General Secondary Ptsd

[DeedeeRSM]

I've read a couple of Anthony's articles today as I'm still trying to get a clearer picture.

It's obvous to me now that untreated or uncontrolled PTSD can cause abusiveness in spouses together with all sorts of other disorders.

Also I read something about secondary PTSD, I did a search on it and this is what I found from a vet's wife's blog.

The symptoms she describes for secondary PTSD:

* Avoidance of things, people, and places that are related to the one with PTSD’s trauma to the extent it is their own trauma.

* Have nightmares/terrors related to the one with PTSD’s trauma, but the nightmares/terrors are not from a trauma of their own.

* Anxiety, panic, uneasiness, much the same as one with PTSD but are based around issues related to the one with PTSD’s trauma and triggers, not their own.

* Irritability and mood changes and/or attention.

* Change, increase or decrease, in sleep and/or appetite.

I can tick all these boxes and I hate it. I've been like this for 2 years or something, never knew there was such a thing as secondary ptsd?!

Since the break up and since I have no contact wth him, the above mentioned symptoms have decreased though. I have no more nightmares about him and I, I don't have the anxiety and panic anymore, and the mood shifts are also gone.

The avoidance is still here but I'm sure that once I'm completely seperate in heart and mind from my ex, this symptom will disappear together with my rising self esteem. O

Of course I'm not officially diagnosed, so I can't say yes I have this but I can say I've experienced all these symtoms for quite some time.

In my country, psychlogical help and therapy is so underdeveloped it makes me cry. I had to search for weeks for a codependency group, there are no specialist therapists on this subject.

When trying to get my ex to a trauma and ptsd specialist, we had to go to 5!!! different therapists all linked to each other to finally end up with the psychiatrist he needs, after a year! Ridiculous truly.

 

[Sandi79]

I have felt some of the same symptoms.

I have decided to work on me and building my own life.

You are a strong person, but this is a strong battle loving someone with PTSD.

My dad sent me this:
7 Rules of Life
1) Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.
2) What others think of you is none of your business.
3) Time heals almost everything, give it time.
4) Don’t compare your life to others and don’t judge them. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
5) Stop thinking too much, it’s alright not to know the answers. They will come to you when you least expect it.
6) No one is in charge of your happiness, except you.
7) Smile. You don’t own all the problems in the world.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

"Secondary PTSD" isn't an official DSM diagnosis, however that doesn't mean you aren't dealing with those symptoms. This is in regards to you stating you aren't officially diagnosed, as you can't be officially diagnosed, in much the same way that a sufferer can't officially be diagnosed with CPTSD, but the symptoms can still be there.