Hello

[sprint4]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to the forum. Survivor of five-year abusive relationship with one of my high school teachers, just started therapy, and just got official diagnosis of PTSD. Looking forward to talking and learning more about this condition.

Now that I think about it, I already have a question for some of the more experienced members out there. I left medical school after 2.5 years because seeing patients was such a powerful trigger for my disease that I had anxiety attacks and severe depression. Therapy has been helping, and I'm looking at returning to school. Some program directors will wonder if the length of leave of absence (a few years now) is justified. Can I reasonably say that it takes years to get to the bottom of a problem like this before one can return successfully to a stressful training program like medicine? Do I have a leg to stand on?

Thanks,
sprint4

 

[MurphyJB]

Hey Sprint.
Welcome to the forum. I'm so glad you are getting treatment.
In response to your question: YES. You most definitely have a leg to stand on. Some people NEVER recover enough to be able to work period, let alone work a stressful job.

Best of luck to you!

MJ

 

[Mercy]

Sprint, Welcome.
The best thought I an give you is to ask your therapist how long he/she thinks you will need for major recovery. Sadly, some PTSD responses can take a long time to I don't know about your leave of absence. Sometimes program directors like update letters plus one from your therapist requesting an extension of time.

Yes, you can reasonably say that you can deal with most of your PTSD symptoms as they relate to your work. Identifying your triggers and working to reduce their effects on you really does work.

 

[Mercy]

Welcome, Sprint.
I am glad you found this forum. There are lots of posts here that can help you along the way.

The first one I suggest is Triggers - The Core Root Before Symptoms Are Activated by the founder, Anthony.
It will tell you how to work postively on what caused you to need to take a leave of absence.