Poll Ptsd- Still Widely Misunderstood By People

[keifer]

On hulu, I watched halfway home. I describe ptsd like a house. People look at it differently on the outside than those of us on the inside looking out. And, most people don't pay attention to the house when they drive by.

 

[novemberDark]

Yes Returningsmile, Ppl can hurt from trauma without having PTSD, # 3.

For me the difference seems to be (I was a supporter of someone diagnosed with combat PTSD) seems to be the frequency of symptoms. For me the nightmares are not as frequent, flashbacks and triggers aren't the same, but I will never forget the smell/ sight off humans on fire and not can get close to do something because my skin hurt being meters away. I seem to have more controle over memories than mybex partner. Sure I have nightmares and I see every plane in the sky and when one of them sounds funny I run outside buyt I don't resee everyhing out ofbthe blue amdbi don' t re- live oitbocbthe blue at

 

[Inwardly_Broken]

The biggest one I get is that: I can't have PTSD because I never went to war. But I'm pretty darn sure that 17 years of rape and abuse could cause PTSD in a person. The other one I get a lot is #5 : You're just pretending, wanting attention, etc. Why would anybody want to pretend to have PTSD? Sounds pretty low to me.

 

[VT86]

I can't count the number of times that I have heard someone say every one of these misconceptions. My favorite was when I turned in FMLA paperwork at work and my HR guy wanted to know why the doctor didn't fill in an end date for my PTSD. I wasn't aware that I should know exactly when I will "get over it".

 

[novemberDark]

Got booted of not realizing my post went through. What I experienced is that if you have survived a disaster that was know to people all over (my country) all over the national news etc, even after over a decade, they autimatically expect you to have issues to this day. Same with wars everyone heard about on the news worldwide, yet other individual traumas lived, there's only a small circle of people that know about it (if anyone at all) .Perhaps the unawareness has something to do with the misunderstanding or even ignorance for individuals that also developped ptsd.

 

[JarHed]

Today information flies around the globe at light speed. But then there is all kinds of info out there. Both good from a well informed perspective and bad from a misunderstood or ill informed one. So, there is a great deal of 'talk' about PTSD today. Much of it does center on those that have it due to combat. If there is any good to come from that it may be that it will shed a better light on all who suffer from PTSD not just veterans.

I say this as a combat veteran with PTSD. The hope is that all who need help with their problems may find a way to seek out help for it. One should not have to suffer from a condition due to ignorance on the part of others. I realized very soon after my return from overseas that people really don't want to know what's wrong with you. That in part is still the same today, but it is changing slowly, very slowly.

It would be nice if friends, family or people in general would be more supportive and open minded about these things but they aren't. I would say don't let that lack of understanding or support on their part stop you from getting the help your need to start on the way to a better life for yourself.

Each one of us is alone in ourselves, and with ourselves 24/7. Things that people say out of ignorance or a lack of correct information shouldn't stop you from moving forward. Or at least try not to let it. Everyone has an opinion about everything, that doesn't mean that they are right. Even if it doesn't seem so, every day is a blessing. Make the best of it.

JarHed

 

[keifer]

@JarHed you said that very well.

 

[macca]

This reminds me of my great uncle, whose war record (WWII) complains that they can't get him to fly again, even as an instructor. They make a statement about how other pilots had harrowing experiences too and they are ok, and it comes across that they think he's a coward, or willful. Even though awareness has gone up dramatically, I wonder how much understanding has improved - not that much (in the general public at least).

 

[DMerish]

I've only told a couple of family members that I have PTSD. They know what it is and were/are understanding. The few friends I've told are not friends anymore. Brief conversations with them through the years (before I un-friended them) prompted odd dialog.
.
THEM: "But you can't have PTSD. You've never been in a war."
ME: "Perhaps you're right. I don't like fighting on many levels and I haven't been in a war."

ME: "I feel like a computer. I don't have feelings anymore."
THEM: "Stop that now! You're being silly. You have feelings. Everybody does."
ME: "Never mind. Judge me all you want. I won't feel it - like I said, I don't have feelings anymore."

ME: "I can't make it out of the house right now."
THEM: "I'm sure you'll get over it soon. You should go watch the sunrise. Nobody can feel down watching the sun rise."

ME: "I'm feeling sad. I haven't been sleeping well and I can't think straight."
THEM: "Sad? Why are YOU sad. Don't you know some people have diseases and tumors or pets that are dying?."

ME: "I'm not going to go. I don't know any of those people except you."
THEM: "Oh, come on. Maybe you'll make some new friends."
ME: "I don't think so. They are all entomologists. We don't have anything in common."

THEM: "Don't be so negative. How do you know you won't meet somebody that you'd like to spend more time with."
ME: "What? Like going on a date with them later and looking for spiders in wood piles?"
THEM: "Aw, com'on."

ME: "No, I don't like spiders."
THEM: "They're not interested only in spiders. They're interested in moths and flies and mosquitos too, you know."
ME: "Well, I don't like to fight. I'll go, but I'll probably just sit there and not talk. I don't think I'd have anything to add to the conversation. I mean, the most I could add to a conversation about insects is the time I tore the wings off a fly and made him my pet. Hey, wait a minute. Maybe your friends could put me under a microscope and figure out how to fix me, or swat me until I wake up or I'm dead. Nah, on second thought, nope, I'm not going."

THEM: "You and your PTSD. When are you going to get over it, huh? Gawd, you're the most stubborn, illogical person I know."


Looking back on these conversations, I can laugh about them now. :rolleyes: ;) :D

 

[Deleted member 1860]

Ack! Illogical! That is another hot word with me! Better go post in the right thread...

 

[Britt.f7]

I'm not sure because I don't really talk about PTSD. Not even with the therapist. I feel awkward even mentioning it. I was definitely diagnosed. I just don't like to mention it. I guess I don't want to have to explain.

 

[Abstract]

. Not even with the therapist.

Does your T know you were diagnosed Britt? Have you directly processed all your traumatic experiences?

I haven't told a single person so relate.

I can't vote here even though I have heard this stuff from others to do with PTSD and trauma.