Poll How Severe Are Your Ptsd Symptoms Currently?

[Ellie]

I have C-PTSD and for the last year my symptoms have rocketed to the point that daily life is barely manageable. My symptoms include hypervigilance in the form of severe anxiety, which I notice usually as chronic over breathing. I live in a state of constant anxiety, which is compounded by the chronic hyperventilation, and vice versa. The constant levels of too much carbon dioxide in my blood as a result have led to severe and constant headaches, dizziness to the verge of passing out, depersonalization and a whole host of other lovely and friendly symptoms ;) The hyperventilation maintains a state of panic which merely sends my PTSD into spirals until I crash. Over and over. I feel like I have lucked out on symptoms and I'm feeling a little sorry for myself this evening :P

I am at my lowest of the low today, having weaned of benzos a week ago, after being on them for 2 1/2 months following a particularly difficult period over the summer due to moving house, starting a new job and my two year old starting nursery, as well as attempting to face trauma in therapy... clearly I was completely mad to attempt this during this time ;)

I hope that I will see responses of people who say that their PTSD has improved in severity with time...I need hope right now.

Somehow through all of this I have maintained my new job as a lecturer at university. I am now seriously considering whether I will be able to maintain this job, and I just want to cry at the thought of letting it go as it is the best thing that ever happened to me, other than my daughter and my marriage. I feel defeated by PTSD today.... :(


Sorry for the rant!

 

[Ronin]

Fluctuates.

As in, there are lows... and lower lows... wait for the tide to turn, there's also highs and everywhere in between.

& Where things don't get better? YOU get better, better able to manage it, because you've been there before, it's a pit but somehow a familiar one. It's not a defeat, it's a learning curve.

 

[claroscuro]

Symptoms are pretty bad right now, but that's due to circumstances as well as the illness. I have had periods where symptoms were mild.

I agree with @Ronin, and just want to add, when things do get better, you have to work at actively maintaining that, being mindful of where you are and how you got there. I have slipped back twice because I got lazy on maintaining my progress.

 

[Ellie]

Fluctuates.

As in, there are lows... and lower lows... wait for the tide to turn, there's also highs and...

Thanks for your input @Ronin. Sound advice

 

[Recovery4Me]

I have the unofficial C-PTSD and the Official diagnosis of Severe PTSD as sometimes trauma does not stop in childhood. I maintained employment as an Professor and teacher for decades, so it is doable despite our fluctuations within the symptoms.

As PTSD has had many names along my lifetime, I dealt with functioning in different manners at different times. It can sometimes boil down to a story of my friend's three legged cat, who could out run me, despite my being an young, ferocious sprinter!:laugh: My friend offered in condolence, "He will not accept defeat, despite public opinion!":hug:

Charge on with your dreams luv! Do not accept defeat.

 

[Ellie]

Symptoms are pretty bad right now, but that's due to circumstances as well as the illness. I have ha...

Sorry to learn you're struggling too currently @claroscuro glad to hear you've had easier times. I was only diagnosed in 2015 so I'm hoping my symptoms will lessen slightly with time...

 

[Ellie]

I have the unofficial C-PTSD and the Official diagnosis of Severe PTSD as sometimes trauma does not...

Thanks for the post @Recovery4Me. Inspiring to read and hope-inducing. I'm determined not to let the PTSD wreck my life! Glad for you that you managed to maintain your career whilst having PTSD, amazing

 

[Recovery4Me]

@Ellie :hug: PTSD is the result of what was done to us...not the sum of who we are !
Best of wishes within your journey and fine lecturing at the university. Dare greatly !

 

[Friday]

More than I'd like.

I've had years of being virtually asymptomatic, and years where I'm either barely functional or not functional by anyone's standards, except maybe my own. :wtf:

 

[Ellie]

@Ellie :hug: PTSD is the result of what was done to us...not the sum of who we...

Many thanks @Recovery4Me . The same for you :)

 

[Ellie]

More than I'd like.

I've had years of being virtually asymptomatic, and years where I'm either barely...

Glad to hear you've had good times in the midst @Friday, wishing you many more

 

[Keming]

Symptoms vary wildly. At home: frequent forgetfulness, hypervigilance, mild anxiety. Outside: dissociation, panic attacks, flashbacks, freezing, getting lost, severe cognitive impairment, severe linguistic impairment, hearing loss. Not always. New meds have made simple interactions possible, as long as there's very, very little interaction w/ people, systems, or decision making.