What To Never Say To A Ptsd Sufferer

[tgrl]

Saying or writing graphic descriptions of trauma (if not in the trauma section), especially war trauma, in regular posts and conversations, without first posting a "trigger warning".

 

[SunnyBrookFarm]

Chill out / Don't stress / Don't worry about the small stuff. My husband said all of these to me within a 15 minute conversation. I finally told him - that if it was that frigging easy - I would be able to sleep like a normal person, I wouldn't have to pay a frigging co-pay every week to go talk to a T, I wouldn't have to be on an anti-anxiety med, and I sure as hell could have a drink and not be depressed the next day.

Yeah - he decided to be quiet for a bit.

 

[LikeCharlotte]

Today: "Just try to calm down. Watch a movie or something.":wall:

Yesterday: "Just work on right now. I think you wouldn't let yourself be functional." :mad: This was re: a recent breakdown. I started seeing a psychiatrist again after almost 20 years.

I am not an alcoholic. "Just for today" is useless to me. I get so angry at some of the things I hear. I don't like being treated as if I have any control over insomnia, disassociation, memory loss - any of it. I am doing my best. I wish i could just decide that I was fine and actually be fine. I tried that. It does not work.

I am angry right now!

 

[dutchieinPA]

It's all in your head! (My father)

Really? I hadn't thought of that.

Well, you were always a problem child (My father, again)

Gee..I wonder whether YOU had anything to do with my problems.

Just get over it!

Stop thinking about this stuff, it's not helping you.

No sh*t! Don't you think I would stop if I could jack ass?

There's not a damn thing wrong with you, you're just lazy, go back to work. (My brother)

Well, if you didn't dress like that, things like this wouldn't happen.
Did anyone ever mention to you that rape has nothing do with the way I dress?

Why did you put yourself in that situation?
Where the f* were you? Why didn't you protect me?

Why didn't you just leave?


Hmmm, interesting, I hadn't thought of that. And although it took me 7 years to do so, I did, didn't I.

Are you sure this isn't just PMS? Are you on the rag?
No, I'm not, but you should see me when I am, then I am really nuts.

Did you forget your medicine?
F* off.

You're just not being logical here.
you're right I'm not, and I don't have to be either

So what is wrong with you now?

I'm sure there are many many more. Thank you all for posting. It really made me feel validated.

 

[NarcSis]

(That person) must have PTSD, those people are all f*!*!* up in the head anyway!

My sister while talking to me about someone she knows. Now, she knows I was diagnosed with PTSD, I tried to get her to read about it - obviously she didn't - so how am I not supposed to react to that as a personal attack?

 

[fayfair]

I get upset when people refer to people with issues as crazy... I heard my boss refer to one girl as "getting two for the price of one."

Gee, do you really think he'd be understanding if he knew I have PTSD? Uh, no.

 

[SunnyBrookFarm]

My brother recently asked me - does it REALLY bother you every day. (and you can imagine the way he said really - like he already thought that wasn't possible).

No - I've just decided to put myself through H**L because I currently have nothing better to do - YES it REALLY bothers me every day - uggh.

 

[DreamCatcher]

wow

I recently shelled out the cash to see my old psychiatrist to get back on meds, and he said
"I've rethought a lot of things and I think people just need a good kick in the pants to move on"
nice.

 

[heather q]

A guy at work with his head on one side, eyes squinting, his nose in the air, last week said "I'm trying to decide if what you said has merit."

My response "It has merit because I said it, it's not for you to decide whether what I say has merit."

I've been working on a response like this for a long time, I got a chance to use it. :occasion:

Heather

 

[heather q]

Same guy, also last week, apparently is trying to get to me.

"What's wrong with you Heather?"

my responses

"Nothing is wrong with me, but thanks for asking."

or

"How much time have you got, it'll take a while to explain."

Both of these stop the questions quite quickly,

Heather

 

[Manic11]

Heathers posts reminded me of something I wanted to share...

I work as a cashier at a grocery store. I had a really nasty customer yell at me because we had no turkeys left. I explained that we will have more in tomorrow and she is more than welcome to come back tomorrow to get some. She said this wasn't good enough and insisted that there must be some in the back. I explained that we have no more in store at all. She then stop talking, looked me square in the eye and said "You're useless".
I smiled and continued with her order. I gave her her receipt and told her to have a good day. She took her receipt and quietly said thank you (seemed more out of habit or to break the awkward silence). I replied "You're welcome. Glad I could be of use to you. :smile:) She had no response.

Kind of off topic but had to share! I thought it was hilarious!

Manic

 

[Tiger Kitten]

You just need anti-depressants... (You mean the ones I was on before that made me not sleep for a month?)

There's nothing wrong with you...(Then why would I need anti-depressants?)

Stop being the victim... (When you figure out how exactly to do that get back to me otherwise just leave me alone and shut up for a change.)

That was in the past...(Ummm yeah it was chronologically... Explain that to my brain real quick would ya? Maybe then it will know and I can focus on the present.)

You can't blame everything on your childhood... ( I don't.... I blame your childhood for you being the insensitive prick that you are... Have a nice day please drive through)

What do you have to be stressed about.... (Not a damn thing... I don't have nightmares, panic attacks, anxiety attacks, flashbacks, or suicidal thoughts....)

All said by my roommate in the last couple of weeks. So much fun