Not Talking About Trauma

[Lost in the Woods]

I scored high on the PCL-5 test. The only negative answers had to do with violence.

 

[SjMel]

I like the latest PTSD research that shows the differences between men and women processing trauma. Women talking about it re-traumatizes us so it’s best to focus on our present and our strengths, while men don’t really heal until they can talk about it. I’m not surprised by your account at all. I believe most men don’t speak of such things for various reasons until much time has past. When they do talk about it they seem relieved but not until the right time.

I think it all depends. I am a woman and I need to talk about my trauma and face it and I also need to focus on my present and my strengths. But I'm a little different. This is probably true of many with a few exceptions.

 

[Ecdysis]

No I never suspected it. I have a neurological condition and for the last 24 years all my symptoms were attributed to that. A couple of years ago I had a freeze followed by intense adrenalin rush. That made me think panic attack which would be good since a psychological problem is easier to work on than a rotting brain. After all those years a therapist at my health care clinic spotted it and tested me. The great news is my neuro condition may actually be very mild and all the stuff that was ruining my life was actually PTSD.

I think I may be the reverse... I've been diagnosed PTSD since my 20s but suspect there may be other things going on too, like something neurological.

Do you feel comfortable sharing what types of neurological disorders may produce similar symptoms, without disclosing your private medical issues?

 

[Lost in the Woods]

Sure, I have Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 8. It was confirmed but genetic testing. It is generally thought of as a movement disorder but the most bothersome aspects have been the cognitive stuff which turned out to be PTSD. For almost 24 years I was told this was part of the condition and nothing could be done. Then someone noticed it really seemed like PTSD was involved so I was tested and it was confirmed. I am probably the only person ever who was thrilled with a PTSD diagnosis.

 

[Friday]

I am wondering if this is common. I never talked to anyone about the abuse in my childhood. It wasn’t that I was hiding it, the thought of talking about it never really dawned on me.

During my divorce I went on a walk with my oldest friend, and we ended up talking about aaaaaaaall kinds of things. And her response, over & over, was “Why didn’t I know this?!? How didn’t I know this?!?” When I have always told her eeeeeverything. Almost. I guess? Because it just reeeeeally never occurred to me to talk about my time in the military & after, with anyone who wasn’t there. It simply didn’t. That it came up during new-trauma (my ex was an abusive murdery asshat) makes sense, to me anyway (dealing with one hard thing opened Pandora’s box about other hard things), as well as to the few other people she touched base

Spoiler: My paraphrase of her paraphrase

Oh, yeah. You never talk about that. She talked about THAT with you?!? Really?!? Feel special. That doesn’t happen. Ever. So 10 years later is STILL there is something about you, that is… not normal. Or she’s f*cked up. You DO NOT talk about these things. With anyone. Ever. She reeeeally talked about that with you??? You didn’t like, read her diary or something shady? Get her high? She spoke, on purpose, to you, about THAT? Yah. That’s just not done. I’ve just lost mad respect for her. You don’t do that. Ever. To anyone. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. She was wrong to tell you. Kinda makes sense she did. But that is weird f*cking trust. I wouldn’t trust you that much. And I trust you more than anyone.

So it was a weird situation where things that are NOT talked about, were talked about.

Most of the people I know IRL with PTSD have that happen a couple/few times in their lives.

It’s just RARE as f*ck. And generally not done, on principle. If it’s ever actually thought of to do, one consciously decides not to.

So… cha. Not just childhood trauma, but trauma in general. Avoidance? Is a SYMPTOM, for a reason. It’s a very real thing.

 

[deno]

It highlights how healing isn’t a one-size-fits-all process. What works for one person could be harmful for another. It just goes to show that healing has to happen on your terms, in your way, at your time.