Sufferer I Thought I Better Introduce Myself

[Barconian]

I joined this forum a few days ago. I now know where the post new thread button is. Have read many of the posts on here and find this all very interesting to me.

About 10 years ago, I was diagnosed with PTSD by a Psychiatrist who used a style of EMDR. Using the eye movement therapy, the image I had, over time, broke into fragments which then the fragments would slowly disappear pieces at a time over about 3 months! The flashbacks and nightmares went away!

After many years of being constantly distressed, left me with anxiety and depression issues which can't be fixed by Eye movement therapy. Only with an awful lot of hard work (emotionally) and understanding can that be resolved and that is what I do.

Hello every body :)

 

[jd9900]

This....Wow. You have no idea how much I can relate to this.

I went through that process as well. It was actually combined with another process - forgive me for not remembering what it was, I will likely research it tonight.

I found a very similar result to what you described. The fears and terrors I was experiencing were traced back to what I can best describe as a "root cause." The thing that truly began this disorder.

In the years that have followed, I am starting to realize - I am just stuck with this thing, in many ways. Even though I "released" my initial issue, I am now prone to these triggers.

Just recently I had made strong progress and thought I found the peace I was looking for. It turned out I inadvertently invited more, not less, chaos into my life. It triggered a major episode which eventually led me here to this forum, thankfully.

I'm really starting to believe, for me at least, I just need to live with this and stop fighting it so much. When the triggers hit, it is okay for me to be afraid. After that fight or flight instinct wears off, it is then time for me to remember the things I have learned.

Am I safe right now, I ask? Yes. Is my family safe? Yes. Can I do anything more, (this is key), RATIONAL to protect me or the ones I love? If that answer is no, I immediately drop whatever is in my hand (usually anything I can find that will serve as a weapon), go back to my...higher brain functions, and remember that I am the master of my domain.

I may always have this reaction but after I react I have options. Sane options. I basically just try to hold onto that (it is like holding onto a thread as you are falling off a cliff for me.)

I am glad you are here. The more of us willing to talk, I think, means the more of us not just willing, but able to get better.

 

[Barconian]

As I identify triggers, jd... I can catch them as they come back and I become less prone to them!

You have a positive attitude towards this subject I see... Nice!

 

[jd9900]

I am getting better every day. My last trigger only took 4 months to get out of hand. :) And even in that, there were many other factors than my PTSD that played a part. So yeah, I am learning every day.

 

[Barconian]

Does that mean your trigger popped up after 4 months and you didn't catch it in time, when it did, due to other factors adding to it?

 

[intothelight]

Welcome to the forum!