Emerg Services Question On Isolation From A Supporter

[RussH]

This is a good question. I will start by saying why I isolate :Safety. I know if I am alone, then no one will do something that I perceive as being hurtful.
I cannot answer how long it last, and even stranger I think I compartmentalize when it comes to isolating. What I mean is this. I will get up, go to work in a retail environment, interact with my co-workers, and our customers. I do very well at this, but when I have a day off I will stay in the house and not interact with anyone except here on the forum.

So I, on the one hand, am able to socialize at work, but not so much away from work. And the sad thing is I want friends outside of work. However I have trouble trusting people, and believing people want me around. (These thoughts are a part of my trauma). So I am not sure that my isolating has ended, or for that matter, will ever end.

 

[Nevada00]

This seems like a very sensible recommendation. Is is hard for your keep this boundary? Does your children's father object to this boundary?

I was reluctant at first, thinking they would be more confused but then offered the advise, also offering to leave the house incase it made him uncomfortable, but he refused. I'm not sure if he believes the recommendation actually came from the T or just wants to be combative with anything I suggest. So to a certain degree I'm still accommodating his needs --ok I'm really just sounding like it's all about him-- I guess it is-- but shouldn't come with a cost against my girls' wellbeing. He doesn't see it. Just feel caught in the middle of our reality and his.

 

[Nevada00]

This is a good question. I will start by saying why I isolate :Safety. I know if I am alone, then no one...

Thank you for being so honest! This is much like our experiences. with what we're experiencing now, as well as several friends, it seems that any event that raises their adrenaline to a certain level has actually been the catalyst for feeling "safe" and to come out of isolation. Has this been anyone else's experience? I'm wondering if my friends have also kept that level of adrenaline up by any means possible between episodes just to maintain the sense of safety, or if "coming down" actually does happen in safe way and is maintained? I apologize as I'm sure it's much to do again with the situation but I've found this with combat vets and first responders especially in my own experiences.

 

[CS67ART]

Im surrounded by several loved ones who unfortunately suffer from PTSD and TBI due to combat/law enfor...

Even when I was very isolated physically and or psychologically I never felt isolated with other vets because there is instant trust and an ability to relate. That said there were times when I didn't have access to other vets, physical distance etc, I would go into extreme isolation, putting on my fatigues, grabbing my ruck and disappearing into the mountains for as long as a week at a time. But usually I came back ok because I came back when I was ready. I also force myself to socialize but usually if I do that I come across as being unfriendly and isolated, so I can't win there either. I can only echo what others have written about TBI, I had a concussion and was later hospitalized for delayed concussion syndrome but at this point I'm not sure what the permanent effects are other then nerve damage.