Triggering (ED) - PTSD from something you did to yourself?

Lil'MissLaLa · 09-05-2009, 02:55 PM

I know it sounds really odd, but my therapist said he thinks I have PTSD from my last relapse with my anorexia. I was seriously ill and now I get flashbacks from how bad things were and how badly it affected my not just my body, but my mind as well. I suffered from dysphasia as a result of the severity of malnutrition etc. I guess I just find it difficult to accept that i could have PTSD as a result of something I did to myself and not something that was done to me. I mean, I traumatised myself? I don;t know. Has anybody else had any similar experiences?

whirlpools · 09-05-2009, 05:06 PM

i definitely agree that you can get PTSD from something that you "did to yourself", or that happened inside your head. for me, i had flashbacks for many years about the first night i started hearing voices, and the time around that period. nobody did that to me, nothing particularly happened, it just happened. and it was really scary.

it sounds like the things you had to go through with anorexia were horrible. and the things you've been left to deal with, very frightening. it's like, people can have PTSD about being sectioned and restrained by the police - these are things that happen to people who are very ill for their own safety, but still must be incredibly traumatic.

Ami · 09-05-2009, 05:45 PM

Hey I get flashbacks about the time I tries to kill myself ands being in the hospital bawling my eyes out. So I think it's pozssible. Take care xxx

Siouxsie · 09-05-2009, 05:58 PM

Hey, yes I've had similar experiences with flashbacks etc. I get them of being sectioned, previous suicide attempts and when my eating disorder nearly put me in a coma. So I think it's definitely possible. Take care of yourself xxx

sherlock holmes · 09-05-2009, 06:22 PM

I'm currently experiencing flashbacks from when I was at my worst, and being sectioned and sent to a secure ward.

Popple · 09-05-2009, 06:25 PM

It is definately possible but remember it's not like you chose to have anorexia and you can't be blamed for the consequences of it.
Take care
x

Isoverity · 09-05-2009, 10:14 PM

PTSD and stress/emotional reaction go hand in hand. It does not have to be initiated by another person.

Emm · 10-05-2009, 12:02 AM

Can you really get that??
that explains a WHOLE lot.
I suppose it makes sense, it was a traumatic experience, whether or not it was 'self-inflicted' or not (which although technically it was, remember it's an illness so really it isn't... if that makes sense).

consequential · 10-05-2009, 02:26 AM

i constantly get flashbacks from my time being unwell
its like images and sounds and thoughts come back to me and brings it all back almost too real
not very nice
my thoughts are with you you are not alone here
try and be strong

Starburst · 10-05-2009, 09:29 AM

I think it's possible. In feb 2007, I took an OD that nearly killed me, it was very frightening. For about a year or so afterwards, I would have flashbacks of drinking the activated charcoal. It would happen randomly but I truly believe I could taste. I was once in a shop and a smell must have triggered off something in my brain and I vomitted after I ran out of the shop.

I'm ok with it now. It got easier as I was able to reassure myself that I wouldn't be forced to drink it in the middle of a shop!

Lil'MissLaLa · 10-05-2009, 09:37 AM

thanks guys, i dont feel so 'weird' and alone now, im just sad that it's more common than it should be.
I think the scary thing for me is that despite everything that happened and how it still affects me now, i still cant get out of the grip of the ed and it leaves me thinking 'if that doesnt scare me enough to get me out of it, then nothing will' x