Supporter I think ptsd is tearing my sister apart

[ConcernedBrother]

Hello All,

I found this website while googling info about the relationship between PTSD and nausea. And also between PTSD and chest pains.

My sister had an incident in the 90's that has left her with PTSD. During a somewhat recent argument with her, she suggested that I learn a little about it. Well, I have been trying to. And this site has been a wonderful resource.

For most of my life, my sister has been the closest person to me. I'm not sure that is the case anymore. It probably isn't. And I feel like PTSD has something to do with it. And it isn't just me... she eventually pushes everyone in her life away from her. There is a pattern.

My sis suffers from regular, recurring and extreme nausea. This has been going on for years. She's been to a million doctors to try and find the answer. None has. Last weekend, the nausea got bad enough that we went to the emergency room to replace fluids, etc. 2 weeks ago, it was a trip to the ER for chest pains. In both cases, the doctors found nothing. She left in tears, frustrated by not being able to get any answers.

I believe that PTSD is probably behind all of this. I want her to feel better, to not feel sick. I want her to stop pushing friends and family away. I want to help her, but I'm not sure how. I've already gotten help from this site, so now I've joined it in the hopes of finding more help.

Thanks for creating this wonderful resource!

 

[MaggieRose6117]

I'm also a supporter and just made my first post. I'm sorry to hear about your sister! So she's had all medical possibilities ruled out? It's quite possibly a psychosomatic thing due to PTSD but without a diagnosis probably impossible to confirm. Is she open to any kind of therapy? The guy I'm in love with absolutely isn't and said he's hurting the people in his life and wants to stop but isn't ready to go to therapy. He has also pushed everyone away. What has she said to you about the possibility of seeing someone? Or are you guys just not that close any more? Maybe you can encourage her to open up by buying her a nice dinner or something and being an ear for her. I've read that telling people to open up if they're not ready or up to it only backfires, so I guess it would need to come from her, but maybe giving her your full attention and some time might bring the two of your closer? It sound like you care for her a whole lot and would do anything to help her! :(

 

[Deleted member 37474]

Not realizing where my symptoms were coming from, my ptsd was hiding for 20 years. Just this fall, I had some major stressors and triggers that brought it all to the surface and got my dx of ptsd.
1. Just going to therapy for the first time is terrifying.
2. Once you are in therapy it is like taking an infected wound that has scabbed over and digging into it, picking and scraping til it is gushing and raw.
3. Isolating from the people you love has nothing to do with them. You feel edgy and on sensory overload, like your skin hurts. Every little unpredictable sound in the room is magnified and startling. Or you are in your head reliving your trauma and need to be alone to process it.
4. Talking about what happened can sometimes help, but only with the right person. I bounce stuff off of a great friend. She speaks back my cognitive distortions to me and explains the reality of the situation. However, I can't speak to my husband about it. His responses may make things worse. I love him, though. Plus, I don't want him to visualize what happened to me. He doesn't need that.

 

[LuckiLee]

Hi. Glad you found us. Lots of great people and information here!!

And yes, my guy wakes up nauseous, especially when his stress is elevated.

Your sister is lucky to have you!!

 

[NoWhereKnowWhere]

Welcome to the forums.

If she isn't already encourage her to see a trauma therapist.