How Treatable Is Ptsd?

[Mach123]

I want to say yes because I am so much better and I want to give hope to anyone who is suffering. I do think it may be trauma/individual dependent but I am not sure. I had repressed memories of CSA plus my violent alcoholic parents and ended up with cptsd. I believe now however that not knowing was the key at least in my case.

Once I knew, and it took me a couple years to actually believe what I (and others) were trying to tell me, things started to fall into place. I began to be able to do things and to act in ways I never could have imagined because all I ever did in my whole life was get triggered and have episodes and I did not know it.

I wasted years and years in AA trying to figure out why I didn't have a "life second to none" and why "these promises were not being fulfilled quickly or slowly" in me. (don't get me started on 12 steps I am a rabid opponent) Nothing ever worked, not even close and I finally was really in despair of ever making any improvements at all (I'm talking suicidal here) and then one day a miracle happened and a woman said to me "what you're talking about is trauma."

Then I started to get better. Yes I believe in medication in cases where it's appropriate, and yes, you need a trauma therapist.

Thanks for the thread, I have to go to therapy now!

 

[The Albatross]

So far as rethinking therapy for treatment... I had to ask myself, what alternatives are there right now and what are the consequences if I am wrong. When it all comes down to it I do what's available so as to limit unwanted consequences, just sayin.

 

[anthony]

Thats about the size of things... try everything available to you and see what works.

 

[Sweet_E]

Well I might say it is 'manageable' over 'treatable.'

I don't like comparing physical diseases...

Though not common, I know cases of people, one whom I know personally, with Diabetes who were able able to stop taking their insulin under a doctor's supervision. The mind and body has so much potential that we don't even know about. Also, it's a proven fact that what we tell people about their prognosis can have a direct impact on how they will progress. It's called the placebo effect. And even how the doctor explains how a medication will work, can have a direct effect on the efficacy of that medication.

On top of all this, I have seen such dramatic improvement with my own PTSD that I really believe I can get pretty darn close to cured. I don't limit myself to what American Psychology has to say about this, because the topic is very new to them, and this particular system just has not found a "cure" at this point in time. That doesn't mean that it can't be cured.

I was told that the Major Depressive Disorder I had been diagnosed with was not curable. Back when I was diagnosed with MDD, PTSD wasn't as widely recognized, so perhaps the MDD was even a misdiagnosis. I have not had a major depressive episode in over 10 years. I believe, although I might have a predisposition to MDD, I am pretty much as good as cured from MDD because now I do things that prevent it from developing and those things feel like second nature now. I believe the same could happen with the PTSD.

On the other hand, there may be other people, who for whatever reason, it is not part of their path to seek that sort of healing. And I believe that these people can find meaning in their own path. I leave it up to the individual to do their own research and listen to their intuition and try whatever paths that feel right to them.

For me, because I believe my path is to seek as close to total recovery as possible, I try not to waste my time with resources that say there is no cure. It does not give me confidence in that resource and does not make me feel good about where I going, if I happen to be having a rough moment or I'm in a flashback where I'm already prone to negativity.

 

[Sweet_E]

So far as rethinking therapy for treatment... I had to ask myself, what alternatives are there rig...

Fair game. What I'm getting at though is that he says a lot of things as though they are fact, when t...

Sometimes you have to take things therapists say with a grain of salt, especially if you are getting benefit from the treatment. My own long term therapist, I've decided that she is not the best with the PTSD stuff, but it really helps when I talk to her about the normal day to day stuff. I find her to be really supportive in general and try to seek her for when I need the stuff she is good at. My Psychiatrist gave me the name of someone who actually specialized in trauma, so I will keep that in mind too.

Some people might find the assumption about the permanent brain damage as comforting? Maybe they feel like it gives them permission to accept where they are and it's not their fault. Or maybe that assumption helps motivate people to hone their coping skills? Your therapist might not necessarily be bad. Maybe there is some stuff that you doubt about your therapist, but there might be other stuff that your therapist does that is really helpful. I have to keep reminding myself that they are human too. It's tough for me because trust is such an issue because of not being able to count on the protection of grown ups as a child, when my trauma occurred.

 

[Sweet_E]

How treatable? Extremely. To the point that the entire goal of therapy is getting someone to a point whe...

The diabetes and pregnancy is a really good example and points to some things that are missing in my responses. I'm very pro-"it's curable" but I think we also need to have wisdom and know what is a risk for us. One thing I'm thinking for myself, even *WHEN* (positive thinking) I do recover fully, is I will always need to prioritize self-care. It would not be wise for me to be a type A, burn the candle at both ends type of person.

 

[Lee2001]

@Sweet_E That is so helpful and eye opening. I think you make a lot of good points about this and gives me a more open mind about treatment. Thank you so much. I also get what you mean about therapist being better in certain areas etc. I am noticing this with mine. I do truly like how you and others have said to take into account how much you yourself believe you can recover. I like that.

 

[katz]

I remember being told, when they stopped my therapy, that I had too many issues going back over too many...

I went to a 4 week class at a "woman's rescue center" After the class, the lady told me that "they can't help me"--and then just sent me on my way.
I was so upset that I cried in the car for over an hour.

 

[One step at a time]

For me the neurological theories about the causes of PTSD are not involved in my healing. For me, so much depended on finding someone I could really trust, talk to, and work with.

This person just told me, "the trauma is not okay and never will be. It was part of your life, and it won't go away. But you will be okay someday." And I think they are right. I am committing to living as fully as I can. With help, I am facing the memories that cause me fear and pain. I am becoming more able to cope. My dissociation is becoming less frequent/constant and less intense. I think PTSD is not curable, but it is treatable/manageable. I have hope.

 

[Lee2001]

@One step at a time. I truly love that statement about the trauma will always be part of life and isn't ok, but we will be ok. That is so encouraging and helps me with this. I have been thinking lately how will this get better. It's not like the memories or trauma will go away! But we will learn how to live with it even though it will always be a part of life. Thank you for sharing that.

 

[Gs172003]

I want to say yes because I am so much better and I want to give hope to anyone who is suffering. I do...

Exactly. This is the first time I feel like things are actually WORKING

 

[estelle beninson]

I have been diagnosed with complex ptsd and havent been cured and the events happened forty years ago. Id say you have to be able to discuss what
happened to traumatise you with a therapist who firstly accepts you have ptsd, and these therapists are sometimes not easy to find.
2. be able to go other the events wwith a therapist who you feel safe with and who doesnt rubbish what you say, or doesnt disbelieve you. I am pretty sure that you need to be able to talk about it or share the experience with others who have gone through a similar event, but you need to feel safe to do this.

I find person centred counselling helps more than any other therapy, because I feel supported
and my point of view is accepted. I and others have had a bad experience with a therapist
with therapists who dont accept you have ptsd or who believe you shouldnt talk about it.

Im not recommending this, but just for interest, some psychiatrists are using medicinal cannabis or
E to put the client in a relaxed mood to go over the events, but maybe you can find other ways of
relaxing so you can go over the events. Estelle