Anyone here with PTSD studying philosophy? I can see it being both good and bad; but ever since I have had PTSD, subjects like trusting people seem almost like philosophical dilemmas. For example, are people inherently good, or why do bad things happen to good people; are common questions for PTSD sufferers to ask. Instead of putting my head through emotionally exausting thought cycles like I used to; I started to approach these questions scientifically.
Existentialist philosophers like Sartre, and Nietzsche; have some pretty harsh criticisms against society. Sartre had his issues with the way people in France perceived him at the time of his fame; the gossip, lies, and criticism eventually drove him to write a book describing Hell to be in the form of the people around him. Nietzsche's issues with society had a lot to do with hippocrisy and the average persons inherent hunger for power over others. Eventually he became a recluse and maintained a lonely relationship with a horse he saved from his abusive master.
I wouldnt reccomend these philosophers to those who are in some early stages of PTSD; for it truly did affect the way I saw people. I found myself becoming suspicious of friends and family members; I really just wasnt doing enough research. From what ive read, I feel like both Sartre and Nietzsche described modern society's condition; that it is a cold dark place not soo much governed by ethics but by principles of blatant self interest, projection of universal insecurities, greed and consumption, etc. How to prepare ourselves for these sort of trials I found more in post-modern philosophy
At the moment I am currently trying to regain my sense of safety around others, not by trusting anyone that seems nice but by being more assertive. I feel a great need to assert my individuality around others, just to let them know that I cannot be taken advantage of. Lately I have been asserting my right to just simply be assertive; for I have been wronged by people in the past too many times while being blamed for it. Its not high school anymore, so any of that sort of bullying can constitute jail time for some individuals; but other byproducts of that social life become very apparent in the adult world. Insults are more diplomatic and charming, I guess politically correct? Manipulation is now redefined in a world of finances, marriages, careers, etc. Freedom now is something that has to be earned with hard work, not by making ones bed in the morning and doing daily chores.
Theres soo much that has to be secured in the real world, it almost feels like its hard to survive and stay a good person all at the same time. Furthermore, we have to protect ourselves that want to threaten our freedom for their own personal gain; they are in a sense surviving too. Well, we cant all be at eachothers heads and also expect to get along; but this game of life can be easier for the more privelaged people who have gained their status with hard work and support from their peers.
For the rest of us, well we got alot of fighting to do before we can be accepted into society again; atleast thats how I feel. Pragmatic theory is one of those things that helped me fish out people that are worth of my time. No PTSD sufferer wants a supporter that merely wants to feel better than the sufferer with sarcastic condescendence. Those sorts of people would be considered "Strategic communicators" who do not want to exchange ideas but merely want to use words to satisfy a self interest (insecurity?). A "Pragmatic communicator" will communicate with you for practical reasons, to exchange ideas in a way that both parties will be happy at the end of the conversation. If everyone in this world was a pragmatic communicator; I do not think this forum would ever have to exist, unfortunately thats not the world we live in, but it can be our responsibility to make it better.
I feel like I can write more but then I wouldnt be making my point. Im just wondering if anyone is using philosophy to fight their PTSD. It seems to be working for me in theory, I just cant seem to relate to the people in my viscinity because its a low income area and people are usually offended by philosophy here. I feel like I am bigger than my illness because of what I have been feeding my mind. Study Immanuel Kant, gave me more confidence about whats right and whats wrong. Lyotard gave me more confidence in my ability to have real and completely mutual relationships. Sartre gave me the confidence to assert the identity that I believe in. Nietzsche helped me understand the way of the world by teaching me about Power.
I feel that this could greatly help individuals that do not merely want to tolerate their illness but overcome it. I do not however, suggest this venture for everyone for it wasnt easy for me to digest everything that I was learning. Just my 2 cents.
Existentialist philosophers like Sartre, and Nietzsche; have some pretty harsh criticisms against society. Sartre had his issues with the way people in France perceived him at the time of his fame; the gossip, lies, and criticism eventually drove him to write a book describing Hell to be in the form of the people around him. Nietzsche's issues with society had a lot to do with hippocrisy and the average persons inherent hunger for power over others. Eventually he became a recluse and maintained a lonely relationship with a horse he saved from his abusive master.
I wouldnt reccomend these philosophers to those who are in some early stages of PTSD; for it truly did affect the way I saw people. I found myself becoming suspicious of friends and family members; I really just wasnt doing enough research. From what ive read, I feel like both Sartre and Nietzsche described modern society's condition; that it is a cold dark place not soo much governed by ethics but by principles of blatant self interest, projection of universal insecurities, greed and consumption, etc. How to prepare ourselves for these sort of trials I found more in post-modern philosophy
At the moment I am currently trying to regain my sense of safety around others, not by trusting anyone that seems nice but by being more assertive. I feel a great need to assert my individuality around others, just to let them know that I cannot be taken advantage of. Lately I have been asserting my right to just simply be assertive; for I have been wronged by people in the past too many times while being blamed for it. Its not high school anymore, so any of that sort of bullying can constitute jail time for some individuals; but other byproducts of that social life become very apparent in the adult world. Insults are more diplomatic and charming, I guess politically correct? Manipulation is now redefined in a world of finances, marriages, careers, etc. Freedom now is something that has to be earned with hard work, not by making ones bed in the morning and doing daily chores.
Theres soo much that has to be secured in the real world, it almost feels like its hard to survive and stay a good person all at the same time. Furthermore, we have to protect ourselves that want to threaten our freedom for their own personal gain; they are in a sense surviving too. Well, we cant all be at eachothers heads and also expect to get along; but this game of life can be easier for the more privelaged people who have gained their status with hard work and support from their peers.
For the rest of us, well we got alot of fighting to do before we can be accepted into society again; atleast thats how I feel. Pragmatic theory is one of those things that helped me fish out people that are worth of my time. No PTSD sufferer wants a supporter that merely wants to feel better than the sufferer with sarcastic condescendence. Those sorts of people would be considered "Strategic communicators" who do not want to exchange ideas but merely want to use words to satisfy a self interest (insecurity?). A "Pragmatic communicator" will communicate with you for practical reasons, to exchange ideas in a way that both parties will be happy at the end of the conversation. If everyone in this world was a pragmatic communicator; I do not think this forum would ever have to exist, unfortunately thats not the world we live in, but it can be our responsibility to make it better.
I feel like I can write more but then I wouldnt be making my point. Im just wondering if anyone is using philosophy to fight their PTSD. It seems to be working for me in theory, I just cant seem to relate to the people in my viscinity because its a low income area and people are usually offended by philosophy here. I feel like I am bigger than my illness because of what I have been feeding my mind. Study Immanuel Kant, gave me more confidence about whats right and whats wrong. Lyotard gave me more confidence in my ability to have real and completely mutual relationships. Sartre gave me the confidence to assert the identity that I believe in. Nietzsche helped me understand the way of the world by teaching me about Power.
I feel that this could greatly help individuals that do not merely want to tolerate their illness but overcome it. I do not however, suggest this venture for everyone for it wasnt easy for me to digest everything that I was learning. Just my 2 cents.
