What Improvements Have You Made?

[Nicolette]

I know we get all caught up in the terrible time PTSD causes and how it is so debilitating so I thought we should take the time to acknowledge what improvements have been made. Even little things count.

How are you coping better, what are you doing better, how is your pain less, anything?

 

[liv now]

Hi. my pain is less because I have been owning parts of my life I feel embarrassed about by finally talking about them. I have also been talking about parts of my body and feelings I experience within my body. I have always felt this was "taboo" or not something people spoke about. I did this three weeks ago and Initially it made my life hell and I was so intensely triggered and in heaps of pain and not able to function at all. But today for the first time in weeks I smiled and felt at peace.

 

[TLight]

Now that I'm not 'really' working and have a good primary relationship with my BF, I can feel the good brain chemicals working and I'm not so irritable. When I have to interact with humans in somewhat stressful situations, I'm more present and I seem to have a bit more control over the rage and irritability.

I haven't felt suicidal in some time and I haven't just wanted to stay in bed for awhile. I'm feeling a bit more hopeful about the future and look forward to managing this beast successfully.........or at least to the best of my ability and try to have the best quality of life I can.

I've made the decision I'm done 'getting back at Daddy'..........even though I didn't realize that's what I'd been doing......I do now. And I don't hate men or want to compete with them so much anymore. I've nothing to prove.

I know there are still lots of bad people out there, but I'm starting to acknowledge there are good ones too.

These have been some huge changes for me.
Thanks for asking Nicolette...........good to remind ourselves how far we've come through this agonizing ordeal called PTSD.

 

[midi]

Not as psychotic anymore - the severe mood swings and quick to fire up have leveled out for the most part.

 

[justme4]

I am going to therapy for the first time and 5 years and made a commitment to myself to take it seriously and not avoid the topics that make me anxious. I also close my eyes at night and try to focus on all the positives that I have in my life. If that doesn't work, I go to the fire pit sit down and enjoy a beer.

 

[cat]

What a good thread, adding up all our achievements however small is an important step towards 'recovery'

Until six weeks ago I was ready to give up, I was angry, depressed, not wanting to see anyone or go out & had decided that this was how life would be forever & there was no point in making an effort. Then I started EMDR therapy, taking meds, meditation daily, deep breathing & water therapy. Also with guideance from my psychologist i've taken a 'no option' attutude to some of my symptoms & have been exposing myself to my fears more which has made them less troublesome & boosted my self confidence.
This improvement has meant that after 14mths off sick I have returned on a voluntary basis this morning. As I expected it was difficult but I've got brilliant support from my colleagues & I got through it with only a few wobbly moments which I was able to manage. I know I've still got a very long way to go but at long last I can see light at the end of the tunnel.

Keep adding up those small improvements & with time & patience they become bigger ones!

 

[jeapea]

Thanks for the query, Nicolette.

I haven't been on here for a while because I've been really busy with the ranch and my shop after such a long winter. Things have been a little stressful, but one thing I've noticed about myself is how I'm not taking responsibility for the things that don't belong to me the way I used to. I find my life much easier to deal with when I can just let things go and not try to change or fix what's wrong. I can walk away and not take it personally even though something might tick me off, hurt me (or someone else) or cause problems. The world doesn't rest on my shoulders after all....

I'm breathing fresh air.

 

[Irton Pike]

I have started forming a relationship with my youngest who turned 2 today. For 18 months she was just a thing that lived in our house. No emotional attachment at all.

 

[Irton Pike]

I can work.
I can go to job interviews
I am learning to understand my anger and where it comes from.
Sometimes I can control my anger
Most of the time I can monitor my thoughts for negative thinking and keep myself from slipping into depression
I do not have suicidal thoughts on a daily basis.
I spend more time mucking about with my kids.
I treat myslf with more compassion that i used to.
ry to understand how others might feel.
I am attempting to dismantle the perceived threats around me and deal with them rationally rather than with a HUGE emotional response.

 

[SunnyBrookFarm]

I am more honest with my husband about how I'm feeling....
I am more honest with myself regarding my feelings and moods.....
I am seeing a therapist.......
I am learning coping skills and recognizing stressors.......
I know I will be able to add to this list with more work on my part and with my therapist.......

 

[jeapea]

One very important thing that's changed in me is that I stopped letting myself believe the lies. Once that burden was lifted, I felt so much relief!

 

[Grama-Herc]

I have finally accepted my lost childhood memories. I don't like it, I'm not happy about it, but I have accepted it.

I am also working really hard to respond properly to my mom when her memory fails her. I am dong really good at not loosing my temper with her. She was really triggering my temper and the sad part--she could not help it