The body's cells are imprinted by the past, it's deeply embedded, it takes time and support for the cells to feel they're safe, and that now is not then..
I have Complex PTSD too, but informally diagnosed, because it's a private psychotherapeutic diagnosis, rather than a psychiatric one. It takes a very open minded NHS bod over here to diagnose on the trauma spectrum.
Hi
Its great that you have put this thread up so that we can share our expirences and I do definatley think that PTSD needs more awarness as it isnt brought up very much in the media.
I was watching rememberance day and the commentator was talking about the rise of combat stress amongst soldiers and I think its getting more common now there should be more access to treatment services and more research.
I know a *minor* car crash isn't really traumatic, but... a lot of painful feelings are pushing forward, anger and fear mostly. The angry "part" of me is very close to the surface. We're not even injured. It was just so scary. Like... trauma on top of trauma. Does that make sense?
There is no level of severity as to what defines something as traumatic chels, and even if you werent injured the fact that your car gave up on you like that is a very scary thing *snuggles* i know to you it must be minor but it isnt as it alters your perspective on safety. I can understand where you're coming from though hun, recently i was in hospital and treated very badly, calling 999, the half hour waiting, the ambulance ride, being consistantly prodded and interrogated, awoken and moved around consistantly.. even though it seems minor i've actually been more upset about that well not more upset but its brought things to a head. So *snuggles* keep talking hun x
In response to rosamunde after i left my last college due to my complete mental breakdown due to the attack there.. im a bit stuffed the college here is the nearest next to that one and i really dont want to go back to my old schools sixth form as i found a levels too hard and im too scared to go back to my old school.. i think they'd be fed up of having to see me again. Im rather worried also involving into your conversation above my psychologist suspects complex ptsd.. but when i look it up it says prolonged abuse and what not.. mine was only 9 months? i mean very scary and dangerous for my life.. but how can that be right? They say i match majority of the symptoms.. but i have doubts about that? Also im worried as people are mentioning that im not talking at all about my attack in college that day.. i mean i dissociated for 3 hours and attempted during so its quite serious in their point of view.. i mean it wasnt really as bad as some events last year but it could have wound be up pregnent again and yeah.. im working through my ex and what not mainly.. but what i dont want is to get somewhere and get in control and then that backfire on me.. its not that i wont its that right now i cant my minds sort of blocked it like it did my ex for quite a while i dont know how can i deal with that?
Also rosamunde *hugs* i can understand how difficult that must be, i dont know if this might help but i often hold keys or a rock etc in my hand as its a good grounding (although it doesnt really help me for that) but often its good to distraction like music etc you can concentrate on how the object feels, textures etc. Im sure you've probably been told this before as have i, my psych tells me alot but i never leave the house without something in my pocket *shrugs* probably pretty useless but i dont have a lot advice apart from *snuggles* and that you're safe now, your pains in the past but i know the pain forces itself into the present.
"It is not the strength of the body that counts, but the strength of the spirit"
-J.R.R Tolkien
Moon-light: nine months is a long time: I think for Complex-PTSD to develop it needs to be something that happened a number of times, not just once, but something that happens over a month or a couple of months is enough for Complex-PTSD to develop. I found it hard to believe it might have it too, as what happened to me was when I was very young, but I feel like a lot of the symptoms fit for me.
I'm sorry things are so difficult with college. I had to leave my uni and it was a bit difficult for me too. Are you taking a year out just now? Do you feel like maybe after that time you'll feel more able to cope? Do you think it would be better now to just not think about college for a bit? Or is it something you feel you need to think about? I'm sorry college is so difficult for you. It's really understandable. I struggled a lot with it too, with less reason. Maybe if you do go back some time you can sort out a support network so things are easier for you? *hugs*
I've never actually held a rock or keys before. I'll definitely give that a try some time. I like to have a blanket with me (how embarrassing for me!) and that works well as a grouding technique, but obviously I can't bring it with me when I'm out of the house. I'll definitely try holding keys or a rock next time. I do find holding or stroking something can be really helpful. Thanks muchly, Moon-light.
Which Doctor? I used to love Grey's Anatomy but I don't have a telly any more so I've not seen it in ages. :(
Ugh, my appointment was my psychiatirst has been moved around again. I was supposed to see him on the 10th of October, then it got moved to the 20th of November, now it's moved again to the 2nd of December. I'd really like to talk to him at some point, but oh no. And I really, really need him to write me a referral letter to a DBT group, and I've been asking him since JULY and my therapist says I would already be in the group if she had the letter, but he just won't send it. I have to keep asking his secretary to pass on the message but she never seems to. :( :( I just think if you asked for something in July, and you've asked a couple of times, and it's really important for your treatment, YOU SHOULD EXPECT IT TO BE DONE BY NOVEMBER.
Sorry for the rant, I just feel so let down right now. I feel like I'm working so, so hard to overcome stuff and to keep fighting even when I feel horrible, but no one cares or wants to help me at all, even when it's supposed to be their job to.
I kind of know of the character, and yeah, I see what you mean!
There are a couple of instances of characters I can remember having it... the soldier in The L Word, various people in ER, David in Six Feet Under. It seems like a fairly common theme. Which is interesting.
In ER, Abby gets kidnapped and has flashbacks/some PTSD like symptoms. I think the same thing happens to Dr Green at some point.
In Six Feet Under, it's more upsetting in a way, David the main character gets kidnapped/held at gunpoint/abused in an episode I found really distressing, then afterwards he has a lot of PTSD symptoms... I think he's even diagnosed with it.
so that we can share our expirences and I do definatley think that PTSD needs more awarness as it isnt brought up very much in the media.
