Sufferer I Guess It's Time To Say Hello

[JEKBreatheandBelieve]

After a month and a half, I guess it is time that I introduce myself. About a year ago I was diagnosed with PTSD after a serious (but luckily not physically fatal to anyone) car accident with my brother and husband. About 4 months into therapy, my therapist and I realized there was more trauma in my history. At first we thought it might be my sensitive nature, but we went further on the path. We realized I had repressed childhood traumas and DID. So now I have been diagnosed with complex PTSD and DID. I don't think you have to have the complex in front of PTSD to know that PTSD is complex by nature. This has been a whole new world for me which has taken me by surprise.

I teach elementary students and last year I had a child with PTSD and I totally did not understand her. Funny, because I was actually experiencing PTSD symptoms at the time, but didn't recognize it in myself. Now, I understand a whole lot more about that student and am so glad I dealt compassionately with her (most of the time for we're all human). I also balance work with raising two young boys of my own and am very grateful that my husband is very supportive. Now I am just struggling to find the right path in life for me and even those it's been a year since I was diagnosed, I am just beginning to be explore some real helping strategies. This site has been a wonderful starting point for me so far.

 

[intothelight]

@JEKBreatheandBelieve

I found that when I was first diagnosed, it was a relief to finally have a "name" to what was wrong, but also a bit of a shock of "what now?". This site has a lot of information about PTSD and it is good to read and learn all that you can. Sometimes all of the tools, therapies can be a bit overwhelming, but think about what might work for you and try some. I found that some things fit into my life and my own personality better than others and when I really used them there was a lot of benefit.

The support here is also really beneficial. This is a place where people really do understand the struggles and can be a great source of encouragement. I hope you find this a healing place.

Debbie

 

[BigBear]

Hi! We are glad you are here.

I hope you can get your Husband interested in the forum. It will do him a world of good. I know that it did me.

Bear

PS: @angel2write is my wife.

 

[JEKBreatheandBelieve]

@BigBear - That is cool that you and your wife are on here. I was thinking this site could help him, but I don't really know if I want him knowing what I write. It's a thought though.

 

[angel2write]

I understand about feeling like you might not want him to know everything you write.

Maybe not share your screen name with him?

I was nervous about it for a long time. But Bear has always been good about giving me my space & not snooping. After a while, I got comfortable with it. And it was a HUGE help for him.

 

[JEKBreatheandBelieve]

@angel2write - Thanks for sharing your experience. I will consider it. I think he already knows my screen name though.