I have a very similar story to you. I got PTSD because I was doing a degree, working and had a successful life of little activities and friends outside home. My father threatened my life and so was my supervisors in a violent attack and then my mother emotionally blackmailed me. This actually happened twice 3 months with success with friends/work as the trigger both times.
I could not work for 13 years in a paid job when I got PTSD. This and last year I completed 1 1/4 years of work in a supermarket team. I earned more than Centrelink recipients last year. So I am proud of myself.
What helps me overcome things is to heal my issues with personal relationships, I actually blamed being close to people for my attack, and it took many years to diffuse this. Then and only then, could I work out the success issues. It is a lot of things to solve but every little thing helps. I did 'linking'. And focussed on the stability of a good role model in my childhood while working.
I have gotten very defensive in situations where I have to talk to people, and still do, it is the PTSD talking. It can be very hard to overcome the negative messages to establish close relationships or helathy working relationships sometimes.
I kind of think a good way about it is to set your standards by your own bar, not anyone elses. You have your own journey, they have theirs. If you behave the way you want and set your own standards with how you go about work with relationships and follow through then be proud of that. Nobody elses opinion matters.
