Complex PTSD...

Daydream · 02-04-2008, 04:15 PM

I've been diagnosed with complex ptsd and I'm pretty sussed up on a lot of what it means (thanks to a little thing that is the interweb), but I'm a little confused about one thing.

"Alterations in relations with others, including isolation, distrust, or a repeated search for a rescuer"

I have some idea what it might mean, and how its affecting me, but I need someone to explain it fully to me, just so I understand it properly.

I'm not currently receiving therapy for my complex ptsd, but I do see a psychologist every few weeks about my mood, to make sure I'm okay (I had 2 sort of breakdowns a year and a half ago), self harming feelings (I'm 11 months free now) and to get my mentally and emotionally prepared for college. My complex ptsd does still affect me still though, I get flashbacks still almost every day.

Sorry for rambling on.

x April x

Stellata · 02-04-2008, 04:51 PM

... always looking for someone who can rescue you from the painful experiences of the past.. for example I always subconsciously am looking for someone who would protect me from the bullies, and make my dad love me. This search is kind of dissociative, as it's in the past, but in the present... does that make sense?
It's about looking for someone who'll look after you and protect you from the pain you went through in the past.
You don't have to have it, to have Complex PTSD, though. For the record I have all 3 of those things listed!

Daydream · 02-04-2008, 05:06 PM

I know you dont have to have it, but now I understand it, I understand properly that I might actually have that problem.

Its like, I become attached to people who I think can help stop the bullies hurting me, even though I'm not actually beng hurt by the bullies right now, and people that I think could help me stop hurting myself even though I haven't hurt myself in a while. I keep searching out new people who I think may be able to "protect" me, from myself and them. It may not actually be what it is, but I've been looking for what might be causing it for a while.

Thanks for explaining :)

Stellata · 02-04-2008, 05:15 PM

I'm glad it helped clarify things for you. :)