Research Psych Class

[Whyteferret]

Definitely read other threads. There's a lot of them dealing with symptoms and reactions. You can tell by what's discussed a bit of what it's like.

Definitely include DSM V definition. You can use some of the replies as examples.
Keep our confidentiality. No names

You can use the response as a composite of what it's like but not as a definitive example, if you know what I mean.

All of us are different. We experience PTSD differently.

 

[7Cs]

1.What it’s like to live with the disorder? Do you feel that you are treated differently because of it? How so?

I think it's lonely and sometimes frightening.

Even though I'm married and have a family I find it hard to trust and connect with people. I feel very different from most people I know. My mood swings can be frightening.

What are your symptoms?

Before medication I had severe mood swings - I was initially diagnoses with Mood Disorder nos.
I derealize and depersonalize.
I believe I have minor "fragmentation" with intrusive thoughts and actions.
I have a slightly exaggerated startle response, nightmares and emotional flashbacks.
I'm sure there's more but those are my main symptoms.

3.When were you diagnosed and who decided to take you for diagnosis?

I was diagnosed in my mid twenties. I had been in therapy on and of since my early teens and continued into adulthood.

4.Are some days worse than others? If so, what are the causes?

My worst months are late fall through early spring, we've explored the possibility of sad component with this but for the most part I have have multiple traumas that time of year.... it's like and extended "traumaversary".

THroughout the rest of the year I can have worse days... sometimes due to a known trigger, sometimes apparently for no reason.

5.What have you done to cope with this disorder? (Therapy? Medication?- If so, specify what kind) What seemed to work best if anything at all?

I take lamictal and sometimes rispidal. I recently started take welbutrin.

I have been in therapy most of my life (I'm almost 40). I currently see my therapist once a week.

6.Are you treated different than others?

Not really.

7.What is the biggest struggle with this disorder?

The mood swings and emotional flashbacks are the hardest.
I'm afraid it will never go away.

8.Are you able to work and live a normal life with this disorder?

I struggle with working full time because I have a reduced tolerance to stress. I live an "apparently normal" life.


Good luck!

 

[FauxLiz]

LIke everyone else I agree, we are all different and experience this disorder differently. But I will try to answer your questions as best I can. I haven't started a trauma journal yet as it is very difficult for me to talk about my experiences that lead to this disorder.


1.What it’s like to live with the disorder? Do you feel that you are treated differently because of it? How so? For me it is a daily struggle, I work in a job that puts me in the front of the public every day which exacerbates my hypervigilence and causes panic attacks regularly. Am I treated differently because of it - no because I have not admitted my diagnosis to anyone outside of my healthcare team.

2.What are your symptoms? Flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilence, panic attacks, isolation, chronic pain, self loathing, suicidal ideation and self injury

3.When were you diagnosed and who decided to take you for diagnosis? I was formally diagnosed 5 years ago and I took myself to be diagnosed when I started having symptoms that were interfering with my work and daily life to the point I was thinking of ending everything.

4.Are some days worse than others? If so, what are the causes? Definitely, the more stress I am under or the closer it is to certain dates but the worst is being near certain places and sometimes I just can't avoid them.

5.What have you done to cope with this disorder? (Therapy? Medication?- If so, specify what kind) What seemed to work best if anything at all? I am in therapy twice a week and preparing for inpatient trauma treatment. I take several medications for anxiety, depression, nightmares, chronic pain, sleep disorders more than medications than most people in their 40's will ever take in their lifetime.

6.Are you treated different than others? By those that know I am not but again, I don't tell people about my diagnosis

7.What is the biggest struggle with this disorder? I blame myself for the traumatic events that have happened to me that caused this disorder

8.Are you able to work and live a normal life with this disorder? I am able to work but I wouldn't consider the life I live to be normal compared to most people I know. I don't socialize, I only leave the house for work, dr appts and absolutely necessary trips. I really don't have what people would call close friends and I have virtually no relationship with my immediate family. Simple things like going to the grocery store can trigger a panic attack and while I don't trust people I am also a horrible judge of other people when I have let myself enter into personal relationships either picking abusive partners or partners seeking to only use me for well you can imagine.

 

[Lullaby_Blue]

Hello Everyone! I am very sorry to budge into these forums but my job in my psychology class is t...

1) what's it like to live with ptsd? Are you treated differently?
A) it's very difficult. As a person who works and has to experience constant body memories and anxiety attacks its hard because you are only allowed so many sick days. Ptsd is a daily struggle.
B) for the people who know about the ptsd in my life yes I get treated differently. Sometimes it helps. Other times not .

2)what are your symptoms?
A) multiple symptoms. Sometimes panic attacks. Other times I have no idea why I feel violently sick so I'll and go to emergency and get sent home with no diagnosis. I get nausea and back pain and bathroom symptoms. Headaches and dissociation are common.

3) when were you diagnosed and how?
A) in January 2012. I had gone to the emergency room with severe nausea and back pain. After several amounts of morphine, the doctor asked if I had any trauma in my past and I said yes. He diagnosed me with ptsd and sent me on my way. No further help.

4)are some days worse than others? If so why?
A) yes. Sometimes I can be fine for months. Then other times, I am affected daily. I have noticed that most times it's a thought or smell or a trigger. Sometimes I know what the triggers are but not always. Sometimes what happens is that I will have no idea what is causing the symptoms to flare up.

5)what have I done to cope?
A) I have been on so many medications and have decided that I am better without them. I have been in councelling for over 10 years. I used to self harm. I used to deal with the eating disorders. I used to do a lot of unhealthy coping mechanisms. Music and art are BIG helpers. As is my faith.

6) are you treated differently than others?
A) refer to answer in question 1. (Yes)

7)what is the biggest struggle with ptsd?
A) work bosses and coworkers not understanding for one. But also for myself and how body memories and panic attacks me and ruins my day or sleep. I'll have insomnia or hypersonia.

8)are you able to work and have a normal life?
A) mostly. I held a job for 2 years as the longest one. A normal life is boring. My past experience with trauma will never let me be normal ever again. I can accept this. But I still struggle with life. I hold this quote close to heart "I don't just want to survive. But thrive and do it with heart."

 

[ShodokanJenn]

1.What it’s like to live with the disorder? Do you feel that you are treated differently because of it? How so?
I have frequent, daily flashbacks, and at night I have a lot of nightmares that wake me up. Frequent, extreme panic. I'm often very irritable. I struggle a lot with intimacy with my husband. I attend therapy weekly. I have frequent, unexplained physical symptoms, and an inadequate immune response which results in frequent infections. I isolate a lot, as I struggle to cope with normal human interaction. I often feel like a freak because of my symptoms. Most people who know me don't know about the PTSD; they think that the isolation and irritability are just part of my personality.

2.What are your symptoms?
Flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigalence, irritability, isolation, frequent unexplained physical symptoms, panic attacks that include racing heart, hyperventilation, sweating, shaking, and vomiting, inability to trust, difficulty with intimacy, intrusive thoughts, inability to concentrate, forgetfulness, dissociation

3.When were you diagnosed and who decided to take you for diagnosis?
I was diagnosed in 2011. My Pastor had been meeting with me for about a month, and felt I had it. He referred me to a therapist for diagnosis and treatment.

4.Are some days worse than others? If so, what are the causes?
Yes, some days are worse than others. Lack of sleep, anniversaries, stress, triggers - there are many things that can make a day worse than normal.

5.What have you done to cope with this disorder? (Therapy? Medication?- If so, specify what kind) What seemed to work best if anything at all?
I go to therapy weekly, do martial arts, practice mindfulness, utilize skills learned in DBT. I take medication as well - trazodone, olanzapine, venlafaxine, eszopiclone. The thing that has made the biggest difference is my involvement with martial arts and going to therapy with an excellent therapist.

6.Are you treated different than others?
I don't feel I am treated differently by most people; most people don't know about the PTSD. As long as it's for a limited amount of time, I am pretty good at hiding the symptoms.

7.What is the biggest struggle with this disorder?
The biggest struggle is sleep and socialization.

8.Are you able to work and live a normal life with this disorder?
I am unable to work. My husband supports us financially. I do some free lance photography, but it is not steady. I go to martial arts nearly every day. I am doing better now than I have for many years. I am planning on going back to school in the fall, to complete my psychology degree.