Sufferer University Kid

[Em C.]

Hi!

My name is Em and I am a second year university student in English and Political Science.

I have somatoform disorder as well as PTSD. My PTSD wasn't too bad (probably due to repression and whatnot) until a few weeks ago when my ex-boyfriend threatened to kill me or upset me enough that I did the job myself. Ever since then I've been getting more and more flashbacks from that and incidents from my childhood which probably caused my PTSD in the first place.

I'm also a mentor at my school and had to essentially be on call for one of my students for about two months and get her help and move her out of an abusive home. About two weeks ago I had to help one of my students who was sexually assaulted get help, which I guess amplified my own problems.

I do have meds and am searching for an appropriate psychologist but I am just floundering in the meantime and figured joining this would be worth a shot :)

 

[DMerish]

Hi Em,

Welcome to the forum. There are a lot of good resources and good people here.

Your boyfriend's threats sounded very disturbing. What's going on with the two of you now - still in relationship?

If you're familiar with PTSD and how stress makes it worse, then perhaps you might want to consider making a few changes in your life. For instance, maybe backing off from the mentoring role until you're out of school and/or older and more stable. I understand you probably want to mentor, to help others, but first-things-first: that means you need to take care of yourself first before considering how you can help care fo others.

Drew

 

[Deleted member 1860]

Is it possible that you're taking on too much? Many survivors go on to help others, but at a later stage of healing once they've reached a certain level of stability.

Welcome.

 

[Bees Are Awesome]

Hello Em! Welcome to the forum!

It sounds like you are trying to take on a lot of things at once! I understand the need to stay busy but there also comes a point where too much is too much. Good for you for taking action to help yourself by looking for a psychologist and by reaching out here. I hope that we see more of you around here.

 

[intothelight]

Hi Em,

Welcome to MyPTSD forum! :)

Sounds like you have gone through some major stressors the past few weeks. It is good that you are seeking the help of a psychologist and the support of forums like this. Do what you can to reduce some of the stress as it can help you to recover faster, but don't ever give up things that you are passionate about. Taking a break is OK.

I hope you find the information and support here beneficial to your healing.

Take care.

Debbie

 

[Em C.]

Hi everyone! Thanks for all the love! It really helps :)

@DMerish No we aren't dating thank goodness! We hadn't even been dating for quite some time when this happened. I haven't spoken` to him since.

As bad as it sounds, I don't really know how to entirely take care of myself and neither do the medical professionals I've been to. They were entirely stumped even before my PTSD started really kicking in. I'm really good at taking care of other people and most of the time I don't realize I'm doing it until it is too late to back out. It is something I am working on though! :)

I am also rather bad at doing too much. Two jobs and an overload at school was probably a little too ambitious in retrospect. My doctor deferred all of my exams and essentially put me on sort of bed rest until school resumes the second week of January. I keep trying to do stuff and then after I'm up for like two hours it becomes a struggle to do more or even stay awake. Does that happen to other people?

 

[a3a2]

Hi, Em. As far as taking care of yourself, consider what you would recommend or do for someone in your situation. Then do it for yourself or ask someone to help you. I know it is difficult to ask for help, but it is an important step in getting well. So is avoiding unnecessary trauma. I concur with the others. Leave off mentoring for a bit, and take care of yourself. Glad to see you are seeking a good psych. Hope you find one soon.

 

[billie]

Welcome. My university was the main source for me getting the help I needed. I started getting flashbacks in anatomy class, and when one of my lecturers noticed she put me through the correct channels which lead me to a great therapist. A management plan was also tailored for me. I wish you clarity through this time.

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

Welcome to the forum. :)

 

[Em C.]

Thank-you everyone! :)

I am going to try to minimize my mentoring this semester (it`s a full year thing so I can`t back out) and do my best to sort things out. I think I've found a psychologist I like (based on her website anyways) so I'm trying to be optimistic for 2014!

 

[HelasBrice]

You guys are discussing a very nice topic.