Hello!
First of all I'm very glad I found this place to hopefully get me some advice/connections/knowledge about my condition!
I was diagnosed with PTSD/Possible CPTSD, panic disorder, depression, dermatillomania, and generalized anxiety disorder 9 1/2 months ago following my first 2 years of teaching middle school in low income schools. I was assaulted (at least) twice, black mailed by my principal, humiliated in front of all the teaching staff and student/parents, had both students and parents threaten to kill/harm/stalk me, and was constantly told I "wasn't a good enough teacher" despite working 80-100 hours a week.
My new therapist recently pointed out that this was on top of trauma I experienced because of my narcissistic/borderline older sister physically and mentally torturing me while I was growing up, my parents messy divorce when I was 8, being told my mother was not my biological mother (egg donor), and some mental health issues my parents deal with. All of which I tend to not think of as "trauma" but just how I grew up...
Of course when I type it all out, that seems like an inordinate amount of horrible (or at the very least, unpleasant) experiences for someone to have had at only 25 yrs old (ok, technically 24, but my birthday is in a week- yay!) BUT- I still struggle with nagging feelings that "it wasn't that bad!" and I need to "just deal with it and get over it".
Yet, as many of you on her know i'm sure, PTSD isn't something you just get over. It takes work, and trying new therapies, and having symptoms flare up, but also having good days!
As far as treatment for my PTSD I have had three therapists. The first did very little to help me, but he was not a trauma therapist and I just wasn't ready to talk yet. The second was actually a marriage therapist that both me and my husband saw because my symptoms flaring up after months of just trying to ignore my diagnosis caused a huge strain on our marriage. He was quite helpful for our marriage, and was very vocal about me needing to se a therapist that specialized in PTSD. Which leads us to where I am now, seeing my AMAZING new therapist and feeling very hopeful that she can help me learn to cope in healthy ways, and desensitize me to my triggers.
I also have a great GP/psychiatrist who has found a medication that helps me tremendously (when I take it...) and has been great at treating my other physical issues that come from the stress of PTSD flares or panic attacks (eczema, IBS, nausea/vomiting, passing out).
The last member of my care team is my........DOG TRAINER!
Yes, you read that right. After realizing that this wasn't going to "go away" even with my medication and that Im substantially limited in my ability to function like a normal human being my psycharitrist and my therapist both recommended a service dog for me. I've done months of research, and hemmed and hawed about the decision for hours but ultimately have decided to at least give it a shot as it really would benefit me.
My dog will be trained to remind me to take my medication (I yell at my husband when he tries to remind me, or refuse to take it), alert me to early anxiety cues such as scratching or skin picking, do deep pressure therapy, and lick my face/nudge me when I am in a panic attack or dissociative state.
I am picking up my service dog candidate tomorrow if the final evaluation goes well and am very excited- but also extremely nervous! Thinking of all the ways it could go wrong etc.
First of all I'm very glad I found this place to hopefully get me some advice/connections/knowledge about my condition!
I was diagnosed with PTSD/Possible CPTSD, panic disorder, depression, dermatillomania, and generalized anxiety disorder 9 1/2 months ago following my first 2 years of teaching middle school in low income schools. I was assaulted (at least) twice, black mailed by my principal, humiliated in front of all the teaching staff and student/parents, had both students and parents threaten to kill/harm/stalk me, and was constantly told I "wasn't a good enough teacher" despite working 80-100 hours a week.
My new therapist recently pointed out that this was on top of trauma I experienced because of my narcissistic/borderline older sister physically and mentally torturing me while I was growing up, my parents messy divorce when I was 8, being told my mother was not my biological mother (egg donor), and some mental health issues my parents deal with. All of which I tend to not think of as "trauma" but just how I grew up...
Of course when I type it all out, that seems like an inordinate amount of horrible (or at the very least, unpleasant) experiences for someone to have had at only 25 yrs old (ok, technically 24, but my birthday is in a week- yay!) BUT- I still struggle with nagging feelings that "it wasn't that bad!" and I need to "just deal with it and get over it".
Yet, as many of you on her know i'm sure, PTSD isn't something you just get over. It takes work, and trying new therapies, and having symptoms flare up, but also having good days!
As far as treatment for my PTSD I have had three therapists. The first did very little to help me, but he was not a trauma therapist and I just wasn't ready to talk yet. The second was actually a marriage therapist that both me and my husband saw because my symptoms flaring up after months of just trying to ignore my diagnosis caused a huge strain on our marriage. He was quite helpful for our marriage, and was very vocal about me needing to se a therapist that specialized in PTSD. Which leads us to where I am now, seeing my AMAZING new therapist and feeling very hopeful that she can help me learn to cope in healthy ways, and desensitize me to my triggers.
I also have a great GP/psychiatrist who has found a medication that helps me tremendously (when I take it...) and has been great at treating my other physical issues that come from the stress of PTSD flares or panic attacks (eczema, IBS, nausea/vomiting, passing out).
The last member of my care team is my........DOG TRAINER!
Yes, you read that right. After realizing that this wasn't going to "go away" even with my medication and that Im substantially limited in my ability to function like a normal human being my psycharitrist and my therapist both recommended a service dog for me. I've done months of research, and hemmed and hawed about the decision for hours but ultimately have decided to at least give it a shot as it really would benefit me.
My dog will be trained to remind me to take my medication (I yell at my husband when he tries to remind me, or refuse to take it), alert me to early anxiety cues such as scratching or skin picking, do deep pressure therapy, and lick my face/nudge me when I am in a panic attack or dissociative state.
I am picking up my service dog candidate tomorrow if the final evaluation goes well and am very excited- but also extremely nervous! Thinking of all the ways it could go wrong etc.
