Sufferer Hello...and stuff. multiple traumas, ptsd & autism

[tin-man]

Hi All,

So...not sure exactly what to say here. I see a lot of threads with very open, and honest introductions. Not really my style. I rely on more of a mix of sarcasm, facetiousness, and social obliviousness. But I guess I'll give it a go anyway.

So, yup. I've been through quite a few traumas in my life. Got all the usual dissociative episodes, hyper vigilance, and other trauma brain stuff. Abuse, near death experiences, long term illness. You name it, and I've probably got some trauma related to it.

I'm also autistic (got a fancy piece of paper to prove it and everything) Not something I'd normally tell people, as there's a lot of misinformation and bias against people on the spectrum. In fact, I usually wouldn't talk about any of this stuff (either online or irl), but from lurking here the last few weeks, you seem like good people.

So yeah, that's my awkward, rambling introduction.

As an aside, is it weird to feel weird about using the prefix "Sufferer"?

I used it because ever other introduction thread had some prefix, but it just feels off to me. Maybe I just don't like being thought of as a victim. That I dislike anyone seeing me as weak or vulnerable.

 

[Sweetleaf]

As an aside, is it weird to feel weird about using the prefix "Sufferer"?

I don't think it's weird to feel weird about it at all. I felt weird about it making my first post.

Being a sufferer doesn't mean you are weak and vulnerable, though. It means that you survived some traumatic things, and what you're going through right now is totally natural. Your brain did that to itself trying to help you survive, stay safe, be alive - and here you are, in spite of all of that shit you've been through, so I would say if anything it's a sign of having to be really strong, that you're even a PTSD sufferer.

I wish I could have an easier time believing that for myself, but, so it goes.

I'm diagnosed with PTSD, panic disorder, and I was diagnosed with aspergers when I was a kid. I understand hiding it, I do the same thing myself, and rarely mention it. I also don't really do much of any thinking about it, to be honest. I've talked about it with my providers twice since starting this whole PTSD treatment journey.

I've ran into multiple people here who are on the autism spectrum, so you're not alone in having trauma and autism going on together. Welcome, glad you found the forum.

 

[tin-man]

I don't think it's weird to feel weird about it at all. I felt weird about it making my first post.

Being a sufferer doesn't mean you are weak and vulnerable, though. It means that you survived some traumatic things, and what you're going through right now is totally natural. Your brain did that to itself trying to help you survive, stay safe, be alive - and here you are, in spite of all of that shit you've been through, so I would say if anything it's a sign of having to be really strong, that you're even a PTSD sufferer.

I wish I could have an easier time believing that for myself, but, so it goes.

Thanks for the reply. Yeah, I've been told that before. That surviving the trauma means I was strong, rather than weak. But, like you, I have a tough time accepting that.

Thanks for the kind words though. It's good to be reminded that it's just my brain being stupid. :p

I'm diagnosed with PTSD, panic disorder, and I was diagnosed with aspergers when I was a kid. I understand hiding it, I do the same thing myself, and rarely mention it. I also don't really do much of any thinking about it, to be honest. I've talked about it with my providers twice since starting this whole PTSD treatment journey.

I was diagnosed as autistic late in life, and so I mentioned it here because I'm still coming to terms with accepting the diagnosis. Kinda knew about the PTSD and anxiety disorder for years, but where I grew up was very conventional, and old fashioned. They believed you only went to a therapist if you were a complete wacko. And that kind of mentality stuck with me for a while.

I've ran into multiple people here who are on the autism spectrum, so you're not alone in having trauma and autism going on together. Welcome, glad you found the forum.

Yes, that's what made me join. The people here seem quite open, and accepting. Even the few I saw that were slightly misguided on the topic were very open to changing their beliefs. It's one of the main reasons I joined here.

 

[mumstheword]

Welcome! Glad to have you aboard! I have a son who's autistic, a dad who has Aspergers, probably more family members, undiagnosed, that are mildly on the spectrum, including myself. I have been diagnosed with ptsd or cptsd, depending on who you talk to.
I hope you feel as at-home here, as many of us do! :-)

 

[tin-man]

Welcome! Glad to have you aboard! I have a son who's autistic, a dad who has Aspergers, probably mo...

Thanks, I appreciate the welcome.

This seems like a good place. I do feel a bit weird about how open some people are about their past. Not that I'm saying that's a bad thing, completely the opposite in fact. I've just always had the mentality that you don't burden other people with your problems. No matter how bad things get, you just soldier on through. Which, I know now, is an unhealthy attitude to have. It's just that a part of my stupid brain still feels that way.

I suppose that's part of why I'm here, to unlearn self-destructive behaviors.

 

[ladee]

Welcome !!! You got me with 'a mix of sarcasm, facetiousness, and social obliviousness'. Works for me too... Glad you found us.

Was happy to hear you lurked for awhile to see if this was somewhere you could feel comfortable just being you and being accepted. They accept me too !! :woot:

Great place to be, validation, encouragement, laughter, and lots of support. Glad you are here !!

The great thing about getting to be so open here, is, the majority understands. We relate on so many levels about so many things. We don't have to do this alone, and no one here has ever made me feel like a burden. Which was one of my main issues also... so, hopefully you have found a place for yourself that helps you on your healing journey. I know how much it's helped, and still helping me..

 

[tin-man]

Welcome !!! You got me with 'a mix of sarcasm, facetiousness, and social obliviousness'. Works for me to...

Thanks. That's nice to hear. Places that value acceptance, and validation are rare on the internet.

Lurking is my default choice of interaction. Of course, when I do it in real life, people call the police and I get labeled a stalker :p

 

[Esterio]

Hi there tin-man

Welcome to this site many good people here willing to talk, listen and support you if needed. "Survivor" is a better prefix than sufferer. I hope you find what you need here lot of info in the forums.
peace be safe

 

[ladee]

:laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh: @tin-man , keep 'em comin'... really need some laughter today... we can always get to the serious stuff later, right?

 

[tin-man]

Hi there tin-man

Welcome to this site many good people here willing to talk, listen and support you i...

Thanks very much for the kind welcome. It looks like a safe place to be, with many good people.

:laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh: @tin-man , keep 'em comin'... really need some laughter t...

Exactly. There will always be time to talk about the crappy stuff in our lives. While drinking heavily, and consuming large amounts of narcotics of course :p

 

[ladee]

Well, I won't get to play that day... been clean and sober for over 33 years... lots of memories of good times, but more memories of the end of that part of my life.... but I can watch you have a good time !! No stalking involved!!:rolleyes:

 

[tin-man]

Well congrats on being sober for so long. It must be quite a challenge.

So no narcotics or alcohol. Cough medicine it is then :D

No stalking involved!!:rolleyes:

No promises :watching: