How Do You Know if You're Past The PTSD?

[becvan]

I have also pointed out, many many times, that I'm ambidextrous and that this method doesn't do diddly squat for me. I already use both sides of my brain for different things. I was ambi before I had PTSD, and still am ambi now.

I'm very glad this worked for you lrs, however there is no scientific proof this works for anyone else. PTSD is not curable unless it's curable for the masses. Not just one person.

bec

 

[Auburngirl]

At this point I think I no longer meet the criteria to be diagnosed with PTSD, this doesn't mean it can't come back, nor that everything's better, but there has been a significant amount of recovery. I also found a book by Rothschild called the Body Remembers to be very helpful.

I think it is possible to get well enough to no longer fit the diagnostic criteria, even if those of us who get there retain a risk of relapse. There are different opinions on the forum as to whether or not this constitutes a cure, but do believe that you can and will get better. Things can improve substantially. And, at least in my case they have. I don't doubt there will be more challenges to come, but I'm in a much better place than I was a year ago.

 

[anthony]

Auburngirl.... I believe what the real facts are from those who end up with what they believe to be "cured" is more a case of misdiagnosis. Honestly, PTSD diagnosis is a guess for the majority. PTS and PTSD show exactly the same symptoms. One is curable, one is not and will affect the person all their life, regardless how much work they do, therapy, etc... only improvement is shown, though the illness still affects them daily. This is where I believe those who come out and never have another bout again fall.... misdiagnosis.

It is not the patients fault, its not even the physicians fault; because the facts simply remain that the two are so identical that the only difference is what occurs in the brain making one non-curable. Saying that.... both a PTS and PTSD sufferer could have identical brain patterns even, though one will not cure and the other will. Why? Some has to do with physiology I believe from studies... some is seriously just unknown to the researchers and they are trying to identify through testing, studying and analysis. Only time will tell if they can find a cure or not.

LRS states he is cured and if you read over his writing, he had an MRI etc etc which all tells the story that PTSD is prevalent within his brain. He has done something that he believes worked and he no longer endures PTSD period. Others have outlined here that the same thing didn't work for them. The outcome is really just quite unknown to us all...

I believe the only way to really know whether you have PTSD or not, is once diagnosed you head in the direction of working through your trauma, facing all your fears, etc etc.... if you still have recursive symptoms after all that work, I think you could say you have PTSD. If not.... you could likely say misdiagnosis and that you actually have the curable PTS instead. Both present the same symptoms. Physicians love to diagnose PTSD if you have had the symptoms for x amount of time. That is the absolute nonsense aspect of the diagnostic criteria IMHO, as how can anyone say you have x based on the same symptoms but the only difference is time? You can have PTS for years.... it can develop into PTSD, yes. It can also still be treated years later and a person comes back to their normal self with no further symptoms. Cured? No... just misdiagnosed all because of the time factor associated with a written diagnostic criteria.

Lets be honest here.... two couples, both partners die of unusal circumstances. Both surviving have PTS symptoms. Both 3 months on have the same symptoms... worse even because they haven't gotten better. If both people went to the shrinks they would both be diagnosed with PTSD. Both people could sit down with family, therapist, shrink, etc, talk it all out and within a matter of months no longer have any symptoms, instead some would say they have been cured. Actually, they never had PTSD, they just had PTS. They where diagnosed because a theory based book said they should be diagnosed if they have had the symptoms for x amount of time. Go figure....

Just my two cents on this....

 

[pandora]

I so totally agree wi Anthony...this diesease...PTSD....managed, not cured, r I would be cured right now.

I have been researching this so much.....I am a registered nurse by trade, graduated in 94 and even with a nursing shortage obtained a good job. Then became a teacher in another province in canada ( relocated myself at 28 to a huge strange city) I stood up in front of 48 personal support workers and taught, I was respected, listended too and this was a continuing ed course, mostly in their 40's a lot of people while I was 29, telling people I was 30 because I look 18 at37. When I decided to move back home to my home town, I looked after palliative...or dying people ( my goodness did I ever start so consider myself the death nurse"
I then was chosen out of 8 nurses with 20 years experience, I had 10 years and got the supervisors job..........Some not happy but I was the one with the most points after a three hour interview in front of three woman righting down every word I say.....I got the job.................................i guess my point is i was really becoming successful.......if this goddamn disease was curable, I swear I would have that cure.....I have been researching for five years all about this.

I have done CBT, it helped, ZENSIGHT therapy and one day work shop.....not really sure if that helped or not, I have talked about the bad things over and over, writtern written things out, shared with others, joined this support group, read and read some more, listened to tapes over and over, do deep breathing, positive self talk myself and all of the wonderful things that we should do. This is never going to go away....It is livible but i feel like things just needs to be calm, your life needs to be calm...HHHMMMMM.....could be why I push so many people away Sorry I hijacked this thread it really struck a nerd.......My next venture is EMDR....it is a long process but there are different ways to e symptoms, it is learn how to live with it you just have to push yourself.....push through the stupid depression.....keep putting one foot in front on the other and one minute at a time.......Personally, I think this is as good as it is going to get for me......Mayb the hyperviligence will be a bit better when my back is fixed, but I think will never go away, I will always have to challenge my own thoughts, think before I speak, be happy for what I have and just know that I just have to deal with this.....even though I used to be able to do medical procedures requiring accurancy, have worked in emerg.........I realize this is managed not cured.......I would have the cure!!!!!!!........Losing the job I loved is really starting to make me angry....one minute at a time.

 

[pandora]

I used to be calm, worked well under pressure and now as a 37 year old...loud noises make me jump and generally secream out loud, wherever....hence easier to stay home. when something changes in my daily life now, well....i had a FIRE the other day...I was soooo scared, it never entered the house and we were able to get it out before it entered my dining room window.....but the flames were at my roof, ii have no strength because of my back injury.....couldn'et get the fire distinguisher to work because I hae NO strengh, i starting throwing water...anyway it got out. I was shaking so bad......I really looked like a freak, it just started and when it gets that bad my legs go like jello and to top it all off, I fell, running to throw water..........years ago.it would not have upset me this much, now...yes that would have upset me.....I went to pretty much non-functional, started balling...I was scared, yes but the thought of having to deal with this shaking and uncontrollable body at times, that is a hard one to accept. i feel those are things that are forever going to be in my life.....it will be hard to live this way...it can be done but what a
thing to deal with, daily. Those are the symtoms well others like insomnia make life hard but am doing it, as well as can be expected.......hope this made sense. I just felt like I needed to add my two cents as, really, if there was a cure, I would have found it.

 

[Ymozzy]

just to let you know. I no longer have night terrors. they disappeared once i found a therapist who finally figured me out. this safety via a therapist has done wonders.

i am now at the stage of dealing with anger that has brought the flashbacks on full tilt. i believe with PTSD we have all had things in our lives that is hard to work through. but i am assured there is another side i will get to. i believe in your will, want, and efforts in seeking help will get you their.

FYI it took me 23 years to find a therapist that could help me. i have a brain injury from a MVA but being that i do not recall this, the PTSD is actually from an event in adolescence that unfortunately is still recalled despite memory problems. my point is that no matter what your situation, there is help but it may take a lot of work to find it first. then starts the work that goes into finding another way in of itself. best wishes...

 

[lrs]

In response to Lisa, sorry, but you have not done what I did.
I applaud what you did do, not many would show the determination, and put in the effort, and I’m not minimizing it. But is not the same.
In the past 4 years, I have made an effort to learn many things as a lefty. Day to things such as shaving, brushing my teeth, computer mouse on the left ( which works really, really well ). I’ve also learned outdoor activities as a lefty as well. I have practiced shooting sports, casting various types of rod and reel, throwing a cast net, left handed. I’ve learned to write as a lefty as well, and wrote a 49 page short story. Currently I’m doing martial arts, a style called Haganah. I have only been doing it about a month, but it came with a set of CD’s, so I practice this every day, for about a hour and a half. There are strikes, kicks, and techniques of various types, and if you plan to be able to use this effectively, you must do it right and left handed, equally well. And I do practice right and left hand.
None of these activities have the neurological intensity of learning a difficult style of music on a stringed musical instrument. It is important to note “difficult”. You can learn to strum a guitar, changing chords, etc, in a simple manner, and make a decent sound. By difficult, I mean something like classical guitar, bluegrass, or jazz, and I’m sure there are others. Watch someone like Earl Scruggs, Stevie Ray Vaughn, David Grisman, BB King, or countless others, and you will see what I mean.
I would probably omit the bass guitar, but I could be wrong in doing so. You are welcome to debate this if you feel it’s important, but I would rather you ry it for yourself. I have been practicing playing a banjo, bluegrass style, left hand, for 4 years and 8 months. My left hand playing is still rather poor. Oddly enough, it has improved my right hand playing by leaps and bounds.
I have been asked numerous times if anything else would work. Martial arts and video games are 2 of the most common questions. I have been skeptical of these having the neurological intensity to achieve the results that occurred with me.
In addition, you did not state if you have had a sleep study. I am convinced that
The sleep study I had in 8/2000, which resulted in my use of a cpap machine, played
A role in what happened.
Nonetheless, what you did, and Anthony as well, as he has previously stated in other threads with martial arts, is interesting. I believe you stated you have gotten better during this time period.
You did not provide much information, but I get the impression you were diagnosed with PTSD, sought counseling, got involved on this forum, educated yourself about PTSD, made an effort to get out of yourself and help and connect with others with PTSD. When did you have the elbow injury which resulted in the change to using your left hand?
Anthony, I believe, has a similar story, with similar results. And both of you are able to state that your symptoms have improved. How many here are able to say the same thing?
This suggests, but only suggests, the similar types of skilled rigorous physical and mental effort that was used by both of you, applied right and left handed, combined with the right kind of counseling, and the education, and connecting with others was helpful in decreasing the severity of PTSD. Maybe there is something here, maybe not.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Right now, we are guessing. PTSD is a valid diagnosis, though some dispute this. Those on this forum are all too aware of it’s reality. It is worthy of the most intense research.
I would prefer that bona fide researchers with the necessary qualifications and experience with applying recognized scientific methods examine this.
I myself do not posses the qualifications for this, but I would gladly lend myself to any such study, if asked to do so.
If I had the imagination to make up a story such as what I told, I could become a millionaire writing novels.
If my story were not accurate, it could easily be dismissed, and easily disproven.
What I have stated is truthfull, and it is accurate.

 

[anthony]

I would prefer that bona fide researchers with the necessary qualifications and experience with applying recognized scientific methods examine this.

I concur with that, as LRS already knows my stance on this. All things should be tried. Ambidexterity has the same effect upon the brain as what PTSD does, being a chemical imbalance between the right and left brain hemispheres. What the thought on this is... is that after having PTSD and then doing something that causes a similar effect, is that maybe... just maybe, one counters the other to rebalance itself. Science is just so unknown... as is the brain. I believe scientist know something like 2% or a little more maybe of the actual brains functions. It isn't much from reading.... which says there is a lot to learn about it. If they knew how the brain functioned correctly and what really did what within it, many many issues would be resolved without having to find some pharmaceutical alternative.

Dreams and wishes.....

 

[lrs]

Yeah, but knowing the end result would kinda take some of the fun out of it. :smile:

 

[lrs]

Forgive me, I'm just poking fun at myself. :crazy:

"" If they knew how the brain functioned correctly and what really did what within it, many many issues would be resolved without having to find some pharmaceutical alternative. ""

I couldn't agree more.

 

[Revival]

Revival

How do you know if you are past the PTSD?
How do you know if the nightmares and flashbacks are gone forever or if you have just sorta stuffed them for another while and that they won't come back in a few years/months?

I ask this, as I have always been on again, off again with this depression / turmoil.
Whenever I think it's over and I am feeling great, then something happens that brings it all out again. Sometimes it takes years.

I always just thought I was a nut job...it wasn't til just recently that I was diagnosed. So now I have a label, woohoo!

Does this make any sense to anyone?

:think:
Annie

Hi Annie !

What you say is so true ! It is something that will always come back..., in cycles..., and as for me..., every 80 to 120 days...! Learn to regognise the symtoms when they occure ! It slowly crawls up to you..., and if you don't learn to regognise it..., it will always catch you off guard. You can learn to cope with it..., but to speak about the stuff inside you..., that is the best...! I have a new lifestyle now..., but at least I have my life back.
In time it becomes easier to controle PTSD..., but you need to make some mind ajustments..., and have a sollid believe in something...! I learned to focus more on religion..., believing in something greater than my problem.

Good luck and God bless...!

Revival :rolleyes:

 

[piri]

question to lrs

Some weeks ago i read Anthonys post describing your "case". I think I recall that at the same time that you started the left hand guitar practice, you also started to add omega 3 to your diet. I'm just curios to know if you continued this for the last years since you got well of your PTSD. Some months ago my psychiatrist reccomended the book "healing without freud or prozac" by David Servan-Schreiber. I started to follow his advice on omega 3 in my diet 2 months ago, and I can really feel the difference! I would not say I'm cured, but my capacity to handle stress and negative factors has really improved.

piri