Ptsd, Stress And Disease

[intothelight]

There is no doubt that PTSD is the "mother of all anxiety" disorders. For years so many of us live with our bodies reacting in the extreme to many different and even slight stressors. Many times, I have personally felt there was some type of "switch" that was stuck, and my "fight" response would go from zero to one hundred at the slightest start. (Even too many phone calls can set it off.)

There is no doubt that stress negatively impacts the cardiovascular system, the endocrine system, and the immune system. It is the bodies reaction to stress that wreaks havoc over time with these systems. There is plenty of science to back this up, so no news here.

What I find interesting is the amount of chronic disease that members here have. It makes sense based upon what stress does to your body and combine the tendency to disregard self-care, it is not surprising.

So take this diagnosis and when you treat, fight as though your life depended upon it. Yes, therapy is hard work and it feels "alien" to take care of yourself, but doing it can save you from exacerbating existing physical conditions and possibly prevent future physical problems.

So put yourself first and make hydration, good nutrition, exercise, and sleep a priority as these things help with promoting optimal physical health and have a positive impact on mental health. Cut out the stress that you have control over, and work hard in therapy and acquiring the skills necessary to manage your symptoms.

But most of all, learn to not be your own worst enemy. It takes time, but it can be done. All of us here have had really horrible things happen to us. We cannot change that, but we did all survive. Now it is time to thrive, so take care of yourselves. Whether you believe it or not at this point, you are worth it!!

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

I understand what you mean Debbie. There have been lots of studies on the subject; that having mental or psychical issues increases your chance of other ones. Unfortunately. :(

Cut out the stress that you have control over, and work hard in therapy and acquiring the skills necessary to manage your symptoms.

I think this is very good advice. Though I think some stress is unavoidable. School for example, which I maintain I need to feel good about myself and need in my life because I love it. But in that regard I have compromised. I no longer go to school in the fall because I know it is not possible for me to realistically do because of major depression every fall. I have excepted that even though it can be hard watching others my age go to school year around. Which I admit makes me envious of them.

Good advice. :tup: You gave me lots to think about.

 

[MagiLisu]

I do agree with all of this. My therapist has always said to me if you don't let your stress out emotionally than they will often come out physically.

 

[Deleted member 12723]

Thanks Deb. All good things. Anything that helps. I am experiencing alot less symptoms than I did years ago. When my husband had pneumonia my anxiety went through the roof. I did not sleep for two days and all of the horribilizing thoughts were bothering me. I had quite the scare.

He is fine now and I am back to my old self. So I have to guard against crises times in my life. I wish I did not have to wait two months to have therapy again. It is my HMO. It is their policy. They believe in short term therapy.

I could use it on a regular basis. But I do what I can. I am maintaing a even stability now. Thank you for saying what you did. It makes so much sense.