Is PTSD a Label?

[Deleted member 487]

I don't care for the label the community places on me when they hear of my PTSD.

 

[anthony]

Is PTSD a label? Well, for me it was an answer, as I remember pre-PTSD me. I don't believe it was a negative label... more I took it as an answer to what the hell was wrong with me, as I just never used to be that way when uncontrolled PTSD was present within me. I can sit here and pretty much see me before, the signs during as a result of each deployment I went upon, then the breaking point, the meltdown points, the total collapse of my will to live, then the time when I had had enough of feeling that shit and went for broke.... learnt everything I could about trauma, PTSD, healing, medications, etc etc.... went for thorough experience based learning from other soldiers, counsellors, physicians, scientific studies, etc etc.... and I got the hell on top of the worst of what PTSD has to offer.

I also don't just outright tell people I have PTSD, though I also don't have an issue with telling them if I require them to know, or they require to know. It just doesn't bother me...

What bothers me more nowadays I guess, is that people have this perception of PTSD, those who have experience being around someone at the worst, then they meet me and say things like, "you don't have PTSD" or the like, because I look normal, act pretty normal, do normal things... though they don't really see the management side of myself... how I expose myself to society for a certain time, then when I hit my limits I go home to rest and chill out. I think I find that more offensive these days than someone jumping back if I say I have PTSD... ironic maybe!!!

Good topic Bec.

 

[Marlene]

I don't think of it as a label. It's my diagnosis. But at the same time, it's such an integral part of me now. OK...has been since childhood. Just not to the same level as the last two years.

I've gotten very sensitive, for lack of a better word, to myself and my symptoms. I can feel symptoms coming on and, for the most part, head them off. Sometimes I'm still blind-sided and have to deal with the aftermath. I guess that's the management end of this thing.

I also don't just outright tell people I have PTSD, though I also don't have an issue with telling them if I require them to know, or they require to know. It just doesn't bother me...

I hadn't realized that I'm feeling the same way until I read this statement and it clicked. I recently told a friend, via email, about my PTSD. I've not heard from her since. Before I would have been very upsest and wondering if I scared her off, if I should have kept it to myself, etc. Now I figure...she asked and I answered. I have to deal with PTSD daily and manage it daily. If I can handle the heavy-lifting end (so to speak) of this equation then the light stuff of just knowing should be no problem. Should be.

I'm not sure if it's becoming used to having PTSD in my life. Or if it's finding a name for all of the 'crazy' stuff in my life or what. Or maybe it's getting used to having all sorts of family mental health issues (mom has anxiety problems, brother has PTSD and bi-polar, me with PTSD). Whatever it is, I've reached my F'it point with other people. This is my life...like it or lump it. Label me or not. I really don't care anymore.

Lisa

 

[Deleted member 487]

Anthony if I was in better health I would write more descriptively. Right now a 'tater sack of horse manure has better communication skills/capabilities than I.

 

[nic]

Yes, it is a label. I don't mind the label, however, as I recognize that I do have PTSD. What does bother me is when that label is used against me to diminish my individuality.

 

[anthony]

We all have those moments CJ.... just work through them mate and know that the realistic outcome is that you will come out of it.

 

[Deleted member 487]

Thank you Anthony. One thing to think about is Hollywood. This is very similar to my other impairments. The basics behind the imaging issue is see-think-feel.
They see you have an impairment.
They think they know something about it, then judge you based on those thoughts, no matter how inaccurate.
Then they express feelings based on the previous two, again no matter the inaccuracy.

Let me try to use PTSD as an example. Now before I start, I have discussed this with others in the past, and most of the time they are thankful for the enlightenment, and rarely are they more fearful.

1. Someone sees you have a problem. They find out it's PTSD.
2. They think about this, even though a mere millisecond, and unless they are professionally schooled or have first-hand experience with it, odds are they will recall the images they got from society's most vocal source of info on such ailments- Hollywood.
3. Recalling the images gained via Hollywood, violence, victimization, crime, pain, horror, they begin to "feel" fearful.
4. Odds are nothing has even happened in real life between the PTSD victim (like you or I) and the person now fearful.

Ignorance is clearly the worst issue here. And sadly enough, I found this problem exists with PTSD as much as with Traumatic Brain Injury. So Anthony, if I have misjudged PTSD by this comparison, it's not intentional. Instead only what I have gathered from my experience with both TBI and PTSD.

I know if my physical health was better than it is now I would be more capable of writing this out better.