Poll Labels: Which Do You Like Better?

[Darkness Shines]

A poll based on the discussion we've been having over in "PTSD Relationships" about changing the terms used here on the forum.

 

[Tinyflame]

Is there anything anyone can think of other than 'survivor'?

 

[Nicolette]

Survivor: a person regarded as resilient or courageous enough to be able to overcome.
Supporter: (1) : to promote the interests or cause of (2) : to uphold or defend as valid or right : advocate <supports fair play>

 

[Marie E.]

I like the carer part, not suffer, but also like advocate or supporter. I'm kinda confused though!
Carer makes since though cause that seems an appropriate word and for the fact that I never heard of the word before coming on here and have read a lot on psychology.

I guess I would like the thought of - Survivor and Supporter if I could give my opinion.

 

[anthony]

But then here is the thing to the PTSD aspect which you are trying to change...

• do you survive trauma and get PTSD, or
• do you suffer trauma and get PTSD?

I believe the later is apt. Anything other, would be untrue. Whilst I survived through multiple operations, that was the easiest part compared to some of the things I suffered during it all.

I like the supporter part... the carer has always bothered me... as I feel it degrades both sides, being the sufferer needs care, which they can normally function all by themselves, and at the same time denoting someone, usually partner, as though they need to have a role over the person that isn't required. Then... there are a few where carer is apt... though I would think the majority would be more in a support role, not direct take care of me role.

So I chose none, as I like a bit of both.

Interesting though... nice post.

 

[Nicolette]

I like the supporter part... the carer has always bothered me... as I feel it degrades both sides, being the sufferer needs care, which they can normally function all by themselves, and at the same time denoting someone, usually partner, as though they need to have a role over the person that isn't required. .

Anthony has made a good point and I like Supporter. I have amended the poll to ask for other suggestions to be listed in the posts as per Junebug's question.

The only other terms for Sufferers I can think of is Recoverer, Wounded, Injured, Rejuvenate, Regenerate but I don't think any of these make good titles.

 

[Srain]

I like Supporter and Advocate ... I am supported by my Husband (heavily sometimes) and although I am surviving I also advocate for myself to get beyond the brutality of what has happened to me, that is not something that drs, therapists, and my husband can do for me, I have to be willing to show up for that.

I like Peer as well because I don't like being seen as different from society no matter my differences or disabilities. I know in the Mental Health community they have settled for the time being on being called "Consumers", I am not a personal fan of the label. I really think it's a personal preference.

 

[intothelight]

I heard the most interesting definition of PTSD, and of course I can't remember where, but it made the most sense to me.

"PTSD is a normal reaction to abnormal circumstances." (Source Unkown).

Survivor: a person regarded as resilient or courageous enough to be able to overcome.

Everyone here has survived those abnormal circumstances: war, sexual abuse, child abuse, horrific accidents, police actions, domestic violence, etc. At some point we have all stared death in the face and lived. You really don't get much stronger than that.

I have chosen to call myself a survivor, regardless of any other label, because it will take much courage and resilience to overcome the symptoms of PTSD. It cannot be cured, but it can be overcome to the point that we take back control of ourselves and our lives.

I've survived a lot and I will survive through this too.

Deb

 

[cherryblossom]

Interesting...

Whilst I understand that survivor sounds more positive, than sufferer, I just don't think it's an apt name to describe someone with PTSD. Yes, I survived my trauma, but I 'suffer' from PTSD. If this were a Trauma forum, then yes, I think we would be survivors (which is what 'we' are called on SSA), but it's a PTSD forum, and I 'suffer' from/with PTSD. I don't survive PTSD.
I don't think I've described that very well, but I know what I mean,

hehehe.....

As for carer/supporter... I like supporter. I think that is a better description and I think it opens the door a bit wider. I think of a carer as someone who lives with the person with PTSD, where as a supporter may be a close friend, or other relative. 'Carer', also sounds like someone who looks after someone, suggesting that people with PTSD need to be 'looked after', which suggests they are not capable of looking after themselves. Whilst that may be the case for some people, as a 'sufferer' I would feel much more positive about the term supporter, rather than carer. I don't have a carer. But I have plenty of 'supporters'.

 

[Froggie]

I just realized reading this post that I just couldn't refer to myself as a survivor nor a victime as I would feel too guilty as it would be the children that are the real victimes who must all suffer a very powerful and intense form of PTSD, I consider myself as a witness and a "scapegoat" (work and police) with collatoral dammage that caused PTSD. I really have an issue here as I have always refused to see myself as the victime ... I would always have an impression that the attention would be taken away from the true victimes (the children and adolescents) If I took on those titles ...

Yes I do think that the term survivor is more proactive than sufferer and that supporter gives an impression that the "other" is not handicapped and has moments when he\she is able to function

I'll vote now ... now that I've made this clear ...

 

[Lucycat]

I may have C-PTSD but I still like to think of myself as a survivor rather than a sufferer. With time, treatment and therapy the suffering part ( I hope) will diminish. But I will still have C-PTSD.

I guess what I mean is that survivor sounds to me like I have a more positive outlook, and that's how I'm feeling (today!)

 

[anthony]

I have closed this poll, as there is an official one with more depth than this one.

[DLMURL]http://www.ptsdforum.org/c/threads/ptsd-forum-naming-conventions-sufferer-carer-survivor-supporter-vote-now.15304/[/DLMURL]