Ptsd cured?

[Suzetig]

Actually there's evidence to say that the vast majority of people who develop PTSD do go on to completely recover - as in aren't symptomatic over an extended period of time and a lot of people do that without therapy.

Bearing in mind PTSD is actually a pretty wide diagnosis and people will be impacted to a greater or lesser degree, early exposure to trauma, existing attachment relationships, pre-existing networks and coping strategies all influence the course of the disorder but it's a relatively rare thing for it to be a life long, chronic condition. There are factors which complicate recovery, long term, repeated exposure to trauma, sexual trauma, interpersonal trauma etc but many people recover with no recurring symptoms.

The nature of this forum is that folk here tend towards the more long term, chronic presentation but that's by no means typical across the spectrum. I'd celebrate your recovery and go on with life - it may flare up again if something triggers you or you experience further trauma but it's by no means a given.

 

[Deleted member 42783]

Hmmmmm, I'm wondering if maybe most of my symptoms clear up (go into remission) but the comorbid depression makes it impossible to ever completely shake it. Actually, I have gone a few years here and there without serious depression or medications. Things seem to get worse and last longer as I age.

I believe, despite multiple traumas, that the majority of my PTSD symptoms have been mild. I've been lucky. Sometimes I feel like I don't really belong on this forum but I know I also tend to minimize things.

 

[Gadgie]

Sometimes when I'm having a good day, I feel like my PTSD is cured, but I'm afraid I don't get enough of them days.

Is there a cure for it? If there is, I've never heard of one, but we live in hope, all we can do is support each other, and keep going forward.

 

[Sideways]

Much like a torn muscle, it is possible (and common) for people to recover from PTSD. Complex PTSD is a different kettle of fish, but recovering to a point of no longer being troubled by symptoms? Still very possible.

You remain more susceptible to developing dysfunction again if you go through trauma in the future, like a torn muscle.

I've was Complex PTSD years ago. Recovery for me, is a long way off. But together with the appropriate treatment, my goal is still to be largely symptom free, and medication free. That's going to involve readjustments to the way I think, and the way I manage things like my emotions, my thoughts, and my relationship with others. But it is absolutely possible, and not Pie in the Sky stuff at all.

Some people? Experience ongoing and distressing symptoms for a long time. Without any treatment, there is the chance that the status quo may not change much. But is this a "life sentence"? Absolutely not.