PTSD sufferer
MyPTSD Pro
Hay MD,
You know, I was on 300mg of heavy duty anti psychotics for years. I have been medication free for the last 4 months. There is no shame in taking medication, it is there to ease the anxiety so we can get the best out of therapy, it is not permanent and I seriously needed the massive dose to get by. I felt no shame in taking the higher dose, I was disappointed I had not progressed, but it worked out in the end. I am 1000% better than the day they told me they needed to give me a massive dose, and I am med free now. This is possible for you too.
I have to agree with everyone else on the work front. If you have something to look forward to or a goal you can achieve along the way, it helps a lot. I did a Masters degree because I can't work. There is no shame in not working or in working, but if you choose not to work, then I highly recommend taking a short course (like art, music or photography or a college, or open uni short course that you find interesting). Some you can do online at your own pace and some where you can get out of the house at least once a week.
I was told that maybe I shouldn't do my Masters as it was stressful and although I took it slow, and sometimes only did one course at a time (my own choice) and took the occasional holiday, I needed something non PTSD related in my life to look forward to and I needed a non PTSD goal. The PTSD can be very all consuming.
No matter what your T and others say, you are in control of your life, and not them, so you make the decisions for you.
There is no shame in taking serious meds, and there is a way back from that to be completely med free (I'm your proof). But, you need to be in control of your life. If you want to work or want to take a break, then I support you 1000%, but only if you are making this decision for yourself.
I also agree with Gizmo about EMDR. If this has not yet been part of your CBT program, perhaps it is time to ask about it.
I see myself in you. You will get through this MD, you are a survivor. xxoo
You know, I was on 300mg of heavy duty anti psychotics for years. I have been medication free for the last 4 months. There is no shame in taking medication, it is there to ease the anxiety so we can get the best out of therapy, it is not permanent and I seriously needed the massive dose to get by. I felt no shame in taking the higher dose, I was disappointed I had not progressed, but it worked out in the end. I am 1000% better than the day they told me they needed to give me a massive dose, and I am med free now. This is possible for you too.
I have to agree with everyone else on the work front. If you have something to look forward to or a goal you can achieve along the way, it helps a lot. I did a Masters degree because I can't work. There is no shame in not working or in working, but if you choose not to work, then I highly recommend taking a short course (like art, music or photography or a college, or open uni short course that you find interesting). Some you can do online at your own pace and some where you can get out of the house at least once a week.
I was told that maybe I shouldn't do my Masters as it was stressful and although I took it slow, and sometimes only did one course at a time (my own choice) and took the occasional holiday, I needed something non PTSD related in my life to look forward to and I needed a non PTSD goal. The PTSD can be very all consuming.
No matter what your T and others say, you are in control of your life, and not them, so you make the decisions for you.
There is no shame in taking serious meds, and there is a way back from that to be completely med free (I'm your proof). But, you need to be in control of your life. If you want to work or want to take a break, then I support you 1000%, but only if you are making this decision for yourself.
I also agree with Gizmo about EMDR. If this has not yet been part of your CBT program, perhaps it is time to ask about it.
I see myself in you. You will get through this MD, you are a survivor. xxoo