You Know You Have PTSD When...

[Changing4Best]

...when you take your meds out of your locked closet, go sit in the kitchen with the basket of them in your lap and then stare at them blankly, not knowing where to start or what to do, even though you know were each bottle in that basket is, what time of day you are supposed to take them and so forth. Finally you come out of your stupor enough to remember, and you take the ones you need, etc.

 

[PeeJay]

You only get a few pages into a book before it triggers flashbacks and you have to measure whether it's worth trying to read it again or giving up on the book entirely.

This is one reason why I quit counseling sessions. My therapist wanted me to read some damn book that triggered the bejeevers out of me.

 

[StarChild]

...when it's your birthday (today), and your two best friends, (who were all who remained at last :() trying in vain to call you.... But you're hiding and don't dare to answer their call. For you're absolutely not able to speak to them, because your brain is overwhelmed with thousands of thoughts in the same time. I'm so very sad right now! Since 6 years this day is no longer a day of joy, but a reminder that I'm no longer the person I once was. And that another year has passed, and I wasn't able to put some meaning in that year of my life. :cry:

 

[Changing4Best]

...another year has passed, and I wasn't able to put some meaning in that year of my life. :cry:

((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((SWEETLULLABY)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

 

[zaniara]

I wasn't able to put some meaning in that year of my life. :cry:

You DID put a lot of meaning to this year: since you have shared and given SO much of your warmth and caring in here, to me and a lot of other people. And you gave me a gift and the gift of your warmth and caring was the biggest one! And I'm so grateful for it! So you're precious and amazing since you can give SO much to others, despite the fact that you struggle so hard with untreated PTSD! You are in my prayers, and my heart. Bless you! And I DO hope you managed to pick up the phone and let some people care for you as you cared so much for others that you really, really deserve being cared for! I'm so glad you're still around. A big hug to you if you want one! ((((((Sweet lullaby))))))

 

[zaniara]

You know you have PTSD when you consider a night with "only" stressful dreams and waking up 2-3 times being a good nights sleep.

 

[zaniara]

You know you have PTSD when you first are badly dissociated for half a day and then get the startle response from finding a pot being boiled dry on the stove, not even remembering when you put it there in the first place. And then get the startle response over and over again the whole afternoon since you can't remember where your keys are, or your smart-phone or when you had it the last time, and then get the startle response when you can't find your wallet and don't remember when you had it the last time and get scared you lost it the day before when you were dissociated some hours too.

I dissociate and then I suffer from the startle response over and over again: thus even more stress. I must look like something out of the Muppets. Going around looking foolish, and then startle over and over again. Like a mad chicken! :D When it's at it's worst I come into a room and then get the startle response since I suddenly don't know where I was going or coming from, and vaguely remember that it was something important I needed to do but am unable to remember what it was! :S :D

 

[BloomInWinter]

You know you have PTSD when you space out and take your nighttime meds before you go to work! :wtf:

 

[zaniara]

and take your nighttime meds before you go to work!

:D Sorry! That one made me laugh! (though I understand it wasn't fun at all!) I just thought about how the day at work must have been..

 

[Changing4Best]

...when you space out and take your nighttime meds before you go to work!

I've gotten them out ready to take them in the morning, but thankfully caught myself before I popped them in my mouth. None the less, this is an awful thing, as some meds can only be taken once per day and if you have already taken it, you miss it then later when you need it the most!

My heart goes out to you.

 

[PeeJay]

You know you have PTSD when you space out and take your nighttime meds before you go to work!

I have taken my night meds twice in a night and have had to go to the ER to be observed.

 

[BlackbirdSinging]

When your therapist asks you if you had a specific memory that just surfaced blocked. And you can't do anything but stare at her and say you guess so because you just can't remember.