Sufferer Just Diagnosed With Ptsd. Caused By War!

[Albasoul]

Hello everyone,

This is not my first post here as I have opened a topic looking for help before going to my doctor. I have found this forum very helpful and I decided to share my story with you.

I am from Kosovo and 14 years ago we had a war and we lost a lot of people. I lost my sister. Serbs killed her and everyone of our family witnessed it. I was 10 years old and I cried but I was not so much scared. After the war I used to have nightmares during the night. Sometimes I would wake up and screaming. Every time on my dreams I would dream snakes, or a car hitting me or something like that, sometimes I didn't even know why I got scared as I couldn't remember my dream. I have ever slept good apart of these nightmares that were not so much, in my whole life there weren't more than 15.

Anyway back in 2009 I went abroad and while taking a coffee I felt dizzy, was my first panic attack and I was not scared as I didn't know what a hell was happening. I got dizzy and I felt all my body hot. I thought it was because of the coffee and a cigarette before having breakfast. Anyway I visited so many doctors and finally I went to a psychiatrist. He diagnosed me with GAD although I told him about the war and my sister. He was right diagnosing me with GAD as I never avoided the place, I never thought about my sister. Now 3 months ago I am having some intrusive thoughts about my sister. All the day I think about her in context of missing her. I dont have flashbacks, nightmares and I sleep perfectly. I function very well and I study but I am struggling too. Today I did a visit here in Italy and my psychiatrist told me that I have some symptoms of PTSD and we have to work on. I am taking Paroxetine now.

Could I be only a bit traumatized but not PTSD al all? Anyway we have to work on with my doctor.

Otherwise, I am happy for my life and I dont say it just to make myself happy, but I am really happy for my life although I have a bad past. I will never give up until I get as I used to be: ''normal''.

As I am new in the world of traumas, anxiety and PTSD in general. I have some questions hoping someone will answer:

Being in my position, can I work although I am traumatized?

If I decide to be a father, does it mean my children will have mental health problems, is this genetic?

Can I keep doing and working for my career or maybe I will never be ready to work?

All these questions can be answered by someone who is traumatized or with PTSD.

Thank you very much. I wish luck all of you. Sorry for my English.

 

[blackemerald1]

Welcome Albasoul, I am glad you have found this Forum to be helpful. PTSD is not genetic, do not concern yourself with any children getting PTSD. Just love them like a normal father does.

I am sorry you were in that war, I think you understate the impact these terrible events may have had on your mind, and now it is slowly coming out.

Yes, if you are well, anyone can work whilst having PTSD. I did for many years until it broke down. But you and your doctors are best at working that out. Also you can study if you are well.

PTSD takes many forms and symptoms, I hope others here on the Forum can help you too. Please if you can, read about PTSD on this site, it will tell you much about the condition.

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

Welcome to the forum. :)

 

[KP the nut]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

 

[Pinkcake]

Welcome. I am glad you are open to being treated for PTSD. I do not think PTSD is genetic. Just treat your child as normal as possible. I work full time with PTSD as well.

 

[Albasoul]

Thank you so much for your kind words, it really matters for me!

With no flashback, nightmare and physically well is not hard living with ptsd. I hope will never get worse. Anyway I feel a hero going through the war and not a victim!

Im happy and tomorrow a leave for Paris. ":) hello everyone.

 

[intothelight]

Hi Albasoul,

Welcome to the PTSD Forum! :)

You have a lot of really good questions and your concerns are very valid as this disorder can play havoc with self-confidence and dampen an individual's future outlook.

As far as research goes, PTSD is not genetic. It is actually caused by a body's normal response to abnormal circumstances. Many people with PTSD are able to work and find their careers rewarding and fulfilling. However, I would suggest that you read the article on the stress cup, as it is stress that can really make symptoms flair up.

[DLMURL]https://www.ptsdforum.org/c/threads/the-ptsd-cup-explanation.13737/[/DLMURL]

I hope you find the information and support here helpful as you work on healing.

Debbie

 

[Vin G]

Hi, these are complicated questions people are not all the same and their ability to cope with trauma is somewhat individual.

The best thing I think would be to get continual support. A parents behavior can effect their children. I have found that stress has been a major factor in my life dealing with ptsd. Learning how to deal with stress can go a long way to coping with issues.

The fact that memories and thoughts have occurred to you I think means that you are more able to deal with them now.

Group and individual therapy have helped me a great deal. Also any self-help groups you may find. Good luck !

 

[Albasoul]

Hello everyone,

Finally, after some visits with my doctor, came the final diagnose: GAD and not PTSD!

I kept thinking that I could have PTSD and the other doctor I had before was wrong but the true is that I have GAD and not PTSD. Is true I had a very bad experience in my past but it doesn't mean if you go through a traumatic event you will have PTSD. My doctor told me a person after trauma can have GAD too.

I still keep thinking of my sister dead because she was the most important person in my life,
I feel grief for her but now are less than before.

Thanks a lot from you, everyone. I wish you all the best.