When People Don't Know...

[Nellie]

When you are completely consumed by PTSD, but don't want to tell people what happened to you, how do you explain your behaviour? Like if you can't go to work, or you can't hold a conversation, or you have no interest in doing anything, or you can't even say what you did yesterday? How do you maintain relationships until the worst of it passes if the other person can't even see the storm?

 

[EvenStrongerNow]

Hi Nellie, I so know how you feel. It wasn't until just recently that I've started sharing with people that I have PTSD. I don't share details. I only do that with those I absolutely trust, but I do just say it. I don't explain my behavior at all anymore. I used to a lot and that just made me feel crazier.

It's lonely, I know. I haven't found a way yet with some of the things that you asked because I just started being open about it. I know what you mean about the other person not even seeing the storm. I know how terrifying that feels.

Others will probably be of more help, but I hope I have at least made you feel that you aren't alone.

Hugs.

 

[Nellie]

Thank you xo

 

[Ed Norton]

I do not talk to people about this only my grandma understands.

As far as my behavior well I just stay hidden. Not ideal but few understand the hell of PTSD not even psychiatrists and counselors.

 

[Britt.f7]

I don't talk about it either. It makes it simpler. I usually just blame my depression. People understand that a little better. I think there are some people that you can share with, and even if they don't understand, they will try to. It's just determining who they are. Good luck to you.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

I'm anxious!

Are you ok letting people know you deal with anxiety? It's pretty much all I say. Many can empathize with anxiety and it seems to be a bit more acceptable than getting into PTSD. With PTSD I tend to think that people will wonder "why ?" as PTSD must have a cause but not so much with anxiety so there are less questions.

 

[Marf]

When I was struggling a lot with my Ptsd (about 20 years ago) I lost a lot of friends. Those relationships are changed forever, but i could not talk about it or explain my behavior. Now, I can talk about it and explain it, so friends can learn if they want.

 

[samson]

This is exactly what I'm dealing with tonight. I have been doing really well since December. I haven't been able to see my T since December due to money issues, but I will see him on Monday. Late this week I started having panic attacks with sobbing. Usually I can put a finger on the trigger for these but I have no idea. I'm alone tonight because I didn't feel like I could trust myself to be out with friends who don't understand me. I have different levels of friends. I have one friend who completely understands what I go through. She has some of the same issues. My best friend (who is a guy) wants so badly to support me and help me but usually the more I talk to him about how I actually feel - the less he understands and I end up getting my feelings hurt and it just makes everything worse. Then I'm disappointed in him. Then I feel stupid for expecting him to understand when there is virtually no way you can understand unless you've felt it. I cry now just writing this. Sorry. I've not said anything to help you, but I do understand how you feel.

 

[DMerish]

My two closest friends know I have PTSD: one of them is also a sufferer. My adult children also know. They're familiar with what it is because of their experiences with other people and their professions. I can be honest with them and let them know what's going on with me, when I feel like doing so. Everyone else I lie to: I simply say I'm feeling under the weather or something along those lines.

 

[Nellie]

I think the main reason I don't want to tell some people is because I don't want them to feel burdened by it or to feel like it was inappropriate for me to talk about. Like I trust them and I'm close enough to them for me to feel like I want them to know, but I don't know if they see us as being close enough for me to open up about something so personal as being sexually abused as a child. I get confused as to where I stand with people, even those who I feel closest too, so I get confused as to what's appropriate in each relationship. Does that make sense? Other people, acquaintances and such, I don't really care too much about what they think anyway. I'm sorry other people are going through the same problem, it's hard when all of these social-confusions and stigmas and such are added to the already heavy burden of ptsd.