a person is looking for a support group for their porn addiction they don't look for a general addiction group, they look for a porn addiction group ,and if there isn't one they should start one. I haven't found a group of photojournalists with non-combat PTSD online but if I keep looking for them and finding them we'll eventually number enough to form a group or even our own organization-- since there isn't one but really, really, needs to be. Most daily newspaper photographers don't actually see combat and yet we all suffer so many traumas with no support group that will accept us-- because we didn't see combat, as I've said above. Sorry Kaia, but I can't just give up on my search so easily.
 
a lot of factors contribute to how a person heals - I'm not sure its as simple as saying 'the more traumas you've had the harder it is to treat' - but i do think upbringing and genetics as well as brain chemistry has a lot to do with it..

In my experience all the professionals have said this to me. That because I have such a complex trauma and physical pain history that my case is extraordinary and will require many years of treatment and recovery and therapy than the average person. I'm not an expert, I only know what they've told me.
 
Sorry Kaia, but I can't just give up on my search so easily.

I'm not saying that at all; I'm saying don't be discouraged by long search, and don't forget all the bits that can be found meantime, even if not exactly what you're looking for. In the spirit of breadcumbs are food, even though not a whole loaf.
Right on with the idea of forming a group if there just isn't one. Cheers on the idea and good luck with the execution of it.
 
I'm so sorry for what you are going through, and what you've been through. I know how horrible isolating is. The fear i have of going out in the world is so bad sometimes i stay inside for weeks. The depression from staying inside away from people hurts so much. My anxiety is sky high right now. I just found a new T and started treatment and i REALLY hope it helps some. I hope you find some happiness and peace soon and i wish the best for you..
 
Don't give up the search to find those like you.

I am one of the lucky ones. A mere five months after diagnosis I found someone who had the same trauma as me, details the same from age to who traumatized them to family circumstances and reaction. I wasn't looking, but he was there. I know that very few people have this sort of experience. It was so incredibly surreal that to this day I wonder "why?" Why did he come into my life when I needed him most? I have lost contact with him. He has an incredibly common name and is an incredibly private person. I sometimes wonder if he was actually real. Yeah, it was that crazy of a situation. But, he changed my life for the better.

Maybe one day when you least expect it that certain person who is so very similar to you will walk into your life and completely blow you away. It happened to me, it can happen to anybody. You just have to be open to the experience.
 
I think one of the worst things about PTSD is the feeling of being alone in your trauma. I live in a very isolated place and until this forum had never had the opportunity to talk to anyone else with PTSD, let alone someone with even slightly similar trauma.
I suppose trauma is experienced differently for different people and has varied effects, so even though if you keep searching you might one day find someone with similar traumatic events to you - that doesn't necessarily mean they will have experienced them in the same way.
I have experienced many types of trauma, at the hands of different people too. It is horrific. I dealt with mine through dissociation and was diagnosed with DID... but someone else may have experienced something just as bad, but not be diagnosed with DID.
I guess what I'm trying to get at is, it is really frustrating, that feeling of not being understood, not knowing people who have experienced similar pain... but you can never find someone with identical trauma or identical issues. It's hard, but maybe there's something else that can help you to feel understood? I don't know what... I just hope you find the comfort you're looking for, somehow.
 
had never had the opportunity to talk to anyone else with PTSD, let alone someone with even slightly similar trauma
I remember finding people (after playing normal all my life), who spoke my language. They knew what I was saying, I knew what they were saying. I didn't have to qualify and freaking explain everything. They understood what 'flooded' meant. They understood the sanity of my insanity. Keep looking Dude. We are out there. We are just hiding. It is the nature of the beast is it not?
 
Yeah man, you might has well have pulled your profile from mine. You aren't alone at all.

I was molested by a priest at age 4-5, suffered the loss of my mother when I was 9, abandoned for some time during the last year of my mom's fatal bout with cancer, shuffled all over the country by a very violent and abusive dad that couldn't process his grief, nor, be aware enough to help me with mine, more death, loss of close friends and colleagues, unending grief, not able to grieve, multiple major auto and motorcycle accidents, permanent disabilities that I f$cking power through (yee-haw), bi-polar, C-PTSD, all sorts of recreational alcohol and chemical abuse, emotionally abused, mentally and physically abused, some past trouble with the law as a result of alcohol induced flashbacks, countless broken friendships and relations, my father tried to murder me at least three times that I know of, I have divorced most of my family, I have occasional suicidal ideations, have attempted suicide numerous times, anger issues, violence, on, and on, and on...

The fun part is the post-trauma trauma of being a Desert Storm Veteran. That is some good Sh!t right there I tell ya! Thank god for patient friends, loving and committed family, a great local VA system, and some pretty fair treatment by the local magistrates because they seem to understand how jacked up we Vets are after coming home from duty abroad.
 
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@PTSDude I could go on for hours regarding my own survived trauma's as they are extensive and on multiple levels by multiple abusers over the first eighteen years of my life. Like you I don't wear that as a badge as I do not consider my trauma history comparable with anyone else's trauma history.

At the end of the day we all suffered individually what our abusers did to us. We have all survived thus far and I have no doubt will continue to survive for a long time to come.

Take strength from the fact that this forum's members really are a great support platform to each other.

Sending you a warming and understanding :hug: if you accept it.

Laurie
 
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