Recovery Is Possible

[brokenchild]

I once had almost every symptom of PTSD and, for a while now, I have few to none of them. I've never been this symptom free before and the difference is amazing. This doesn't seem to be a remission of the PTSD as things that triggered me in the past not longer do. Some real progress has been made and it's GREAT!!

Don't give up!!!

 

[Nicolette]

Well done Brokenchild. I am very happy for you. :occasion:

Anthony sounds to be in a similar situation as you. I know he says some days are a struggle but he can manage himself well and knows when to rest from listening to his body. He also seems to interact a lot more socially that when I first met him. Its nice to hear that you too are doing well.

 

[pandora]

I find that I am trying to do the same things and the fears are less and less but I really have been working HARD to LIVE with this incurable disease in every way i can or know how to do.

 

[pandora]

And... I do not mean to sound negative but if there was a crisis in my world, my life.....my symptoms would exaccerbate....would this happwn to others too.

Do not get me wrong I am glad that you feel great right now......it just scares me becasuse this illness seems to lurke...when you are vulnurable BOOM....symptoms.

 

[Deleted member 541]

I had been doing ok for quite awhile, and then had something happen lately that is one of my worst triggers. I feel like I am losing it again. Back on sleep meds, after being off for almost 5 yrs, and back to therapy this week after out for almost 15 yrs....

So I do know that you can be symptom free....Great job on the hard work that you have done....

 

[morgan]

I'm glad to hear it. I still have bad days too but like you said they are nowhere near what they used to be like. Great work. just don't forget where you came from huh?

Morgan

 

[TLight]

My Goodness;
So good to hear! Thank you Thank you Thank you!

I look forward to the day and I'm going to believe!

 

[brokenchild]

Things have been/are pretty stressful at the moment. My aunt is pretty sick and I don't if she's going to make it. There's also the stress of being a senior in college and planning for the future.

I actually went back to one of the places where the abuse occurred and was not triggered in the slightest. The few times I have had what I would (now) call a bad dream relating to the abuse, when I woke up, I was fine, not triggered, panicky, etc.

They're are no longer nightmares, just bad dreams. The memories are no longer triggering, just part of who I am. Certain words are no longer triggering, just words.

More importantly, the past does not influence what I can or cannot do. I want to go to the gym at night, the darkness does not stop me. I want to go to NYC and wander around by myself, the fact that I was abused there does not stop me. I want to be supportive of my friends who are going abroad to Prague, the fact I was trafficked there doesn't stop me from listening and being supportive.

Finally, I think I am really ME, not "a girl who was abused" and I really have been enjoying finding out just what I am capable of.

 

[Michele Rosenthal]

How Did You Find Relief?

For all of you in here that have bridged the gap between PTSD and a better life -- how did you do it? What activities, actions, therapies, etc. worked best for you?

Any helpful tips would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[lrs]

I was once as bad as it gets. A psychiatrist told me I could not take another hit in life, I would kill myself.
I have not had any symptoms of PTSD now for almost 5 years. My life is as dynamic as anyone I know.
My story is on this site, I'm sure many have seen it. If you have not, it can be seen here:

[DLMURL]http://www.ptsdforum.org/thread243.htm[/DLMURL]

BrokenChild, I'm happy for you, congratulations on what you have accomplished.
How did you do it?

 

[brokenchild]

I actually how no idea how I did it. The abuse is something that I didn't talk about for a few years after it stopped. Once I started talking about it though, I KEPT talking about it. I never really took a "break" from it. I purposely triggered myself in hopes of desensitizing myself faster. I spent 10 days (5 days each days) at an intensive out patient program for PTSD as well. I was actually a little worse after those stints at first but, gradually, everything just seemed to fall in place. I was determined to "get over it" and just wouldn't let it beat me.

I wish I had a more concrete answer.

 

[lrs]

I like your story, and once again congratulations.