I always feel like I'm overreacting or catastrophizing, etc whenever I think about them, but for months I've been considering getting a service dog for my PTSD. I didn't fully realize until I attempted suicide and was subsequently hospitalized how greatly I would benefit from a service dog. I've talked to my therapist and psychiatrist about it, and they both are very supportive about it and are encouraging me to go for it. I've done a lot of research about organizations and laws pertaining to service dogs, as well as the specific tasks that the dogs will need to do - e.g., deep pressure therapy, interrupting self harm, searching corners, waking me up from nightmares, helping me out of dissociative episodes/anixety attacks, etc. I understand the pros and cons of having a service dog, and after considering them for months, I've decided that the pros will ultimately outweigh the cons and a dog will benefit me tremendously.
I have been cycling through medications, but so far nothing has worked for me. I've been seeing a therapist once or twice a week since April, and she noted last time I saw her how I didn't seem to be improving at all. I mentioned it to my parents a few times, and each time it came up my mother was incredibly resistant to the idea and told me that I'm overreacting. I feel like no one completely understands how bad my symptoms actually are and how badly I need full-time help. In fact, I've started having PTSD-related seizures in addition to the regular side effects that interfere with my education and work. I think their disbelief is mainly due to the fact that my parents don't acknowledge my PTSD but instead say I'm mildly depressed and have anxiety issues. They don't want to admit that I was hospitalized and that the official diagnosis by multiple medical professionals is PTSD. I think a dog would completely solidify in their minds that there is something wrong with me. But dogs have always been incredibly helpful for me and have helped me calm down when I feel particularly overwhelmed with everything going on, and I need someone to help me when I'm having an anxiety attack, flashbacks, nightmares, etc. I would feel generally safer if I had a companion by my side to help me through the day.
But I just feel so strange whenever I bring up service dogs to my therapist or family. I feel weak and helpless, but I feel like having a service dog would help empower me and bring me out of this mentally ill pit that I'm currently in, and that I've been in for years. My parents aren't supportive at all, like I've mentioned, but I really think I need one.
Does anybody else have a service dog? Do I have the wrong reasons for wanting a service dog, do you think? Am I overreacting or being stupid about this? Any advice would be greatly appreciated! xx
I have been cycling through medications, but so far nothing has worked for me. I've been seeing a therapist once or twice a week since April, and she noted last time I saw her how I didn't seem to be improving at all. I mentioned it to my parents a few times, and each time it came up my mother was incredibly resistant to the idea and told me that I'm overreacting. I feel like no one completely understands how bad my symptoms actually are and how badly I need full-time help. In fact, I've started having PTSD-related seizures in addition to the regular side effects that interfere with my education and work. I think their disbelief is mainly due to the fact that my parents don't acknowledge my PTSD but instead say I'm mildly depressed and have anxiety issues. They don't want to admit that I was hospitalized and that the official diagnosis by multiple medical professionals is PTSD. I think a dog would completely solidify in their minds that there is something wrong with me. But dogs have always been incredibly helpful for me and have helped me calm down when I feel particularly overwhelmed with everything going on, and I need someone to help me when I'm having an anxiety attack, flashbacks, nightmares, etc. I would feel generally safer if I had a companion by my side to help me through the day.
But I just feel so strange whenever I bring up service dogs to my therapist or family. I feel weak and helpless, but I feel like having a service dog would help empower me and bring me out of this mentally ill pit that I'm currently in, and that I've been in for years. My parents aren't supportive at all, like I've mentioned, but I really think I need one.
Does anybody else have a service dog? Do I have the wrong reasons for wanting a service dog, do you think? Am I overreacting or being stupid about this? Any advice would be greatly appreciated! xx
