Ptsd And Religion

[daniel]

I was raised as a christian orthodox. When I had bad symptoms I used to question why, so I started investigating. In the end I landed at Hinduism, a certain philosophy called Advaita Vedanta. It's not a cult or something like that :). It's actually what I believe reality to be, it matches my personal attitude (is this the right English word lol? :D)

xo

 

[Kris1984]

Hi Angus,

I am a Christian and I have PTSD. I struggle everyday with just having to live with my own mind. That sounds weird to most people I know but I am sure the people here can understand what it feels like to hate the way you think, perceive things, cope, etc. With all the things I have been through it would be easy for me to turn my back on God, it would even almost make sense. But on days that I have no hope, God is often all I have left. I could not imagine not having that. When I think back on my life and my experiences I try to remind myself that I would never understand happiness if I had not suffered and that regardless of how debilitating PTSD is, I am still a better person because I came through the other side alive.

I am not criticizing anyone else's beliefs, I am just trying to answer the original poster's question.

 

[Arctic]

Nicolette hit it on the head with her post.

I served in ministry 4x/week before my trauma, I can barely make it through a service now, if I make it at all. Where is He in all this trauma, this whole mess. I can't see it. For now, it is so overwhelming dealing with my own brain, adding another aspect to it, is beyond what I can handle right now. I know He is there, I just still have the practical day to day overwhelming symptons to deal with right now, that that is all I can handle in my own life.. Turned my back, probably yes. I'll turn around again one day, its just not today.

 

[Rene']

Hi Angus,
Though we as PTSD sufferers have a lot in common, each person will find their own individual way to do the work that it takes to heal. It may not be that your wife has lost faith but rather that she just needs time to figure things out and where her faith is going to fit into the healing process.

I am non denominational and my parents are as well -but they rather to the point of being more extreme. I cannot even have a discussion with them about the trauma or the PTSD diagnosis. Their response is just to give it to God and pray about it and everything will be fine.

Praying is good but this alone -from my experience- isn't going to instantly cure the PTSD.

There is no reason that you cannot continue to pray and have enough faith for both you and your wife but, more than anything, she needs someone who can understand what she is going through and someone who will be supportive in the healing process.

This is a journey... Walk with her when she can stand and carry her when she feels like the road is to tough and to long to journey down it. Keep your faith and it will be there for your entire family.

<inserted paragraph line breaks: Nicolette>