Hi - Started Showing Signs Of PTSD

[Sarina]

Hi everyone. I've read a lot on this site before I finally decided to join. I haven't been officially diagnosed with PTSD, but based on what I've read, I think it's pretty likely. I'm not ready to go into details...but I started showing signs a few months ago and it seemed to steadily keep getting worse. I'm too terrified to go see a therapist or doctor, as they are very triggering of my bad experience. I'm not sure where to go from here. Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Sarina

 

[betterdaysahead]

Hi Sarina,

Its a very scary feeling to have ptsd,but you have to be willing to help your self. You will find lots of support here.

 

[anni]

Hi Sarina,

The whole avoidance thing is pretty typical, as you probably know if you've been doing some research. If you're in pain, though, and having your life disrupted it's terribly important to just push past that fear and take the first step of calling to make an appointment. After the first step it will be a little easier. If you trust and like your primary care doc, that person will even listen and then refer you. There will be some things tough to just plain do, in dealing with overcoming this PTSD thing, but the alternative of not seeking help leaves one nowhere at all except still in pain. It's just one call at this point, do-able!

Anni

 

[layned]

Hi

I have just joined too and am suffering from PTSD. My heart has been beating very fast for the lat 4 days. I am scared and in hyper vigilant mode. So I went to see my therapist. We both know (being doing therapy for over a year) that the event last week triggered my abandonment pain and loneliness. I grew up in an alcoholic environment so I have so lots of bad memories. My therapist also said that it could be something that happened when mom was expecting me, maybe a carried belief of trauma. I too want to avoid the anxiety and fear I am feeling but at the moment it s unmanageable.

The support I am receiving from my therapist and good friends is helping me get through this. I still have to go to work, attend meetings and socialize and I am struggling but taking it one day at a time.

 

[Sarina]

Thank you anni. I haven't tried calling yet, but I've walked by the counseling building on my college campus a few times thinking about going in. But I've never worked up enough courage to do it. One of my problems is I have an extremely difficult time trusting anyone. There are only a couple of people that I do. But I think the biggest problem is that I've always wanted as few people to know about my pain as possible. Even my family doesn't even really know what happened. The only person I've confided in before now was my boyfriend, who has been my greatest support these past few months. Telling him what happened to me was one of the most difficult things I've done. I don't like seeing the pain and discomfort I put other people in when I try to explain what's wrong with me. Even a complete stranger, like a counselor.

And layned, I know exactly what you mean. I have had days where I am so paranoid, I've had to leave class or work early to avoid breaking down in front of everyone. I've never been a particularly outgoing person, but after I started with these panic attacks I've really drawn into myself and it has become very difficult for me to socialize at all except with a very few close friends. I am glad your therapist has helped you through your pain. Hopefully I'll become brave enough to find the help I need.

 

[seedling]

You have already walked by the counseling building, that means you know you need to go there and you've taken the time to find out where it is. Now to call or walk in the door. It's the right place for you to be. I was amazed when I made the first call how they just seemed to know what to do and understood.

That's great you have someone to support you and you were able to tell him. Can he help you make an appt or go with you to ask for help?

Good luck, you have taken the first steps.

 

[Sarina]

Thank you, seedling. My boyfriend and I are actually in a long distance relationship. He lives several states away, and I only get to see him a few months out of the year when I come home from college. But he his coming to visit in a couple of weeks. Maybe we can try then if I'm brave enough by then.