Ptsd The Differences??????

[saffy]

Thank you for sharing Anthony's post it was very interesting. A lot to deal with but does make sense.

It seems that CPtsd amongst others is a term to describe a type or set of symptoms rather than a diagnosis in itself. This must be a good thing because it catagorizes rather than puts all in one basket.

Lets pray that the studies on this continue.

Saffy

 

[Zef]

When I found this forum, I was actually struck by the similarities between those of us who have PTSD due to repeated childhood trauma and those with combat trauma and incident trauma (car wreck, violence, nurses/paramedics/cops).

If you force me to name a difference, I think it would be due to a person's age when the trauma happened. For instance, those of us who began trauma between the ages of 3-5 generally are more likely to find themselves with some form of DDNOS attached to PTSD. This is probably the result of the development stage our brain is going through at the time.

I think our differences are more individual, how our brains react to each of our individual genes and environment, rather than broader categories. Sure, a combat survivor is going to have issues with different things than I am, but underneath it all, we are each just responding to the environment we were traumatized in.

 

[Meadowsweet]

I noticed differences between different types of trauma when I first came here and I guess I wanted to 'fit' somewhere.

But what I've found since, is that I relate best to people with similar ways of relating to their PTSD, similar ways of talking about it or approaching specific issues.

But their trauma's may be quite different to mine.

So I think labels are useful to enable people to find the therapeutic approach that will work best for them. But once in the therapy room, it's the individual experience that is important.

I think it can be quite unsafe to fit in with people on such a broad basis of childhood abuse.

 

[intothelight]

I have PTSD caused by complex trauma, with years of child abuse and then almost 30 years of abuse by my ex-husband.

PTSD symptoms are commonly shared whether the PTSD has been caused by combat, abuse, disease, accident's, etc. But the degree of the symptoms, affects on personality, and the time to really heal seems to be affected by the severity, duration, and personality traits of the individual.

What I love about this site, is the fact that our traumas are all different and we are all unique individuals; but we all can understand how this disorder affects us. It is the understanding and support that are so invaluable as I cannot explain what it is to experience PTSD symptoms to someone who has never "been there and done that".

 

[JustBe]

Exactly!

 

[saffy]

Thank you everyone for extremely interesting and personal answers.

I have found too that as much as we try to catagorize different types and/or give labels in the end their is a common understanding with all of us and that is an excellent tool for recover and is why sites like this help people so much :)

I am glad I found this one

best wishes and happy thoughts to everyone

Saffy

 

[DharmaGirl]

Saffy, I'm so glad you brought this up. This was a good insight for me too!

 

[Abstract]

Hi Saffy,

Not sure if you are still looking :watching: at this but thought I would answer. I could not understand it either initially but now realise the following:

That Complex trauma is not about how much trauma someone has had (one can have lots and not have complex trauma) and rather is to do with certain things co existing with the rest of the PTSD symptoms. And that is a dissociative disorder plus personality changes that veer towards the personality disorder spectrum. There is something on site somewhere that describes the new proposed changes to the DSM criteria and diagnoses.

Chronic PTSD is when someone meets full PTSD criteria for a long period of time. The majority of people don't apparently as their symptoms settle.

 

[Tanishq]

Hi Saffy,

I think any kind of ptsd is very difficult to handle. Even tiny traumatic event can be life changing for anyone. I find very hard to see difference. I see it becomes very difficult because it gets very complex as things mix up by time. I wish it was that easy to explain ptsd.

Thanks for asking this question. :)

Regards,
Jaret

 

[saffy]

Thanks Jaret and Abstract

Iagree there is much more to learn and to understand. I think that the symptoms can echo whatever the trauma was so maybe it is about the treatment?

Would there be a difference for someone who has ptsd from long term abuse and trauma rather than a sudden one. I was reading someones post the other day saying that they wish they could go back to how they were before the accident. For me there is no different me to go back to. IF that makes sense.

It must be really hard for someone to have lost that sense of self. I have never had one and have never really known who I am.

Interesting....

best wishes
Saffy :)

 

[Tanishq]

we are all unique individuals

I loved hearing this.

There are many people who are feeling new and that's the sign of improvement what they invested. Let this world call whatever they think. I have seen many people giving up too easily, not even taking care of their own anger or issues. Let alone their mental injuries.

I no longer believe ptsd is mental illness. I tell it is an injury and you can mend the wound. if people can defeat cancer, terminal ones. We certainly can overcome this. Nothing is impossible.

Everyone has got difficult ptsd diagnose, but I want to tell that will take them to something new self which will be more mature and experienced.

 

[saffy]

I tell it is an injury and you can mend the wound

That's a healthy way of looking at it jaret. I guess we just have some deep wounds. :)

Saffy :)