What Is The One Thing You Wish People Knew/ Understood About Ptsd Or Trauma?

[Tinyflame]

I wish I could say,
"I was just like you, then one day, I wasn't. I didn't ask for my body or mind to give out on me. I'm doing the best I can with the tools I have.
If you walked in my shoes for one day, would you forgive me then, even eventually?"

 

[Chincho]

I wish I could say,
"I was just like you, then one day, I wasn't. I didn't ask for my body or mind to give out on me. I'm doing the best I can with the tools I have.
If you walked in my shoes for one day, would you forgive me then, even eventually?"

Yes!!! I need to say this to a "friend" who walked out on me when I needed her most because I said some cruel things to her in the middle of a flashback week. It's her birthday today and I miss her so much...

 

[Tinyflame]

Chincho, I'm sorry.
If you miss her, just apologize and later (if not now) you can explain. If she's that dear a friend she will understand (and probably misses you too).
It helps if she knows you have PTSD(-?)
(((((Hugs)))))

 

[Red Feather]

I wish people would understand how lonely it is to have PTSD and difficult it is for me to be different. How hard is for me to express what I feel. I always wish for a feeling of mutual respect that doesn't worsen after people get confronted with the way I am. People who can deal with it when I change my mind or can't make a decision. People who can remain flexible because I have such a hard time setting a fixed date.

I am always so grateful to those people who are always there for me. Who smile although I am not smiling. Who don't care or take it personal when I can't be like they are. Who don't feel like they have to be different for me, but they can be honest and direct.

People who don't behave different to me then when they normally would, after finding out.
People who can totally accept it, if I want to be alone. But still aren't too shy to knock on my door if they want.

Just an atmosphere of respect and love.

 

[Hashi]

I wish people would ask me what's helpful instead of telling me what they think as if it's a fact.

I wish people would understand that taking a trip wouldn't be "getting away from it all for a bit". It would overload me with anxiety just thinking about it.

 

[Deleted member 12723]

I wish they would understand that I have anxiety and it is out of my control. That I don't feel good alot of the time. That I am doing the best I can. I wish they understood how much I wish I could be rescued from this, fully knowing I am the only one to rescue me. This is a great topic and all of the responses have been so enlighting.

 

[Red Feather]

I wish they understood how much I wish I could be rescued from this, fully knowing I am the only one to rescue me.

This makes me cry. ((((hug))))

 

[intothelight]

I wish that people would respect when I say I have had enough or I am done to take it at face value. Just let me be and when I am ready to resume I will let them know. I don't like it when they take it personally, as it is not personal, it is just that my stress cup is at the brink.

 

[maddog]

I wish people knew that when I lash out and act aggressively, or withdraw, it's usually because I am afraid of them or triggered by their behaviour, not because I enjoy being nasty or aggressive.

I wish people knew that I am more afraid for my future than they could ever be, and that the more they ask me about it, the more fearful I feel.

I wish people knew that shame and guilt and failure and inadequacy and fear and confusion and social awkwardness don't just go away because I want them to, and the more people point them out to me and tell me that they're wrong, the more deeply I will feel them.

I wish people knew that recovery has no timeframe, no prescribed path, and no pre-determined outcome. Trying to prescribe any of those things only causes me stress and pressure I cannot deal with, and makes me want to withdraw from them altogether.

I wish people knew that sometimes, that old cliche about the road to hell being paved with good intensions, really is true. "Meaning well" is only ok as long as people are willing to be educated. Ignorance is only an excuse as long as there is no way for them to have learned better. You don't have to understand me, or even empathise with my life, but please, please do me the respect of letting me be.

 

[Whitneys story]

Very helpful thread. As I am undiagnosed I have not stopped here. Trauma experience is a beast. I wish someone knew how to move through this part without so much re-suffering. My brain is not working with me on this. I so appreciate everyone sharing their painful truths, maybe I am just expecting to much. Thanks

 

[Anna]

What Is The One Thing You Wish People Knew/ Understood About Ptsd Or Trauma?

That it is not our fault. That we are not crazy and deserve to be treated with respect like everyone else.

 

[ericaboo]

I wish people close to me would understand that I'm not looking for sympathy or trying to be a control freak, I am just trying educate them about my triggers so they won't take it personally, and maybe, if they want to, they can avoid doing that thing to me/around me in the future.

Also I wish they would understand that I don't blame them for triggering me, it's not my fault (but I do own it), it's not their fault (I'm well aware of that), and the sooner we can just move on and get back to "normal," the less stress there will be.

As long as someone isn't triggering me on purpose, I don't have any bad feelings toward them. I just have bad feelings - period. If they don't want to deal with me, that's their choice - but please don't lose respect for me - I didn't choose to be this way. Some people aren't healthy for each other, and it's sad, but it doesn't have to be anyone's fault...

Some people aren't very good at controlling what they say and do, and I get that completely - heck, I'm ONE of those people. Don't feel guilty if you trigger me by accident - you didn't make me have PTSD. Am I going to react? Probably. Is it an attack toward you - it's not meant to be.