Hi - Unprovoked Attack

[iomdoug]

Hello, I live in the UK and a little over a year ago I was severely beaten in an unprovoked attack by a group of youths. They were caught and sentenced to prison. Physically I am on the mend but have lasting pain, I suffered broken Jaw in 8 places, crushed cheek bone, broken hands to name but a few. I stumbled upon this site when looking for guidance and support on dealing with the panic/anxiety attacks/flashbacks/depression etc. I now suffer from. I starting to get a handle on how I am feeling now but long way from acceptance. My doctor is giving me all sorts of pills and to be honest none really seem to help or they create health issues that make me feel even worse.

Upon interview with the court appointed doctor she felt I was definately sufferring from PTS which was confirmed by my local hospitals mental health team, I am waiting to join a workshop group to help me cope with day to day issues.

My friend suggested I suggested I speak to other sufferers, hence my post. My biggest problem at the moment is anxiety it brings me to the point of imobility.

Thanks

 

[amethist]

Hi iomdoug

Welcome to the forum. Good to see more from the UK finding this forum.

I am sorry to hear all this, so glad they were caught and are now paying some kind of price for what they did.

There is loads of useful information, that will help you with all your symptoms. Take some time to read the articles on the "Home page" as a start, then go from there.

I know the UK mental health system can be extremely slow to kick itself into gear to help sufferers. So may I suggest that you don't leave it too long before you follow this up, if you don't hear anything. Ask your GP to refere you to a PTS trained therapist, they might try and resist your request, so push if you have to. You could also ask for a psychology referral too, to get a proper diagnosis and maybe help sort out your medication. It can take quite a while to find the right combination, but stick to it for now, they do help, eventually.

I had to yell, scream and kick doors down to get the correct help for my husband, so I do know how slow the UK is. If you don't like the answers go to a different GP in that practise if possible. Don't be fobbed off, just because they say no at first. If you need more help, then ask for it.

Take care and keep going forward.

Amethist

 

[iomdoug]

Hi Amethist

Thanks for your welcome. Action taken appointment to go back to the GP, different doctor in same practice (A lady doctor that is 40 years younger than my normal and who has a good reputation for helping people), I feel I have too many pills at the moment, 4 different ones for mood and sleeping which I feel is too much and wiping me out this is on top of pain killers. I have appointment with hospitals mental health team tommorrow, trying now to type down as much info as I can so I don't forget to tell them anything. I suspect I will have to wait for help and am considering asking for a Private referral.

Thanks again

 

[amethist]

Hi

Glad your not leaving it and waiting for them to decide everything.

My husband is on 2 different ones for mood and 2 others that he needs. These are just strong vitamins, he won't use the sleep meds ( Makes him too non functional) and no pain killers needed much now. Less is better sometimes, as some work against each other, though they should have been matched at the start.

Try a different sleep aid if necessary, there is some good tips on my Aromatherapy blogs which may help. tried ans tested on hubby so I know they can work.

Another way to find best GP in practise for your own needs, is to ask which one, if any, has specialist knowledge of Mental Health. If you can go for a private referral and its quicker then go for it.

Tell them all you can tomorrow, no detail is too small or unimportant. Good luck with this, don't let them fob you off.

Take care and hang in there.

Amethist