Is PTSD a Label?

[becvan]

I have noticed that a few members have gotten extremely touchy over PTSD as a "label" as of late. For some reason this is touching a nerve in some people.

So do you feel it's a label? If it is a label to you why? If not, why? Is it detrimental to you or otherwise?

My answer to these questions is that PTSD is not a label. It isn't one to me because I've had this for so long. I don't have a "before" PTSD. PTSD is the only thing I have known. For me, being called crazy was a label. Being told I have PTSD, the disorder was a relief. It still is. I know I'm not crazy now. I know what is wrong. I know that I can work to manage it. I also don't consider PTSD to define me. I have it, I will have it till I die. I'm okay with that. To me it's just something I have to accept and work with. However it doesn't define me. It's only one of many things that define me. I am also a mother, a woman, a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a college grad, a Social Service Worker, an artist.. etc.

So .. what are your answers?

bec

 

[upstream]

PTSD is a label, but I dont' believe it's a negative label. Is that what you're asking? Is PTSD a negative, neutral, or positive label?

I actually wanted the diagnosis of PTSD, because the world would then make sense and my bad childhood would no longer feel like my fault.

I beleive that "Mentally Ill" is an incorrect and negative label for PTSD. Other negative labels to me are "messed up" "screwed up" "****ed in the head" "damaged" "crazy" "emo" "psycho" "nuts" "schizo" ... I could probably think of a few more with time.

 

[becvan]

I am asking for each personal opinion on it, upstream. What ever you feel and think about it is the correct answer. There are no wrong answers in this.

bec

 

[upstream]

Fair enough, thanks bec

 

[Roo]

...PTSD is not a label. It isn't one to me because I've had this for so long. I don't have a "before" PTSD. PTSD is the only thing I have known. For me, being called crazy was a label. Being told I have PTSD, the disorder was a relief. It still is. I know I'm not crazy now. I know what is wrong. I know that I can work to manage it. I also don't consider PTSD to define me. I have it, I will have it till I die. I'm okay with that. To me it's just something I have to accept and work with. However it doesn't define me. It's only one of many things that define me. I am also a mother, a woman, a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a college grad, a Social Service Worker, an artist.. etc.

Amen to every single word here, Bec. :occasion:

 

[spiritofnow]

PTSD for me is just intellectual terminology to highlight how my mind and body have reacted to supressed trauma.

Now I have an understading of this I am working on the route cause. PTSD is not my priority any longer.

I will not be be entering into a relationship wearing a badge that says 'hi my name is Spirit and by the way I have PTSD, just so you know'! When and if I meet someone I will divulge that I have had a traumamtic past that I have had therapy for. I may express how I was diagnosed with PTSD at the time due to my supressed emotions over the trauma. I DO NOT FEEL I SHOULD WEAR A HEALTH WARNING for future relationships. I guess this is how I have perceived certain information on here. I do not need to to fill out a risk assessment questionnaire on behalf of any future relationships. I will not be getting into a relationship unitl I can offer the best of me anyway!

I am in therapy to undo all of this. I am in therapy to heal my trauma and any other secondary issues. I am in therapy to learn how to live in a fucntional manner. I am in therapy to live independently of any labels. I am in therapy to heal my wounds. I am in therapy to learn all of the skills that I have not been taught due to my childhood difficulties in order to learn what are appropriate behaviour's and attitudes.

I do not intend on repeating any of the dysfunctional behaviors, coping mechanisms that have been brought about by my past. I am doing this to live as I should of always been! I can already see this happening.

I will communicate openly and honestly.

Spirit x

 

[spiritofnow]

I can see the positives of receiving a diagnoses of PTSD. It gives each person a point of reference concerning why they have felt and behaved in certain ways. It gives each person an understanding of how their mind and body have acted in response to their life experiences.

I feel it is negative to believe that you are never free of PTSD, even if that is described as managing it (I will always manage my life, just as anyone does). It does not feel like that for me and I have probably only been working on myself for 2 years (a year of self-therapy-starting to live in the world, asking myself pertinent questions, looking for answers, and a year of actual therapy, CBT and most recently intergrative psychotherpay, and acceptance of how I have been affected). However, I still feel that my behaviours and feelings have ultimately been directed by my traumas and neglect as a child and young adult.

Spirit x

 

[upstream]

I will not be be entering into a relationship wearing a badge that says 'hi my name is Spirit and by the way I have PTSD, just so you know'! When and if I meet someone I will divulge that I have had a traumamtic past that I have had therapy for. I may express how I was diagnosed with PTSD at the time due to my supressed emotions over the trauma. I DO NOT FEEL I SHOULD WEAR A HEALTH WARNING for future relationships.

I loved this spirit!!! :clap:

 

[spiritofnow]

You loved my spirit :wink:

Thanks Upstream, it is nice to have your support and apreciation.

Spirit x :occasion:

 

[becvan]

Spirit, I have a question or two for you. Hope you don't mind.

Why do you perceive my belief that my PTSD is lifelong as offensive? Are you somehow perceiving this to mean that I am right and you are wrong? Or that you have to conform to some one else's beliefs? I feel something is driving such a strong reaction from you. Perhaps exploring this will help you accept your own beliefs.

I hope you do realize that what you believe is your truth. If that is how you see PTSD and how you deal with it, what could be wrong with that? Your not denying it, you just deal with it in your way. What is so threatening about other peoples views on this?

bec

 

[spiritofnow]

No problem with the questions, expoloration is my forte :-)

I am not diminishing anyone else's perception of how PTSD affects them or feels for and to them. I was not necessarily responding to anyones elses point of view on this thread I am just asserting my beliefs. As you rightly pointed out my truths are exactly that, mine!

However, even though I am a member of a forum that underlines the concept of PTSD as being incurable and that PTSD'ers are lifers. I still find that aspect a challenge. It is not something I am afraid to have challneged in me and I have researched this and asked questions to medical professionals in terms of finding my own truths.

Why do I feel strongly?

For me it feels unhealthy to always assume the position of someone who has a reason for their behaviour. Behaviour is learned and can be altered! I guess I see it as a crutch or perhaps as a way to legitimise certain behaviours. PTSD sypmtoms do not excuse any behaviour as I am sure you are more than aware! PTSD as I said above just gives the sufferer and anyone else a point of reference in terms of how their body has reacted to supressed emotions. I feel that it is unlocking these that is key in letting go of the PTSD label and not the other way round! I don't think we shoud get so fixated on just undestanding the complexities of PTSD and accepting it! I feel we should look at they why's and how's in order to really free ourselves.

Why so strongly.......hmmmmmmm, honestly, believing that I will have a life that co-exists with PTSD is not good, for me. I am healing.......I will not be left with PTSD, it is symptomatic of my traumas.

It just makes sense to me. My behaviour is already changing and I do not feel at the mercy of the symptoms of PTSD, just the reaction to a very difficult life up until now. My reaction to that is changing and my behaviours and attittudes go hand in hand with that progress.

You said ' you are not denying it, you just deal with it in your way' yep I do. But I also know that once I have healed my traumas I will not class myself as someone with PTSD, I will be healed of my traumas and the secondary issues connected with them. I am not a PTSD lifer, I don't think anyone should readily buy into that!

I create my reality! My reality is not what I am told it will be!

I hope that has answered your queries?

Spirit x

 

[Grama-Herc]

I hope this is not taken the wrong way, but IMHO, PTSD is not any more of a label than cancer, diabetis, or arthritis.

This is not a label. It is an illness. Pure and simple. Where it came from or whatever form it takes, it is still just an illness. So how could it be a label.

I agree with what one response was. Hi my name is Grama Herc and by the way, I have arthritis. That is silly. No one introduces themselves that way! So why would you do it with PTSD and call it a label. It is a condition