Hi, This Is My First Post On Any Forum

[Jazz60]

My name is Helen and I have been a PTSD sufferer for over 16 years (I was a victim of an attack). This is the first time I have had the confidence to contact other people on a forum. I am really interested to know what treatments or strategies other sufferers have found useful and for which symptoms.

I personally am a strong advocate of EMDR, although it is really difficult, as it makes me have panic attacks, my therapist continues the session until I am much calmer. I have found it really beneficial in stopping the flashbacks and nightmares of the attack and I am continuing to work on many of my other issues.

Although I have overcome many of my symptoms, my nervous systems has never returned back to normal since the day I was attacked, I have constant anxiety and still have an exaggerated startle response. Will this ever go back to normal? Also, I still suffer nightmares, no longer of the attack but of the people that I lost or the lack of support from relatives due to my PTSD. I am working on these with my therapist.

Does anyone have any experience of these problems going away even after so many years?

 

[intothelight]

Hi Jazz60,

Welcome to the Forum. This is a great place to find information, share experiences and receive support.

I can't really answer your questions in regard to symptoms and time, as I was just recently diagnosed. I understand that PTSD is not curable, but symptoms become manageable after a lot of therapy and work.

Wishing you the best.

ITL

 

[anni]

Hi Jazz60,

It's an awfully flukey thing, really. For as many commonalities there seem to be just as many things which tend to be specific to individuals. That's probably because we're all orignally wired differently pretrauma so react variously afterward, I think. I can say that for me personally, yes, some 'stuff' improved I think just through time, some with therapy and some sort of has apparently taken up permanant residence. The startle reflex, for instance, just plain left, which sounds ridiculous for someone with PTSD but it's true nontheless-it just isn't there at all any more. The anxiety responds to therapy plus medication ( off and on ) mostly, and I'm SO fortunate in that the nightmares seem to also be intrusive only when under terribly stress these days. The laundry list of 'all the rest' are the things which I've already introduced as the permanant residents, manifestations which one does live with or learn to work around in time. As ITL said, there isn't a cure but there is coming to terms with some sort of new normal for yourself.

Take care,

Anni

 

[deer_in_headlights]

Hi Helen,

Welcome to the forum!

I like EMDR, too, and am amazed at the creative resolutions to distress and trauma that come out of it.

One of my trauma therapists has started me on Somatic therapy (pioneered by Dr. Peter Levine), in addition to a very eclectic mix of therapy techniques.
We're making great leaps forward using the Somatic therapy combined with CBT, positive, etc..., it's proving to be fantastic for my healing.
Many good therapies are possible, I guess it just depends on the right mix for your personality, Therapist, traumas, etc....

Wishing you a warm welcome, and continued healing,
deer_in_headlights