Sufferer Victim Of Violence, Coping With Ptsd, What To Do?

[ThisAccountWillHelpMe]

Last summer, I witnessed one man beating another unconscious and he continued to punch him in the head. Knowing he would die if I did not do anything, I took the aggressor down only to be punched repeatedly in the head several times by his friend. The police was just a few meters away but did not do anything.

Since I was hit from behind I avoid people being behind me when on the bus/cinema. I also feel my fighting instincts kick in and I tense up when random people suddenly appear in my sight without me being prepared. It could be anything so non-treathening as my girlfriend, a random person on the street. I do not do anything but I feel my body tense up.

People yelling, especially men, shocks me up and makes me angry.

The case is still in the police hands but has been rejected once. The doctor does not want to give me a diagnosis, yet my former doctor thought it may be PTSD. My current doctor wants me to see a shrink.

Basically, beyond the ordinary PTSD symptoms, they include:

* Feeling like I am constantly drowning and weight constantly over my body, especially at my chest, which makes it hard to breathe. And feeling it will not stop before I beat the guy to an inch of his life so he feels what he has forced me to feel. It is extremely frustrating knowing he walks around freely. I am not a hateful person, but this stuff really makes me feel like I am :-/


* Heart racing if I think about anything remotely connected to the subject. Especially at night.

* Cannot longer cope with doing more than one thing at a time, and often I have no energy left. I am completely and utterly exhausted, and have to lie down in a dark room for some time before I can get enough energy.

* My body being constantly alert and tense. It is like my body is pumping adrenaline and stress hormones in my body with no limitations.

Meditation doesnt even work because it is so frustrating when my mind is relaxed and my body is just constantly struggling to "fight".


I am currently having success with:

* Marijuana. Small doses that makes makes my body relax so I can do things

* Martial arts training. I go through a lot of sparring. Often what normal people would call hard sparring. It usually cures the symptoms for 5-6 hours, up to a day. I also compete in MMA and prepare for a fight I have in a year, which gives me something to look forward to, something to keep my focus on.

* Stand up comedy. They are short bits so I dont feel like I am trapped in the couch for 1 1/2 hours.

* Massage

* Yoga

* Cutting out people who annoys me

Are these symptoms normal to PTSD? Or do you think it may be something more related to post-concussion syndrome?

Cheers

 

[Kim]

Nobody here can diagnose you. We can't tell you if you have PTSD or not only a Dr can do that. I would recommend that you see someone for your symptoms as well as a diagnosis.

It's horrible that you've had to deal with all this and that the Police just stood there and watched. I can't even begin to imagine what that was like. I can understand why you are having the symptoms that you are. You were incredibly brave to do what you did.

Welcome to the forum. You'll find a lot of information and support here.

 

[Srain]

Welcome to the Forum. :)

It is horrid what happened to you, it makes me sick! You were brave to try to help a fellow person like that and I cannot fathom nobody helping, let alone the police but I have seen it happen. I'm sorry that the authorities are not doing their job, that's wrong and I certainly understand your frustration and indignation over the whole thing.

It sounds to me like you are taking very proactive steps, however, only a psychiatrist can medically diagnose PTSD, this might be where are having some problems in the medical community. I'm confused as to what kind of doctor said you had PTSD in the first place. There is no doubt that it was a very traumatic experience and if you are having these complications I would see about getting additional support. This forum has massive amounts of information so it's great you are here!

Take good care,
Peace,
Rain

 

[Deleted member 1860]

Welcome!

I echo the sentiments of seeking out a psychiatrist who CAN and WILL diagnose you, no matter what that may be. (it really does stink when you have to simply battle just to know what disorder you're dealing with!)