Hi All - PTSD Can Be Beaten

[suzie q]

I believe PTSD can be beaten about as much as I believe type 1 diabetes can be beaten. You try different meds and diets. You use tools that help build your immune system, but you will always have the disease. Just because your symptoms get better from time to time does not mean you have beaten the disease. Same with say alcoholism, AIDS, or any other life disease.

I understand the diffference between PTSD and PSD. One is brain chemistry, the other symptoms or reactions to stress. Acceptance has been my greatest ally.

When you get a diagnosis, you often get a second opinion. Maybe that would help identify the real problem. I pray that you don't have the chemical imbalance, but if so, there are lots of different tools at your disposal.

For me to "beat it" is to totally understand my disease. Even then I haven't beaten anything, I just get a daily reprieve.

Best of luck on search for answers,
suzie q

 

[Dylan]

I'm interested in MRI information - showing where & what parts of the brain are affected. This is very interesting. Although, after a traumatic event or events, and the individual is exhibiting enough symptoms for a dx of PTSD/CPTSD, why would a person pursue getting an MRI? I've read that there is some danger with MRIs (especially repeated exposure, as occurs with those who have chronic injuries like back injuries, etc.).

Are there particular sites devoted to the MRI/brain changes & PTSD?

Thanks,
Dylan

 

[anthony]

There are specifics in the information section that contain brain scans and the like. No... there are not sites dedicated to MRI with PTSD. Its a single topic and explanation.

 

[SpringRain]

I honestly don't know if PTSD can be "cured" or not, but I do believe that for me seeking out anything that can help is a good idea. (PTSD is a personal journey and everyone has to make their own decisions about what is right for them, which is why I say "for me.") However, I have some real issues with techniques that promise cures or talk in the ways this does.

I looked through the web-site and watched the video, and this is what I think is dangerous about claims and promises such as these:

It sets up those people who are not "cured" to have an added sense of failure.

What if you are not cured by a technique that promises a cure? I have tried EFT and EMDR, both of which claimed to be able to "cure" me - and then felt like an utter failure when I wasn't. To make matters worse, I was then told by my therapist that he didn't know what else to do because he thought I should be "doing much better by now."

Through different things that are working for me I have been able to get to a place where I am happy and functioning and well. I still have symptoms and I do not minimize them, but I am doing well.

I refuse to be made to feel like a failure or feel ashamed any more because I am not "cured."

This PTSD forum is so useful because it offers discussion of various ways in which we can help ourselves and get much-needed support and understanding, without putting on pressure, and without making sweeping claims and promises.

- Rain

 

[anni]

Oh I see. I know after only a week I'm being exposed to so many people with PTSD and I've never even talked personally to even one before. It's been a really long and awfully lonely trip. I have a lovely family, husband, children, home and often am so inpatient with myself to be so lucky and have so much in life but still behave in ways that quite literally handicap me. I don't know if anyone else expereinces the shame part but I have that terribly so can't share with my loved ones how the PTSD affects every aspect of my life. I can't even stay on here for every long at a time because I feel I don't 'deserve' the attention. Irrational I know but it's one of the haywire manifestations with me. I'm really long term, which is why Id be so happy to think there's some way to 'beat' PTSD. :) Managing is a better term apparently and I'm happy to be here and learn from others.
Eventually I'll be able to stay logged on for longer. I do wish to learn and maybe contribute. Thanks to anyone who wrote. :) I'm getting really antsy and anxious right now and so have to log off. I'll be back but thank you all. I mean it alot.

 

[wonderwall]

Brillant Thread from MARK

I am not into this there is no cure.
I just don't believe it period.
Really who said that. I refuse to take medication and I have had two breakdowns since the i was attack.
Always be open to new posibilities.
I find Michael Neil helpfull on Hay House Radio.

I will quote from his book You Can Have What You Want : Michael Neil

Talking about;

Jim Haley, one of the most prominent theraputic innovators of his time, was reportedly asked at a conference where he was presenting how he would treat a patient diagnose with schizophrenia.

Hayley Paused to reflect before answering .

Schizophrenia, ' He mused aloud. ' We still havn't come up with a cure for that, have we?

On been reassured that the newely categorized disease was still without a cure, Haley replied

'Then I would never diagnose one of my patients with it. Why would I diagnose a patient with a disease I don't know how to cure.'


My thought not hot on title PTSD. Don't let it define who you are.

:smile:

 

[wonderwall]

Hi mark,
If you do come back explain how to get this free as I am in the U.k.

Thanks for post

Wonderwall

 

[Paloma]

Hmmm. After 55 years of PTSD...with 2 siblings with same...two psychotic breaks...some excellent therapy and intensive self work...a long period where I was able to manage and thought I was "cured", I have just had / am having another major episode. I now believe there is neurological damage and unless my amygdala can grow from the size of a blueberry to maybe a walnut... I better just concentrate on managing this disease.

I believe my denial and insistence that I was 'over it' not only prevented me from seeing tell tale signals that I was decompensating...but also allowed me to ignore the need to set up a structure that promotes mental and physical health on a daily basis. My T also used the Type 1 diabetes analogy...it is what it is. Accept that and learn how to live with it.

Maybe this isn't true for everyone. But I bet that if you are chronic...this is your life's work. That being said...it's healthier for me to get thru this grief about it and move on with managing it. It isn't helping me to fantacize that I am cured.

 

[amethist]

Just ONE quick answer for you wondewall.

As far as anyone on this planet knows there is as yet NO CURE for ptsd, as even the top Psychologists say there is still a lot to learn of how the brain functions and changes due to life's experiences that effects us all in different ways.

Unfortunately some worse than others.

If this does not answer your question then, nothing will.

If you ever find someone who does know how to cure ptsd completely with it never raising it's ugly head again, will you please let all the thousands if not millions of people who suffer know the secret.

I am sure they will be extremely grateful.

Amethist

 

[suzie q]

Definition of "self"

For the definition of "self", I must look into "self". No one can tell me what my "self" is unless I allow them to identify me by "their self." I have never found anyone who claims to know what others need to be helpful unless they have been in my shoes. To argue that I know "self" is to apply that I have spent much time investigating (staying open-minded) and have come to the conclusion that I know Me.

To continue to argue a FACT of science is to be closed minded. That is not knowing self, that is being nieve. To me its like saying that cancer can be cured. That is true in some aspects, others its not possible. I can hope their is a cure, but if science says no proven cure yet, I have to stay open to all other options. If I don't, I'm just being stubborn or choose to create my own "science" based on a little bit of that,a little bit of this. Am I qualified to come to that conclusion? Do I have experience and training in that area? Does my ability to understand things beyond my reach cause me to grab at straws? Does that really help me? If I wish my brain damage to heal because someone said there was a cure, will it do so?

My experience with arguing things I'm not totally educated in, causes a fantasy world of denial. That's not giving up hope, that's standing by a decision I'm not qualified to make. I never came to the forum looking for ways to hide my symptoms, I came to learn to live with them...until a cure.

 

[anthony]

Wonderwall, you seem to really be stuck on this medication topic. Is it this issue that you have delema with more than the whole cure aspect? Medication is not a cure, nor is the hype you have quoted above from another website. I do not see the relevance:

Talking about;

Jim Haley, one of the most prominent theraputic innovators of his time, was reportedly asked at a conference where he was presenting how he would treat a patient diagnose with schizophrenia.

Hayley Paused to reflect before answering .

Schizophrenia, ' He mused aloud. ' We still havn't come up with a cure for that, have we?

On been reassured that the newely categorized disease was still without a cure, Haley replied

'Then I would never diagnose one of my patients with it. Why would I diagnose a patient with a disease I don't know how to cure.'

You are referencing a discussion on firstly ignorance, and secondly schizophrenia. Ignorance is clearly stated because this one person who you have chosen to listen states they would not diagnose someone with something they cannot personally cure themselves. I'm sorry, but this person is obviously not a physician who could legally diagnose, because if they were then they should be in court and have their license pulled. Secondly, schizophrenia has nothing to do with PTSD. They have zero relevance between the two.

What you are quoting above is basically stating... 'hey, let's just forget about psychology and the centuries of experience and knowledge behind it, and completely make shit up as we go because some people are stupid enough to listen to such garbage!'

 

[wonderwall]

Hi Anthony,
I am not stuck on this medication topic. Neither was I thinking that people took medication as a 'cure'. Or was in anyway trying to suggest this quote is a cure.

I am interested in others views on the medication thing. This is why I started the thread. Do you take mediaction? As I was interested to see if there were others that didn't. Also the thoughts of those that do.

Also I quoted from a book. Not a website. Maybe I didn't make that clear. I wasn't trying to suggest that PTSD had anything at all to do with schizophrenia. So yes lets not have people reading that and thinking that I am.
Really I was throwing it out there as a thought on perceptions. Neither am I discounting years of psychology. But questioning it ?
I was interested in listening to the video you did on diagnostic labels within PTSD (not sure if thats how you would describe it, the vid)
If you read this please send me a message to its wherabouts as i can't seem to find it again.

If you feel that anyone is going to find it distressing in anyway. Please feel free to delete it.

Thanks
WW