Oh Dear WS, (((Hugs))).
To try to learn we're not a burden.
You are making progress! But yes, I too usually feel like I haven't made any.
But (and) you help so many people here with your words, kindness, understanding. :)
((Junebug)) I'm so sorry you feel like you haven't made any progress. Do you know why you feel that way? Could you please explain?
I am constantly feeling like I take one step forward, two steps back. When the PTSD symptoms hit, it feels like a tsunami hit me and it takes days for me to get my bearings/strength back and to regain a sense of safety and security. It's awful. That is when I start thinking I will never get over PTSD.
I suppose a great deal of recovery, in my mind anyway, is basically knowing we have absolutely been changed by PTSD, and that we will never be the same as we once were. A grieving process is a necessary part of healing I think for that lost self.
We need to live differently now, after going through the mourning process, trying to accept that we will never be the same and yet we can still live a complete life, I mean afterall, look at what we all survived. Not unscathed, not unscarred, but we survived something horrific. I think it's important to remember that and be very very proud of ourselves.
None of us asked to have PTSD, We do all have an illness. We have to cultivate self-compassion, I think, and work very diligently on being kind to ourselves during those terrible, difficult, feels like this is never going to end times. I think it is important, that we accept the change, mourn the formerly lost self and rebuild a new self and then come to acceptance of that different self and yet still know we can live life well, even within the limitations of disability. It's the self-loathing for having this illness/disability that I hate so much. But so often the emotion wins over the logical in PTSD, at least for me. Afterall would we hate ourselves if we had cancer?
You are so sweet to say what you did about me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. The abuse I suffered took away every last vestige of self-esteem I had. It very nearly destroyed me. I am trying to rebuild my life....but it's very difficult with the PTSD monster.
I'm sorry if all of this does not make sense, I am taking medicine and it makes my brain a bit foggy.