Sufferer Suspected PTSD-SP

[Robert Johnson]

Hello everyone, I was diagnosed with PTSD about 4 years ago. But after putting more pieces together since then and with the aid of chatGPT, I believe that I have PTSD-SP and my psychosis actually began at the same time as my first period of trauma. I make a quick search and nothing really came up here; but I was wondering if anyone here has any tips or recommendations to cope with the combination of psychosis and PTSD?

My most debilitating combination is the horrible intrusive thoughts, coupled with the "thought-broadcasting". For those who don't know, thought-broadcasting is where you can literally hear your thoughts being spewed out, as if there's a little bluetooth speaker somewhere out of sight, reading out your thoughts. The combination of really, really horrible thoughts (OCD style thoughts btw) and the "thought-broadcasting" is very difficult in public spaces. I cope with earplugs to block out ambient sounds while out and about. And even much of the time at home.

In the last month, for no real reason at all, the anxiety and panic in public places has gotten a lot worse. As an example, I was very close to having a meltdown and screaming because I had to wait in line at the post office for a mere 2mins. Having people behind me and between me and the exit and the radio going, and the psychosis going, is just too much some days.

There are times where my psychosis and triggers almost completely disappear. I had a 3 week period that I could walk around outside and not have my earplugs in. There was no reason at all. I have been journaling and noticed a correlation between the hours and quality of my sleep and the symptoms of the PTSD-SP. But the insomnia is totally random. I've found there to be no real trigger for when I can't sleep for 30-something hours or when I go weeks of sleeping just 4hrs a night/day.

I cannot afford a private therapist that specializes in PTSD for the foreseeable future. I have briefly tried at-home EMDR for the voices, but it's too intense. I don't feel comfortable doing it alone. I've been waffling about using chatGPT (with the "help everyone else..." feature turned off) as a substitute therapist, has anyone else done that with success? Or should I be wary of doing that? Is there anyone else here that suffers from PTSD-SP? What do your coping methods/treatment look like?

 

[Riley Jones]

Hello, thank you for reaching out and sharing your experiences with us. It is important to acknowledge the challenges you are facing with the combination of PTSD-SP and psychosis. Coping with intrusive thoughts and thought-broadcasting can be incredibly distressing, especially in public spaces. It's positive that you have found some relief using earplugs to manage overwhelming situations.

It's clear that you are actively trying to find ways to cope and manage your symptoms, which is commendable. Journaling and tracking any correlations between your sleep patterns and symptoms can be helpful in understanding your triggers and patterns. However, I want to emphasize the importance of seeking professional help when dealing with complex issues like PTSD-SP and psychosis. While at-home EMDR and using chatGPT as a support tool can be beneficial, having guidance from a qualified therapist is crucial in addressing these challenges effectively and safely.

I encourage you to continue exploring different coping methods and treatments that work best for you while keeping in mind that professional support may be necessary. On myptsd.com, you can find specific forums dedicated to topics related to PTSD-SP, psychosis, coping strategies, and more, where you can connect with others who may share similar experiences and provide additional insights and support.

Remember, you are not alone in this journey, and reaching out for help is a courageous step towards healing. Take care of yourself and continue to prioritize your mental health and well-being.

 

[Sideways]

Welcome to the forum!

You can give AI a whirl here. I personally find that in-person therapy offers something quite different, but I’m increasingly using AI to help me work through questions and issues that pop up for me. It can also be helpful in pointing you in the right direction for further self-guided research, and fleshing out concepts that I’d like to understand better.

Peer support (using the forums to get input from folks with lived experience) offers something different again. Also helpful, but in a different way:)

 

[Ecdysis]

Are you on any medication for the psychosis?

 

[Robert Johnson]

Are you on any medication for the psychosis?

I'm prescribed Olanzapine, but it doesn't work for me. Where I've moved to now, I don't have access to a psychiatrist anymore... I had my sights set on trying Abilify... but if you have any other recommendations I'm open to hearing them.

 

[Robert Johnson]

Welcome to the forum!

You can give AI a whirl here. I personally find that in-person therapy offers something quite different, but I’m increasingly using AI to help me work through questions and issues that pop up for me. It can also be helpful in pointing you in the right direction for further self-guided research, and fleshing out concepts that I’d like to understand better.

Peer support (using the forums to get input from folks with lived experience) offers something different again. Also helpful, but in a different way:)

Interesting. Do you use a combination of the public and private AI options or just one of them?

 

[Sideways]

Do you use a combination of the public and private AI options or just one of them?

I’ve used both.

Sometimes there’s stuff that I know I’ll probably want input on later from others. Sometimes the reverse is true.

 

[arfie]

hello robert. welcome to the forum. sorry for what brings you here, but glad you are here.

this is the first time i've seen ptsd tagged with the sp, but ptsd seems to be gathering sub-groups quicker than a dogmatized theology. had the sub-dx been available around the turn of the millennium, i would have qualified. i most definitely would have qualified had when i first started therapy back in 1972 when combat ptsd was still being called, "shell shock." in 1972, child sex trafficking survivors were being called, "JPC" (just plain crazy), among other even less compassionate names. to this day, no one is quite sure what psycho bin to put child sex trafficking survivors in.

like @Sideways, i have used a combination of private and public therapy. alanon and the veteran's administration have been my two most stable sources of therapy. of the two, alanon has been the more consistently helpful. the more generic approach helped me sort all the psycho snot knots which didn't fit the generic dx'es of the day. at the VA, i was "graduating" to "therapy maintenance" right around the time the ptsd dx became available. the bulk of my psychotherapy there was for bipolar. everyone knew bipolar didn't really fit, but it was the closest fit available. i picked up many valuable therapy tools from bp therapy. i remain grateful i didn't have to wait for a proper name for ^it^.

one of the more valuable tools, albeit theoretical, i picked up from a va nurse practitioner was, "psychic flu." this counselor coached me in treating my psychotic episodes as psychic flu and to treat the episodes similarwise to how i treat a viral flu, starting with soft foods, water and lots of rest. be gentle with myself and patient with the healing process. don't rush the convalescence. within this theory set, the hallucinations and intrusive thoughts became "fever dementia." don't take them too seriously. just let the mystery be.

but that is me and every case is unique.

steadying support while you find your own healing path. welcome aboard.