Question:
Thanks, Nancy! Things are beginning to make sense to me (if it is possible "to make sense" out of PTSD!!!). Omnes – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Nancy wrote: > Hi Omnes! > > Perhaps my problems with memory and concentration are a result of > > dealing with PTSD/sexual abuse, in that I seem to be spending alot of > > emotional energy (or most of my emotional energy!) with my > > issues…does this make sense ? > Yes! > Smile and there will be something to smile about! > Nancy
Response:
Hi Omnes! > Perhaps my problems with memory and concentration are a result of > dealing with PTSD/sexual abuse, in that I seem to be spending alot of > emotional energy (or most of my emotional energy!) with my > issues…does this make sense ?
Yes! Smile and there will be something to smile about! Nancy
Response:
Hello Nancy, Donna, and td, Thanks for your invaluable comments; I appreciate your feedback. I am meeting with the psycharist on Tuesday, and will talk to her about my "jumpiness" which just started this past week (as I said, I’ve been taking Zoloft for just under 2 months now). I should add, by the way, that I started taking 50 mg of Zoloft after 9 months of thearpy (first). Zoloft is helping me, I must admit. Besides the jumpiness and feeling a little drowsy, I don’t have any other side effects from the Zoloft. It is helping me sleep better, too. Do any of you know of any web sites that speak of PTSD/recovery from sexual abuse ? I’d like to read more and learn more. Perhaps my problems with memory and concentration are a result of dealing with PTSD/sexual abuse, in that I seem to be spending alot of emotional energy (or most of my emotional energy!) with my issues…does this make sense ? Thanks again! Omnes – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -tinydancer wrote: > 50 mgs. is a rather low dosage omnes. I started at 100 mgs, and then went > up to 150 after about a month or two. Tell your shrink about your > jumpiness, perhaps he needs to adjust your dosage some. I’ve been taking it > probably 5 or 6 years now, and for me anyway, I’ve had the least side > effects with zoloft, and the most benefits from it. I’d taken many, many > different anti depressants, sometimes along with anti psychotics, and always > with anti anxieties. When you first begin taking meds, you really need to > give your shrink lots of feedback as to how you are doing on them. But as > Nancy said, we need to think of them much like a diabetic thinks of their > insulin. It’s just a necessary medication for our particular illness. In > fact that’s exactly what my therapist told me, many moons ago when I too was > distressed at appearing to NEED medication. > Another thing he told me was "your mind will only give you what you can > handle at any given time." So your memories will come as you can handle > more of them. I’d think "thank god I’ve gotten it all out now" only to find > there was still more inside there just waiting. > I was abused physically, mentally, sexually from my earliest memory of > being, by both parents, so I too have had PTSD and Major Depression from > probably infancy on. Who know’s maybe I was born with it. > Hang in there, > td > "omnes" <omnesgen…@gmail.com> wrote in message > news:1104887672.814513.316750@c13g2000cwb.googlegroups.com… > > Hi Nancy! > > I am taking 50 mg per day. So if you were taking Zoloft for 10 years, > > your system "adjusted" to it ? > > The reason I ask is because since taking it, it has helped me, but has > > made me feel a bit "jumpy" or "aggitated". I am wondering if I feel > > this way because I am adjusting to it….I have been taking it only 6-7 > > weeks. So I guess my question is, does it take awhile to adjust to it ? > > Yes, I am learing that recovering from sexual abuse/PTSD is a > > process….thanks for reminding me!! > > I appreciate your comments. > > Omnes > > Nancy wrote: > > > Hi Omnes! > > > > As a person who rarely took an aspirin (!), taking Zoloft each day > > is a > > > > "brave new world" for me! > > > > I think the immediate effect of Zoloft is that I don’t feel so darn > > > > "victimized". I was sexually abused over a number of years. My > > > > thearipist said I probably have had PTSD since I was 13 years old! > > Now > > > > that it comes out, I have a lot of work to do, I guess. > > > > Thanks for your help. I still would like to hear from others, too, > > and > > > > their experiences with medication and PTSD. > > > Well, I have been on zoloft for almost 10 years so far … I was > > titrated > > > up to 200 mg per day. And, then, when my anxiety still was not > > > controlled, Buspar was added. > > > I hurt my right shoulder in a fall outside (and yes, I am > > right-handed) > > > on Dec. 4, trying to get more leaves out of my pond. After I > > finished a > > > one-week trip to IL, I saw the doctor as the pain was getting worse, > > not > > > better. He put me on narcotics to control the pain … I am finally > > able > > > to make it almost through a waking day without taking more > > darvocette, > > > but I still need them to stay asleep at night. > > > To me, taking the zoloft is exactly the same as taking the narcotics: > > I > > > hurt my brain and zoloft helps me function. I hurt my shoulder and > > > darvocette helps me function. > > > Trying to ‘grit my teeth and make it through to the other side’ does > > not > > > work for me _any more_. I am really trying to learn to ‘be good to > > > myself’, part of the recovery process in PTSD. > > > YMMV > > > Smile and there will be something to smile about! > > > Nancy
Response:
50 mgs. is a rather low dosage omnes. I started at 100 mgs, and then went up to 150 after about a month or two. Tell your shrink about your jumpiness, perhaps he needs to adjust your dosage some. I’ve been taking it probably 5 or 6 years now, and for me anyway, I’ve had the least side effects with zoloft, and the most benefits from it. I’d taken many, many different anti depressants, sometimes along with anti psychotics, and always with anti anxieties. When you first begin taking meds, you really need to give your shrink lots of feedback as to how you are doing on them. But as Nancy said, we need to think of them much like a diabetic thinks of their insulin. It’s just a necessary medication for our particular illness. In fact that’s exactly what my therapist told me, many moons ago when I too was distressed at appearing to NEED medication. Another thing he told me was "your mind will only give you what you can handle at any given time." So your memories will come as you can handle more of them. I’d think "thank god I’ve gotten it all out now" only to find there was still more inside there just waiting. I was abused physically, mentally, sexually from my earliest memory of being, by both parents, so I too have had PTSD and Major Depression from probably infancy on. Who know’s maybe I was born with it. Hang in there, td "omnes" <omnesgen…@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1104887672.814513.316750@c13g2000cwb.googlegroups.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi Nancy! > I am taking 50 mg per day. So if you were taking Zoloft for 10 years, > your system "adjusted" to it ? > The reason I ask is because since taking it, it has helped me, but has > made me feel a bit "jumpy" or "aggitated". I am wondering if I feel > this way because I am adjusting to it….I have been taking it only 6-7 > weeks. So I guess my question is, does it take awhile to adjust to it ? > Yes, I am learing that recovering from sexual abuse/PTSD is a > process….thanks for reminding me!! > I appreciate your comments. > Omnes > Nancy wrote: > > Hi Omnes! > > > As a person who rarely took an aspirin (!), taking Zoloft each day > is a > > > "brave new world" for me! > > > I think the immediate effect of Zoloft is that I don’t feel so darn > > > "victimized". I was sexually abused over a number of years. My > > > thearipist said I probably have had PTSD since I was 13 years old! > Now > > > that it comes out, I have a lot of work to do, I guess. > > > Thanks for your help. I still would like to hear from others, too, > and > > > their experiences with medication and PTSD. > > Well, I have been on zoloft for almost 10 years so far … I was > titrated > > up to 200 mg per day. And, then, when my anxiety still was not > > controlled, Buspar was added. > > I hurt my right shoulder in a fall outside (and yes, I am > right-handed) > > on Dec. 4, trying to get more leaves out of my pond. After I > finished a > > one-week trip to IL, I saw the doctor as the pain was getting worse, > not > > better. He put me on narcotics to control the pain … I am finally > able > > to make it almost through a waking day without taking more > darvocette, > > but I still need them to stay asleep at night. > > To me, taking the zoloft is exactly the same as taking the narcotics: > I > > hurt my brain and zoloft helps me function. I hurt my shoulder and > > darvocette helps me function. > > Trying to ‘grit my teeth and make it through to the other side’ does > not > > work for me _any more_. I am really trying to learn to ‘be good to > > myself’, part of the recovery process in PTSD. > > YMMV > > Smile and there will be something to smile about! > > Nancy
Response:
Hi Omnes! > I am taking 50 mg per day. So if you were taking Zoloft for 10 years, > your system "adjusted" to it ?
I think that it is better to say that my system needs it. > The reason I ask is because since taking it, it has helped me, but has > made me feel a bit "jumpy" or "aggitated". I am wondering if I feel > this way because I am adjusting to it….I have been taking it only 6-7 > weeks. So I guess my question is, does it take awhile to adjust to it ?
I did not start meds until after my first 2+ years of therapy for PTSD. Before I started meds, I felt jumpy and agitated and like Bambi at night staring into the lights of an 18 wheeler on Interstate 80 … a lot. When I started to have some really-difficult-to-control bad behaviors was when I started on zoloft. My therapist and pdoc were very relieved, I think, that I finally agreed to accept help from medication. At six to seven weeks on meds I was not aware enough to blame either the meds or lack of meds for anything. Back to the question: I believe that the thought of any relief (therapy or meds or both) from my PTSD symptoms gave my body ‘fits’. IT took me 25 years to develope my symptoms and finally collapse from the weight of those symptoms. The aftermath of my ‘episode’ (as my current therapist so delicately puts it:) was agitation and extreme startle reflex (jumpiness). I did not experience entering therapy and starting meds at the same time. YMMV > Yes, I am learing that recovering from sexual abuse/PTSD is a > process….thanks for reminding me!!
Recovering is a long-term commitment IMO. Smile and there will be something to smile about! Nancy
Response:
> Hello John De and Donna, > It is so good to hear your words. You speak from experience dealing > with PTSD and you are very helpful. I think I get over-anxious and want > to deal with "everything", and it is, as Donna says, one step at a > time. I guess I have to be "gentle" with myself ? That is difficult for > me to do, so I will say it to myself often: "be easy with yourself!".
Omnes, the "being easy with yourself" is something that is STILL hard for me to do. My mom, my dad, my sibs were horrible to me when I was a child and guess why my X is just that! So it’s hard for me to believe that I deserve to be kinds to myself even though intellectually I know "they" were all wrong to have treated me so bad. Getting that truth thru to myself still takes work….but I’m getting there. Meds didn’t work for me….made me feel like a zombie and I couldn’t think….so I can’t help you there. So glad you found this place! Always great to meet someone who’s not afraid to reach out….out have much strength and courage! Donna – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I have never taken medication before (except for antibiotics, twice) so > this too is a new experience for me. I hear that it takes a number of > weeks to "adapt" to something like Zoloft–can anyone speak to this ? > The other thing is that I thought I had put most of the abuse stuff > behind me then WHAM! new flashbacks. But the truth must come out… > Can anyone give me some feedback on taking medication (Zoloft, or > anything like it)? > I’m having the "jitters" taking it, and kind of drowsy. > Thanks for you people helping me!! > Omnes > bckwrds wrote: >> > Hello, >> > I just found this group and thought I would post and would like > your >> > feedback. >> > I have post-traumatic stress disorder; I am a 50 year old man who >> > recently had many flashbacks of the time I was sexually abused as a >> > child (ages 11-13). >> welcome to this ng. Not fun belonging but good to have others who >> understand. I’m a 53 year old woman who was also sexually abused >> as a child so I know where you are coming from. >> > This past year I was having "emotional blackouts", I would go > somewhere >> > in my mind, and come out of it some 20 minutes later. Now, I still > have >> > these "blackouts", and they are often followed by a repressed > memory >> > that I remember. >> The blackouts will get better! It comes with time. Having locked up >> all my truth inside for so many years, the emotional stuff is the > hardest >> for me. I survived the abuse but the reliving it and all the > saddness that >> comes with the reliving….overload at times. But it has gotten so > much >> better! >> > Also, I have problems with memory and concentration. >> For me, that came because of the blackouts and it inproves with time. >> The memory blackouts were a form of protection…..so one step at >> a time. >> > So the thearapist I started seeing said I have PTSD. She refered me > to >> > a psycharist who has put me on Zoloft. I have been taking it for a >> > little over a month, and it does help quite a bit, but I still have > the >> > memory/concentration problem. >> > Does this sound familiar to anyone ? Feedback ? >> > Omnes >> Welcome again, Omnes! >> Donna
Response:
omnes, I too take Zoloft, have you told your psychiatrist it makes you ‘jumpy’? I take xanax along with the zoloft and find the two together to be quite helpful. <wry grin> I think the door is a symbol for our minds. My shrink always says my dreams/nightmares about a *house* is also a symbol for my mind. In my nightmares, I"m usually trying to slam and lock doors, and never quite managing to get them locked in time, or tight enough, or the ‘monster’ after me crashes through the glass in the door right above my head. I’m also trying to dial a phone, call for help, but I can’t speak, or I can’t remember how to dial the phone, can’t recall the number I want to call, etc. All very frustrating type things in my nightmares. I have a gun to shoot the *monster* but I can’t get the bullets in it, can’t get it loaded, etc. hang in there, td "omnes" <omnesgen…@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1104846992.750011.225600@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi Patnther, > Thanks for writing back. > Isin’t is something we both thought of a "door" ? > The psycharist put me on Zoloft, and it seems to be helping me. But > there are some side effects that I can handle, I think. I’ve been > taking it for about a month. It makes me a bit "jumpy". I have never > taken something like this, so it is an adjustment for me. > I think I am a fighter, or a "survivor". What helps me is that I > exercise in the morning. It kind of "grounds" me. > I think right now what makes me feel apprehensive is that I believe > more repressed memories are to come. Yes, I have handled them in the > past, but this is a new ball game — the memories are more horriffic. > But as you said, maybe it is because I’m ready to deal with them ? > I am frustrated too because of my concentration problems. It is > humbling for me because I have always had a good memory for things. > It seems that a concentration/memory problem is common ? > Thanks again! > Omnes > Panther wrote: > > "omnes" <omnesgen…@gmail.com> wrote in message > > news:1104797789.401867.93280@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com… > > > Hi Panther, > > > You make ALOT of sense to me. In fact, I got "shivers" when I read > your > > > post. OK, I told my counselor in thearpy, "it’s like there is > something > > > behind a wall, and I got to know what it is" – exactly what you > are > > > saying! You said, > > > " It would > > > > seem to me that you are subconsciously getting ready to handle > that > > > type of > > > > material." This is my gut feeling! > > In the beginning I kept having dreams where I was getting closer and > closer > > to a door. Each time I reached for the door know my hand got closer > and > > closer. It got excruciating. > > > When I get a "flashback", it wipes me out. It is like it takes my > > > breath away. Do you know what I mean ? > > Yes it is exhausting. I finally learned to take it easy afterward. > Also I > > found that if I didn’t get enough sleep things would start to > snowball (not > > only an irrational fear of the flashbacks ,which I had to continually > remind > > myself that they really couldn’t hurt me anymore> but also sudden > downward > > spirals of depression. > > btw, eventually I did say ok to an anti-depressant (which I fought > for quite > > a while). I was fortunate that the type and dosage was just right > for me so > > I didn’t have to go through adjustments in that regard. You might > want to > > talk to your p-doc about what he/she has you on. I’m not sure that > all meds > > would have you walking around like a zombie (if you know what I > mean). Also > > part of the mental confusion might be aggrevated by a lack of > sufficient > > rest for the emotional stresses you are going through right now. You > really > > have to try to remember to be very kind to yourself at the beginning > stages > > and that’s not something a survivor was trained to do <grin> > > > Thanks for your help, too!! > > You can get through this 
You sound like a fighter to me! > > Panther > > > Omnes > > > Panther wrote: > > > > Hi Omnes, > > > > I had found that the flashbacks would come back at times when I > was > > > dealing > > > > with a particular emotion that I had shut down as a result of the > > > abuse. > > > > Generally there was something in real life that I didn’t want to > look > > > at (or > > > > was unable to look at); it would then trigger ‘pictures’ of > scenes > > > from the > > > > past where I had felt that emotion and had subsequently shut > down. > > > I think > > > > we have to honor the creative ways that we protected ourselves. > It > > > would > > > > seem to me that you are subconsciously getting ready to handle > that > > > type of > > > > material. What I found was that a defense mechanism would click > in > > > during > > > > the beginning stages of the emotional content. Eventually the > stress > > > of > > > > ‘not knowing’ outweighed the need to keep knowing safely away > from > > > me. > > > > Granted, when the flashback did suddently hit me again only with > the > > > > emotions attached to it, it felt overwhelming and would throw me > for > > > a loop. > > > > It was a double edged sword, the pain of the realizations it > brought > > > but > > > > also followed (fairly rapidly), an Ah Ha moment of relief. I > guess > > > by that > > > > point I preferred knowing. Eventually I internalized that I > could > > > survive > > > > those moments and the reward was that I would then also feel the > > > other > > > > spectrum of the emotion that was held back. > > > > I don’t know if this makes any sense to you but if it does, keep > the > > > best > > > > and toss the rest > > > > Panther > > > > "omnes" <omnesgen…@gmail.com> wrote in message > > > > news:1104783120.359065.12800@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com… > > > > > Thanks for your welcome, Nancy. I have learned so much about > PTSD > > > these > > > > > past few months, and I know I have much more to learn! But I > think > > > what > > > > > will help is a support group like this, to know that I am not > the > > > only > > > > > one going through this! > > > > > I tell you, I have to "fight" just to "feel" every day. > Emotional > > > > > numbness comes too easy for me, you know what I mean ? And I > don’t > > > want > > > > > to be there! > > > > > I just noticed something as I read through the posts of this > group. > > > I > > > > > guess I have to be careful what I write because people have > > > "triggers" > > > > > and what I say could effect them. So I’ll try to be careful. > But I > > > am > > > > > an open person,and I have spoken to groups about my sexual > abuse > > > as a > > > > > boy. The problem is that I am recovering new memories, and the > > > > > flashbacks with the "emotional blackouts" are most severe. As > for > > > the > > > > > concentration, there is nothing I can do about that right now > (it’s > > > out > > > > > of my control, right?). > > > > > Again, thanks for your welcome. > > > > > Omnes > > > > > Nancy wrote: > > > > > > Hi Omnes! > > > > > > > I just found this group and thought I would post and would > like > > > > > your > > > > > > > feedback. > > > > > > First, welcome to our little corner of usenet; I am sorry > that > > > you > > > > > seem > > > > > > to qualify. > > > > > > > I have post-traumatic stress disorder; > > > > > > > This past year I was having "emotional blackouts", I would > go > > > > > somewhere > > > > > > > in my mind, and come out of it some 20 minutes later. Now, > I > > > still > > > > > have > > > > > > > these "blackouts", and they are often followed by a > repressed > > > > > memory > > > > > > > that I remember. > > > > > > When this was first starting to happen to me, I used to fight > > > against > > > > > it. > > > > > > Of course, this only made my symptoms worse. > > > > > > YMMV > > > > > > > Also, I have problems with memory and concentration. > > > > > > Focus, a constant bugaboo for us. :/ > > > > > > > So the thearapist I started seeing said I have PTSD. She > > > refered me > > > > > to > > > > > > > a psycharist who has put me on Zoloft. I have been taking > it > > > for a > > > > > > > little over a month, and it does help quite a bit, but I > still > > > have > > > > > the > > > > > > > memory/concentration problem. > > > > > > At the risk of giving you a downer, being qualified to have > PTSD > > > > > almost > > > > > > guarantees that I will always have memory and concentration > > > problems. > > > > > > In the beginning, my therapist had to remind me to breathe > when > > > > > something > > > > > > startled me. > > > > > > see the FAQ at http://www.astpfaq.bravepages.com/index.html > > > > > > Smile and there will be something to smile about! > > > > > > Nancy
Response:
Hi Nancy! I am taking 50 mg per day. So if you were taking Zoloft for 10 years, your system "adjusted" to it ? The reason I ask is because since taking it, it has helped me, but has made me feel a bit "jumpy" or "aggitated". I am wondering if I feel this way because I am adjusting to it….I have been taking it only 6-7 weeks. So I guess my question is, does it take awhile to adjust to it ? Yes, I am learing that recovering from sexual abuse/PTSD is a process….thanks for reminding me!! I appreciate your comments. Omnes – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Nancy wrote: > Hi Omnes! > > As a person who rarely took an aspirin (!), taking Zoloft each day is a > > "brave new world" for me! > > I think the immediate effect of Zoloft is that I don’t feel so darn > > "victimized". I was sexually abused over a number of years. My > > thearipist said I probably have had PTSD since I was 13 years old! Now > > that it comes out, I have a lot of work to do, I guess. > > Thanks for your help. I still would like to hear from others, too, and > > their experiences with medication and PTSD. > Well, I have been on zoloft for almost 10 years so far … I was titrated > up to 200 mg per day. And, then, when my anxiety still was not > controlled, Buspar was added. > I hurt my right shoulder in a fall outside (and yes, I am right-handed) > on Dec. 4, trying to get more leaves out of my pond. After I finished a > one-week trip to IL, I saw the doctor as the pain was getting worse, not > better. He put me on narcotics to control the pain … I am finally able > to make it almost through a waking day without taking more darvocette, > but I still need them to stay asleep at night. > To me, taking the zoloft is exactly the same as taking the narcotics: I > hurt my brain and zoloft helps me function. I hurt my shoulder and > darvocette helps me function. > Trying to ‘grit my teeth and make it through to the other side’ does not > work for me _any more_. I am really trying to learn to ‘be good to > myself’, part of the recovery process in PTSD. > YMMV > Smile and there will be something to smile about! > Nancy
Response:
Hi Omnes! > As a person who rarely took an aspirin (!), taking Zoloft each day is a > "brave new world" for me! > I think the immediate effect of Zoloft is that I don’t feel so darn > "victimized". I was sexually abused over a number of years. My > thearipist said I probably have had PTSD since I was 13 years old! Now > that it comes out, I have a lot of work to do, I guess. > Thanks for your help. I still would like to hear from others, too, and > their experiences with medication and PTSD.
Well, I have been on zoloft for almost 10 years so far … I was titrated up to 200 mg per day. And, then, when my anxiety still was not controlled, Buspar was added. I hurt my right shoulder in a fall outside (and yes, I am right-handed) on Dec. 4, trying to get more leaves out of my pond. After I finished a one-week trip to IL, I saw the doctor as the pain was getting worse, not better. He put me on narcotics to control the pain … I am finally able to make it almost through a waking day without taking more darvocette, but I still need them to stay asleep at night. To me, taking the zoloft is exactly the same as taking the narcotics: I hurt my brain and zoloft helps me function. I hurt my shoulder and darvocette helps me function. Trying to ‘grit my teeth and make it through to the other side’ does not work for me _any more_. I am really trying to learn to ‘be good to myself’, part of the recovery process in PTSD. YMMV Smile and there will be something to smile about! Nancy
Response:
Hello, I just found this group and thought I would post and would like your feedback. I have post-traumatic stress disorder; I am a 50 year old man who recently had many flashbacks of the time I was sexually abused as a child (ages 11-13). This past year I was having "emotional blackouts", I would go somewhere in my mind, and come out of it some 20 minutes later. Now, I still have these "blackouts", and they are often followed by a repressed memory that I remember. Also, I have problems with memory and concentration. So the thearapist I started seeing said I have PTSD. She refered me to a psycharist who has put me on Zoloft. I have been taking it for a little over a month, and it does help quite a bit, but I still have the memory/concentration problem. Does this sound familiar to anyone ? Feedback ? Omnes
Response:
Hi Omnes! > I just found this group and thought I would post and would like your > feedback.
First, welcome to our little corner of usenet; I am sorry that you seem to qualify. > I have post-traumatic stress disorder; > This past year I was having "emotional blackouts", I would go somewhere > in my mind, and come out of it some 20 minutes later. Now, I still have > these "blackouts", and they are often followed by a repressed memory > that I remember.
When this was first starting to happen to me, I used to fight against it. Of course, this only made my symptoms worse. YMMV > Also, I have problems with memory and concentration.
Focus, a constant bugaboo for us. :/ > So the thearapist I started seeing said I have PTSD. She refered me to > a psycharist who has put me on Zoloft. I have been taking it for a > little over a month, and it does help quite a bit, but I still have the > memory/concentration problem.
At the risk of giving you a downer, being qualified to have PTSD almost guarantees that I will always have memory and concentration problems. In the beginning, my therapist had to remind me to breathe when something startled me. see the FAQ at http://www.astpfaq.bravepages.com/index.html Smile and there will be something to smile about! Nancy
Response:
Thanks for your welcome, Nancy. I have learned so much about PTSD these past few months, and I know I have much more to learn! But I think what will help is a support group like this, to know that I am not the only one going through this! I tell you, I have to "fight" just to "feel" every day. Emotional numbness comes too easy for me, you know what I mean ? And I don’t want to be there! I just noticed something as I read through the posts of this group. I guess I have to be careful what I write because people have "triggers" and what I say could effect them. So I’ll try to be careful. But I am an open person,and I have spoken to groups about my sexual abuse as a boy. The problem is that I am recovering new memories, and the flashbacks with the "emotional blackouts" are most severe. As for the concentration, there is nothing I can do about that right now (it’s out of my control, right?). Again, thanks for your welcome. Omnes – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Nancy wrote: > Hi Omnes! > > I just found this group and thought I would post and would like your > > feedback. > First, welcome to our little corner of usenet; I am sorry that you seem > to qualify. > > I have post-traumatic stress disorder; > > This past year I was having "emotional blackouts", I would go somewhere > > in my mind, and come out of it some 20 minutes later. Now, I still have > > these "blackouts", and they are often followed by a repressed memory > > that I remember. > When this was first starting to happen to me, I used to fight against it. > Of course, this only made my symptoms worse. > YMMV > > Also, I have problems with memory and concentration. > Focus, a constant bugaboo for us. :/ > > So the thearapist I started seeing said I have PTSD. She refered me to > > a psycharist who has put me on Zoloft. I have been taking it for a > > little over a month, and it does help quite a bit, but I still have the > > memory/concentration problem. > At the risk of giving you a downer, being qualified to have PTSD almost > guarantees that I will always have memory and concentration problems. > In the beginning, my therapist had to remind me to breathe when something > startled me. > see the FAQ at http://www.astpfaq.bravepages.com/index.html > Smile and there will be something to smile about! > Nancy
Response:
Hi Omnes, I had found that the flashbacks would come back at times when I was dealing with a particular emotion that I had shut down as a result of the abuse. Generally there was something in real life that I didn’t want to look at (or was unable to look at); it would then trigger ‘pictures’ of scenes from the past where I had felt that emotion and had subsequently shut down. I think we have to honor the creative ways that we protected ourselves. It would seem to me that you are subconsciously getting ready to handle that type of material. What I found was that a defense mechanism would click in during the beginning stages of the emotional content. Eventually the stress of ‘not knowing’ outweighed the need to keep knowing safely away from me. Granted, when the flashback did suddently hit me again only with the emotions attached to it, it felt overwhelming and would throw me for a loop. It was a double edged sword, the pain of the realizations it brought but also followed (fairly rapidly), an Ah Ha moment of relief. I guess by that point I preferred knowing. Eventually I internalized that I could survive those moments and the reward was that I would then also feel the other spectrum of the emotion that was held back. I don’t know if this makes any sense to you but if it does, keep the best and toss the rest Panther "omnes" <omnesgen…@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1104783120.359065.12800@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Thanks for your welcome, Nancy. I have learned so much about PTSD these > past few months, and I know I have much more to learn! But I think what > will help is a support group like this, to know that I am not the only > one going through this! > I tell you, I have to "fight" just to "feel" every day. Emotional > numbness comes too easy for me, you know what I mean ? And I don’t want > to be there! > I just noticed something as I read through the posts of this group. I > guess I have to be careful what I write because people have "triggers" > and what I say could effect them. So I’ll try to be careful. But I am > an open person,and I have spoken to groups about my sexual abuse as a > boy. The problem is that I am recovering new memories, and the > flashbacks with the "emotional blackouts" are most severe. As for the > concentration, there is nothing I can do about that right now (it’s out > of my control, right?). > Again, thanks for your welcome. > Omnes > Nancy wrote: > > Hi Omnes! > > > I just found this group and thought I would post and would like > your > > > feedback. > > First, welcome to our little corner of usenet; I am sorry that you > seem > > to qualify. > > > I have post-traumatic stress disorder; > > > This past year I was having "emotional blackouts", I would go > somewhere > > > in my mind, and come out of it some 20 minutes later. Now, I still > have > > > these "blackouts", and they are often followed by a repressed > memory > > > that I remember. > > When this was first starting to happen to me, I used to fight against > it. > > Of course, this only made my symptoms worse. > > YMMV > > > Also, I have problems with memory and concentration. > > Focus, a constant bugaboo for us. :/ > > > So the thearapist I started seeing said I have PTSD. She refered me > to > > > a psycharist who has put me on Zoloft. I have been taking it for a > > > little over a month, and it does help quite a bit, but I still have > the > > > memory/concentration problem. > > At the risk of giving you a downer, being qualified to have PTSD > almost > > guarantees that I will always have memory and concentration problems. > > In the beginning, my therapist had to remind me to breathe when > something > > startled me. > > see the FAQ at http://www.astpfaq.bravepages.com/index.html > > Smile and there will be something to smile about! > > Nancy
Response:
Hi Panther, You make ALOT of sense to me. In fact, I got "shivers" when I read your post. OK, I told my counselor in thearpy, "it’s like there is something behind a wall, and I got to know what it is" – exactly what you are saying! You said, " It would > seem to me that you are subconsciously getting ready to handle that type of > material." This is my gut feeling!
When I get a "flashback", it wipes me out. It is like it takes my breath away. Do you know what I mean ? Thanks for your help, too!! Omnes – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Panther wrote: > Hi Omnes, > I had found that the flashbacks would come back at times when I was dealing > with a particular emotion that I had shut down as a result of the abuse. > Generally there was something in real life that I didn’t want to look at (or > was unable to look at); it would then trigger ‘pictures’ of scenes from the > past where I had felt that emotion and had subsequently shut down. I think > we have to honor the creative ways that we protected ourselves. It would > seem to me that you are subconsciously getting ready to handle that type of > material. What I found was that a defense mechanism would click in during > the beginning stages of the emotional content. Eventually the stress of > ‘not knowing’ outweighed the need to keep knowing safely away from me. > Granted, when the flashback did suddently hit me again only with the > emotions attached to it, it felt overwhelming and would throw me for a loop. > It was a double edged sword, the pain of the realizations it brought but > also followed (fairly rapidly), an Ah Ha moment of relief. I guess by that > point I preferred knowing. Eventually I internalized that I could survive > those moments and the reward was that I would then also feel the other > spectrum of the emotion that was held back. > I don’t know if this makes any sense to you but if it does, keep the best > and toss the rest > Panther > "omnes" <omnesgen…@gmail.com> wrote in message > news:1104783120.359065.12800@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com… > > Thanks for your welcome, Nancy. I have learned so much about PTSD these > > past few months, and I know I have much more to learn! But I think what > > will help is a support group like this, to know that I am not the only > > one going through this! > > I tell you, I have to "fight" just to "feel" every day. Emotional > > numbness comes too easy for me, you know what I mean ? And I don’t want > > to be there! > > I just noticed something as I read through the posts of this group. I > > guess I have to be careful what I write because people have "triggers" > > and what I say could effect them. So I’ll try to be careful. But I am > > an open person,and I have spoken to groups about my sexual abuse as a > > boy. The problem is that I am recovering new memories, and the > > flashbacks with the "emotional blackouts" are most severe. As for the > > concentration, there is nothing I can do about that right now (it’s out > > of my control, right?). > > Again, thanks for your welcome. > > Omnes > > Nancy wrote: > > > Hi Omnes! > > > > I just found this group and thought I would post and would like > > your > > > > feedback. > > > First, welcome to our little corner of usenet; I am sorry that you > > seem > > > to qualify. > > > > I have post-traumatic stress disorder; > > > > This past year I was having "emotional blackouts", I would go > > somewhere > > > > in my mind, and come out of it some 20 minutes later. Now, I still > > have > > > > these "blackouts", and they are often followed by a repressed > > memory > > > > that I remember. > > > When this was first starting to happen to me, I used to fight against > > it. > > > Of course, this only made my symptoms worse. > > > YMMV > > > > Also, I have problems with memory and concentration. > > > Focus, a constant bugaboo for us. :/ > > > > So the thearapist I started seeing said I have PTSD. She refered me > > to > > > > a psycharist who has put me on Zoloft. I have been taking it for a > > > > little over a month, and it does help quite a bit, but I still have > > the > > > > memory/concentration problem. > > > At the risk of giving you a downer, being qualified to have PTSD > > almost > > > guarantees that I will always have memory and concentration problems. > > > In the beginning, my therapist had to remind me to breathe when > > something > > > startled me. > > > see the FAQ at http://www.astpfaq.bravepages.com/index.html > > > Smile and there will be something to smile about! > > > Nancy
Response:
"omnes" <omnesgen…@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1104797789.401867.93280@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com… > Hi Panther, > You make ALOT of sense to me. In fact, I got "shivers" when I read your > post. OK, I told my counselor in thearpy, "it’s like there is something > behind a wall, and I got to know what it is" – exactly what you are > saying! You said, > " It would > > seem to me that you are subconsciously getting ready to handle that > type of > > material." This is my gut feeling!
In the beginning I kept having dreams where I was getting closer and closer to a door. Each time I reached for the door know my hand got closer and closer. It got excruciating. > When I get a "flashback", it wipes me out. It is like it takes my > breath away. Do you know what I mean ?
Yes it is exhausting. I finally learned to take it easy afterward. Also I found that if I didn’t get enough sleep things would start to snowball (not only an irrational fear of the flashbacks ,which I had to continually remind myself that they really couldn’t hurt me anymore> but also sudden downward spirals of depression. btw, eventually I did say ok to an anti-depressant (which I fought for quite a while). I was fortunate that the type and dosage was just right for me so I didn’t have to go through adjustments in that regard. You might want to talk to your p-doc about what he/she has you on. I’m not sure that all meds would have you walking around like a zombie (if you know what I mean). Also part of the mental confusion might be aggrevated by a lack of sufficient rest for the emotional stresses you are going through right now. You really have to try to remember to be very kind to yourself at the beginning stages and that’s not something a survivor was trained to do <grin> > Thanks for your help, too!!
You can get through this You sound like a fighter to me! Panther – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Omnes > Panther wrote: > > Hi Omnes, > > I had found that the flashbacks would come back at times when I was > dealing > > with a particular emotion that I had shut down as a result of the > abuse. > > Generally there was something in real life that I didn’t want to look > at (or > > was unable to look at); it would then trigger ‘pictures’ of scenes > from the > > past where I had felt that emotion and had subsequently shut down. > I think > > we have to honor the creative ways that we protected ourselves. It > would > > seem to me that you are subconsciously getting ready to handle that > type of > > material. What I found was that a defense mechanism would click in > during > > the beginning stages of the emotional content. Eventually the stress > of > > ‘not knowing’ outweighed the need to keep knowing safely away from > me. > > Granted, when the flashback did suddently hit me again only with the > > emotions attached to it, it felt overwhelming and would throw me for > a loop. > > It was a double edged sword, the pain of the realizations it brought > but > > also followed (fairly rapidly), an Ah Ha moment of relief. I guess > by that > > point I preferred knowing. Eventually I internalized that I could > survive > > those moments and the reward was that I would then also feel the > other > > spectrum of the emotion that was held back. > > I don’t know if this makes any sense to you but if it does, keep the > best > > and toss the rest > > Panther > > "omnes" <omnesgen…@gmail.com> wrote in message > > news:1104783120.359065.12800@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com… > > > Thanks for your welcome, Nancy. I have learned so much about PTSD > these > > > past few months, and I know I have much more to learn! But I think > what > > > will help is a support group like this, to know that I am not the > only > > > one going through this! > > > I tell you, I have to "fight" just to "feel" every day. Emotional > > > numbness comes too easy for me, you know what I mean ? And I don’t > want > > > to be there! > > > I just noticed something as I read through the posts of this group. > I > > > guess I have to be careful what I write because people have > "triggers" > > > and what I say could effect them. So I’ll try to be careful. But I > am > > > an open person,and I have spoken to groups about my sexual abuse > as a > > > boy. The problem is that I am recovering new memories, and the > > > flashbacks with the "emotional blackouts" are most severe. As for > the > > > concentration, there is nothing I can do about that right now (it’s > out > > > of my control, right?). > > > Again, thanks for your welcome. > > > Omnes > > > Nancy wrote: > > > > Hi Omnes! > > > > > I just found this group and thought I would post and would like > > > your > > > > > feedback. > > > > First, welcome to our little corner of usenet; I am sorry that > you > > > seem > > > > to qualify. > > > > > I have post-traumatic stress disorder; > > > > > This past year I was having "emotional blackouts", I would go > > > somewhere > > > > > in my mind, and come out of it some 20 minutes later. Now, I > still > > > have > > > > > these "blackouts", and they are often followed by a repressed > > > memory > > > > > that I remember. > > > > When this was first starting to happen to me, I used to fight > against > > > it. > > > > Of course, this only made my symptoms worse. > > > > YMMV > > > > > Also, I have problems with memory and concentration. > > > > Focus, a constant bugaboo for us. :/ > > > > > So the thearapist I started seeing said I have PTSD. She > refered me > > > to > > > > > a psycharist who has put me on Zoloft. I have been taking it > for a > > > > > little over a month, and it does help quite a bit, but I still > have > > > the > > > > > memory/concentration problem. > > > > At the risk of giving you a downer, being qualified to have PTSD > > > almost > > > > guarantees that I will always have memory and concentration > problems. > > > > In the beginning, my therapist had to remind me to breathe when > > > something > > > > startled me. > > > > see the FAQ at http://www.astpfaq.bravepages.com/index.html > > > > Smile and there will be something to smile about! > > > > Nancy
Response:
Hi Patnther, Thanks for writing back. Isin’t is something we both thought of a "door" ? The psycharist put me on Zoloft, and it seems to be helping me. But there are some side effects that I can handle, I think. I’ve been taking it for about a month. It makes me a bit "jumpy". I have never taken something like this, so it is an adjustment for me. I think I am a fighter, or a "survivor". What helps me is that I exercise in the morning. It kind of "grounds" me. I think right now what makes me feel apprehensive is that I believe more repressed memories are to come. Yes, I have handled them in the past, but this is a new ball game — the memories are more horriffic. But as you said, maybe it is because I’m ready to deal with them ? I am frustrated too because of my concentration problems. It is humbling for me because I have always had a good memory for things. It seems that a concentration/memory problem is common ? Thanks again! Omnes – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Panther wrote: > "omnes" <omnesgen…@gmail.com> wrote in message > news:1104797789.401867.93280@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com… > > Hi Panther, > > You make ALOT of sense to me. In fact, I got "shivers" when I read your > > post. OK, I told my counselor in thearpy, "it’s like there is something > > behind a wall, and I got to know what it is" – exactly what you are > > saying! You said, > > " It would > > > seem to me that you are subconsciously getting ready to handle that > > type of > > > material." This is my gut feeling! > In the beginning I kept having dreams where I was getting closer and closer > to a door. Each time I reached for the door know my hand got closer and > closer. It got excruciating. > > When I get a "flashback", it wipes me out. It is like it takes my > > breath away. Do you know what I mean ? > Yes it is exhausting. I finally learned to take it easy afterward. Also I > found that if I didn’t get enough sleep things would start to snowball (not > only an irrational fear of the flashbacks ,which I had to continually remind > myself that they really couldn’t hurt me anymore> but also sudden downward > spirals of depression. > btw, eventually I did say ok to an anti-depressant (which I fought for quite > a while). I was fortunate that the type and dosage was just right for me so > I didn’t have to go through adjustments in that regard. You might want to > talk to your p-doc about what he/she has you on. I’m not sure that all meds > would have you walking around like a zombie (if you know what I mean). Also > part of the mental confusion might be aggrevated by a lack of sufficient > rest for the emotional stresses you are going through right now. You really > have to try to remember to be very kind to yourself at the beginning stages > and that’s not something a survivor was trained to do <grin> > > Thanks for your help, too!! > You can get through this You sound like a fighter to me! > Panther > > Omnes > > Panther wrote: > > > Hi Omnes, > > > I had found that the flashbacks would come back at times when I was > > dealing > > > with a particular emotion that I had shut down as a result of the > > abuse. > > > Generally there was something in real life that I didn’t want to look > > at (or > > > was unable to look at); it would then trigger ‘pictures’ of scenes > > from the > > > past where I had felt that emotion and had subsequently shut down. > > I think > > > we have to honor the creative ways that we protected ourselves. It > > would > > > seem to me that you are subconsciously getting ready to handle that > > type of > > > material. What I found was that a defense mechanism would click in > > during > > > the beginning stages of the emotional content. Eventually the stress > > of > > > ‘not knowing’ outweighed the need to keep knowing safely away from > > me. > > > Granted, when the flashback did suddently hit me again only with the > > > emotions attached to it, it felt overwhelming and would throw me for > > a loop. > > > It was a double edged sword, the pain of the realizations it brought > > but > > > also followed (fairly rapidly), an Ah Ha moment of relief. I guess > > by that > > > point I preferred knowing. Eventually I internalized that I could > > survive > > > those moments and the reward was that I would then also feel the > > other > > > spectrum of the emotion that was held back. > > > I don’t know if this makes any sense to you but if it does, keep the > > best > > > and toss the rest > > > Panther > > > "omnes" <omnesgen…@gmail.com> wrote in message > > > news:1104783120.359065.12800@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com… > > > > Thanks for your welcome, Nancy. I have learned so much about PTSD > > these > > > > past few months, and I know I have much more to learn! But I think > > what > > > > will help is a support group like this, to know that I am not the > > only > > > > one going through this! > > > > I tell you, I have to "fight" just to "feel" every day. Emotional > > > > numbness comes too easy for me, you know what I mean ? And I don’t > > want > > > > to be there! > > > > I just noticed something as I read through the posts of this group. > > I > > > > guess I have to be careful what I write because people have > > "triggers" > > > > and what I say could effect them. So I’ll try to be careful. But I > > am > > > > an open person,and I have spoken to groups about my sexual abuse > > as a > > > > boy. The problem is that I am recovering new memories, and the > > > > flashbacks with the "emotional blackouts" are most severe. As for > > the > > > > concentration, there is nothing I can do about that right now (it’s > > out > > > > of my control, right?). > > > > Again, thanks for your welcome. > > > > Omnes > > > > Nancy wrote: > > > > > Hi Omnes! > > > > > > I just found this group and thought I would post and would like > > > > your > > > > > > feedback. > > > > > First, welcome to our little corner of usenet; I am sorry that > > you > > > > seem > > > > > to qualify. > > > > > > I have post-traumatic stress disorder; > > > > > > This past year I was having "emotional blackouts", I would go > > > > somewhere > > > > > > in my mind, and come out of it some 20 minutes later. Now, I > > still > > > > have > > > > > > these "blackouts", and they are often followed by a repressed > > > > memory > > > > > > that I remember. > > > > > When this was first starting to happen to me, I used to fight > > against > > > > it. > > > > > Of course, this only made my symptoms worse. > > > > > YMMV > > > > > > Also, I have problems with memory and concentration. > > > > > Focus, a constant bugaboo for us. :/ > > > > > > So the thearapist I started seeing said I have PTSD. She > > refered me > > > > to > > > > > > a psycharist who has put me on Zoloft. I have been taking it > > for a > > > > > > little over a month, and it does help quite a bit, but I still > > have > > > > the > > > > > > memory/concentration problem. > > > > > At the risk of giving you a downer, being qualified to have PTSD > > > > almost > > > > > guarantees that I will always have memory and concentration > > problems. > > > > > In the beginning, my therapist had to remind me to breathe when > > > > something > > > > > startled me. > > > > > see the FAQ at http://www.astpfaq.bravepages.com/index.html > > > > > Smile and there will be something to smile about! > > > > > Nancy
Response:
Omnes, welcome to the NG, I hope you find help in dealing with the PTSD, there is a large number of members who are talented and willing to help. If you are concerned about saying something that is distressing to another member just preface your note with possible Triggers, it is not a 100% but it helps, IMO as long as there is no intent to hurt then you will do fine with your writing freely, best of luck, stay healthy, John De
Response:
> Hello, > I just found this group and thought I would post and would like your > feedback. > I have post-traumatic stress disorder; I am a 50 year old man who > recently had many flashbacks of the time I was sexually abused as a > child (ages 11-13).
welcome to this ng. Not fun belonging but good to have others who understand. I’m a 53 year old woman who was also sexually abused as a child so I know where you are coming from. > This past year I was having "emotional blackouts", I would go somewhere > in my mind, and come out of it some 20 minutes later. Now, I still have > these "blackouts", and they are often followed by a repressed memory > that I remember.
The blackouts will get better! It comes with time. Having locked up all my truth inside for so many years, the emotional stuff is the hardest for me. I survived the abuse but the reliving it and all the saddness that comes with the reliving….overload at times. But it has gotten so much better! > Also, I have problems with memory and concentration.
For me, that came because of the blackouts and it inproves with time. The memory blackouts were a form of protection…..so one step at a time. > So the thearapist I started seeing said I have PTSD. She refered me to > a psycharist who has put me on Zoloft. I have been taking it for a > little over a month, and it does help quite a bit, but I still have the > memory/concentration problem. > Does this sound familiar to anyone ? Feedback ? > Omnes
Welcome again, Omnes! Donna
Response:
Hello John De and Donna, It is so good to hear your words. You speak from experience dealing with PTSD and you are very helpful. I think I get over-anxious and want to deal with "everything", and it is, as Donna says, one step at a time. I guess I have to be "gentle" with myself ? That is difficult for me to do, so I will say it to myself often: "be easy with yourself!". I have never taken medication before (except for antibiotics, twice) so this too is a new experience for me. I hear that it takes a number of weeks to "adapt" to something like Zoloft–can anyone speak to this ? The other thing is that I thought I had put most of the abuse stuff behind me then WHAM! new flashbacks. But the truth must come out… Can anyone give me some feedback on taking medication (Zoloft, or anything like it)? I’m having the "jitters" taking it, and kind of drowsy. Thanks for you people helping me!! Omnes – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -bckwrds wrote: > > Hello, > > I just found this group and thought I would post and would like your > > feedback. > > I have post-traumatic stress disorder; I am a 50 year old man who > > recently had many flashbacks of the time I was sexually abused as a > > child (ages 11-13). > welcome to this ng. Not fun belonging but good to have others who > understand. I’m a 53 year old woman who was also sexually abused > as a child so I know where you are coming from. > > This past year I was having "emotional blackouts", I would go somewhere > > in my mind, and come out of it some 20 minutes later. Now, I still have > > these "blackouts", and they are often followed by a repressed memory > > that I remember. > The blackouts will get better! It comes with time. Having locked up > all my truth inside for so many years, the emotional stuff is the hardest > for me. I survived the abuse but the reliving it and all the saddness that > comes with the reliving….overload at times. But it has gotten so much > better! > > Also, I have problems with memory and concentration. > For me, that came because of the blackouts and it inproves with time. > The memory blackouts were a form of protection…..so one step at > a time. > > So the thearapist I started seeing said I have PTSD. She refered me to > > a psycharist who has put me on Zoloft. I have been taking it for a > > little over a month, and it does help quite a bit, but I still have the > > memory/concentration problem. > > Does this sound familiar to anyone ? Feedback ? > > Omnes > Welcome again, Omnes! > Donna
Response:
Hi Cheryl, I am happy to be posting as this group seems so supportative, and to be able to share with others who are in a similar situation is a "life-line" for me. All this thearpy/medication is new to me, so I appreciate you and all the folks who are helping me out (as we help each other, right?). As a person who rarely took an aspirin (!), taking Zoloft each day is a "brave new world" for me! I think the immediate effect of Zoloft is that I don’t feel so darn "victimized". I was sexually abused over a number of years. My thearipist said I probably have had PTSD since I was 13 years old! Now that it comes out, I have a lot of work to do, I guess. Thanks for your help. I still would like to hear from others, too, and their experiences with medication and PTSD. Peace, Omnes – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Cheryl wrote: > Hi Omnes, > I’m glad you are here with us and posting. It has always helped me to write > and to reach out to people who have similar issues. > I recently weaned off of Zoloft with the help of my psychiatrist. It worked > well for about a year, then I began to feel like a zombie more and more > confused… also depressed. My psych doc said it is not uncommon to ‘hit > the wall’ with a certain med and need a switch. I’m on Wellbutrin now, and > Clonipen for the panic attacks. Zoloft is also famous for giving people > diarrhea, it was just awful for me at first with that medicine. (Sorry to be > so graphic.) > There’s hope. Progress is slow, and healing does seem to come in starts and > stops for me. I had a real hard time dealing with everyone being home for > the holidays… I slept a lot more… wrote a lot more… and crocheted a > WHOLE lot! > Take care… everyone… we are worth taking care of, > Cheryl
Response:
Hi Omnes, I’m glad you are here with us and posting. It has always helped me to write and to reach out to people who have similar issues. I recently weaned off of Zoloft with the help of my psychiatrist. It worked well for about a year, then I began to feel like a zombie more and more confused… also depressed. My psych doc said it is not uncommon to ‘hit the wall’ with a certain med and need a switch. I’m on Wellbutrin now, and Clonipen for the panic attacks. Zoloft is also famous for giving people diarrhea, it was just awful for me at first with that medicine. (Sorry to be so graphic.) There’s hope. Progress is slow, and healing does seem to come in starts and stops for me. I had a real hard time dealing with everyone being home for the holidays… I slept a lot more… wrote a lot more… and crocheted a WHOLE lot! Take care… everyone… we are worth taking care of, Cheryl
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Hi, My interest in PTSD stems from two things. I am a therapist who frequently sees pts. who have PTSD. Many come for help dealing w/chronic pain. I do a little exploring and guess what we discover? Fortunately the physical med providers I work with have been willing to learn about the profound impacts of PTSD on human lives. In reply to a previous post, yes, pain problems occur fairly frequently with PTSD. I also have an interest in the group for a personal reason. My daughter was molested and is recovering from PTSD. In mental health groups circles there has been some discussion of the creation of a new label: STSD, Secondary Traumatic Stress Disorder. Let’s just say that after what happened to my daughter, I probably qualify as someone with STSD. I’m glad that this group is around, and hope my participation is okay with all concerned. Warmly, Wayne Martin, LMSW-ACP
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Hi Wayne, Welcome to the NG. <<My interest in PTSD stems from two things. I am a therapist who frequently sees pts. who have PTSD. Many come for help dealing w/chronic pain. I do a little exploring and guess what we discover? Fortunately the physical med providers I work with have been willing to learn about the profound impacts of PTSD on human lives. In reply to a previous post, yes, pain problems occur fairly frequently with PTSD.>> <<I also have an interest in the group for a personal reason. My daughter was molested and is recovering from PTSD. In mental health groups circles there has been some discussion of the creation of a new label: STSD, Secondary Traumatic Stress Disorder. Let’s just say that after what happened to my daughter, I probably qualify as someone with STSD.>> <<I’m glad that this group is around, and hope my participation is okay with all concerned.>> Well, speaking strictly for myself, I welcome all who share their trauma healing here. Only folks I’d be miffed about would be if someone was posting to further some other agenda. How are you doing with your STSD? Jan [posted and mailed]
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It is amazing how many people with PTSD also suffer from chronic pain disorders. Besides the PTSD, I also have Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy. My very limited research seems to show a correlation between psychic and physical pain. Our minds and souls are stuck in "fight or flight" and our physical nervous systems end with a never ending "fight or flight". With RSD, the nervous system just doesn’t shut down as it should, continuing endless physical pain….sound familiar? I truly believe that my own brain chemistry has been irrecovably changed due to prolonged trauma. There has been some research done on this topic and is available through a search on the internet. If someone would like more direction to those references, please e-mail me at SueBe…@aol.com. Remember, no matter what…..the sun will shine tommorrow. Take Care and God Bless Sue
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Hello, my name is Bonnie. I have had an on-going interest in the affects of psychological trauma, beginning with my 20 years as a career professional in child abuse. I became further interested by watching my colleagues (& myself) as we tried to deal with all the sickness and pain we encountered in our work . I work for a government agency but, despite the rigidity of bureauracy, am being allowed to explore & possibly develop methods of helping my co-workers through providing training, trauma debriefing and arranging for peer support and in-depth counseling services when needed. You mentioned internet references re the effects of prolonged trauma. I would appreciate very much your sending those to me as I continue my education and journey. Thanks/bf
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