Question:
Hi everyone and especially bach1: Welcome. I agree with what other people told you about alcohol. I have experience in this matter; I drank and used drugs to dull my pain and ended up an addict/alcoholic. It made my ptsd worse because when I used it affected my reasoning and behavior to the point that I ended up in dangerous situations. It became a vicious cycle. I’d feel sorry for myself, get messed up and get in another situation. Then I’d have even more baggage and feel the need to self-medicate again and once more become vulnerable to more abuse. All this so I could just relax and get some rest! I’m embarrassed to say how many times I’ve been victimized. So how do I relax now that I don’t drink or smoke dope? I learned progressive relaxation, yoga, etc. Early in therapy I was told to list things that soothe me so whenever I felt overwhelmed I had a plan to cope with my reactions. There’s another discussion here about grounding oneself during flashbacks that has very good suggestions. Music has been a real mind-altering thing for me. I like to make collages when I have insomnia. It helps me identify what is going on inside. I also write, draw and sculpt as a means of relaxing and venting feelings. Art or a hobby can be very healing and relaxing. That way a person can lessen hyperviligence and heal some at the same time. I hope this is of some help. Mao * Sent from AltaVista http://www.altavista.com Where you can also find related Web Pages, Images, Audios, Videos, News, and Shopping. Smart is Beautiful
Response:
Puppies are therapeutic, I hope you’re at a point that you can enjoy them…they’re great for mental health I’ve found (but I prefer kittens – just got one). Kristine
Response:
online: Medical by Category http://www.intellihealth.com/ http://psychiatry.medscape.com/ and a great med search function is found at http://www.mwsearch.com/ and some one on one can be obtained at http://www.allexperts.com/ note: I’m sure you’ll appreciate reports that our brains change a bit in response (and in relation) to stress. The problem comes when we do not need those changes. I’ve come to ask myself and others: "are these feelings real or neuro-chemical"?? Steve bach1 <nrmlgaymanatlNOnrS…@aol.com.invalid> wrote in message
news:0390cdf8.6cf38559@usw-ex0108-062.remarq.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Im a 37 year old physician who has had two death threats on > the job in the last month and then a very significant/real > death threat from someone I considered my significant > other, during a break-up. Needless to say that realtionship > is over. I have been seeing a thearapist here for the last > 7 months or so, and with the tremendous other stresses that > have occured recently, including my middle brothers > hospitalization for severe depression. > At my session last week, I told my therpist about the night > mares, sleep walking, waking up terrified, very > hypervigilant all day long, the slightest thing can just > make my heart race, and the tesion, just makes me want to > explode, run away, and sometime just breakdown and cry. He > diagnosed me with early PTSD and recommeneded, medication, > I dont like to drink but lately have been drinking more > just to calm down a little. > Today should have been a great day, and it was for the most > part. I moved into my first home, more room for me and the > puppies. But tonight, I laid down on the couch and cried > for an hour, not sure if its the new place, semi-rough > neighborhood, sounds, or just feeling like im stupid for > feeling this way and that now on that i know would > understand whats going on in my head. > I plan on keep up with the counselor, but have questions > about medications, specific therapy(other than meds), and > resources to learn more, thanks > * Sent from AltaVista http://www.altavista.com Where you can also find
related Web Pages, Images, Audios, Videos, News, and Shopping. Smart is Beautiful
Response:
I’m sorry to hear of another suffering from PTSD. I was at a similarly hellish spot early this year, and I’d like to encourage you to stick with the meds your doctor tries. It may take a couple tries of different things, but relief can be found. The nightmares, insomnia, panic attacks, crying, near agoraphobia, etc. have been controlled for me with medication. Therapy is an excellent addition to healing. It feels like hell now, I remember. But please be encouraged to know that there are many of us that have found relief from the hell you’re in now. I hope this is encouraging, please stick with the meds. They will help (I suppose you know that, being a doctor). Welcome to the ng, and I hope you find some support here. Kristine
Response:
Wow, thank you for this link (www.trauma-pages.com). I’ve never seen it before. It has some incredible stuff on physiological PTSD stuff. I did a word search on physiological and came up with articles that describe stuff wonderfully. I want to post something that is incredible. A long story that I’ll keep short. My father was abusive and mother left when I was 3. She had serious mental problems that have persisted and interfered in our relationship. She won’t help me with answers for those years of NO memories. Well I stopped communicating with her in April this year since she was just making things worse for me and was discrediting my reality of PTSD. Strange, since she has had suicide attempts and her own serious mental health problems. Well, she wrote an unwelcome letter that I read yesterday. Reluctantly. But then I figured "if she wants to ignore my request for no contact then I’ll give her yet another chance to answer all these unanswered questions I have." So I called. AND SHE DID. Then she invited me (without my daughter – who she’s always felt a sense of ownership of) to come visit and TALK. About whatever I needed to. We talked a lot on the phone, and she wasn’t defensive oranything. SHe told me things that I’ve needed to know for years. I’m calmly hopeful and planning to see her. I’ve begged for this chance for years, apparently she wasn’t ready before. I think 6 months of not seeing her grandchild is what did it, but she wrote that she realized she’d lost her DAUGHTER (me) because of what happened and that she was "there for me" if I wanted her. Well, I’m shocked and amazed that at 32 I’m FINALLY getting some acknowledgment and calm truthful answers about the painful abusive past. I just had to share that, and it feels like a huge step. One I’ve begged for over the years, for her ear, her honesty and her openness. She’s ready now it seems, and I’m accepting it. Thank god that I can. I know there were times in the past that I couldn’t have forgiven her, but it feels now like I can. Its like I understand in a way I never did before. She was a mess all through my childhood. At some point (now I guess) I can understand and accept it. Her willingness to be available and answer ANY question is incredible. I’m pinching myself and feeling a peace I’ve never felt before. thanks for reading this, and I’ll be back to post on progress…Kristine
Response:
Sorry to hear of your current problems, but welcome. David Baldwin’s site is always a great jumping off place. www.trauma-pages.com It will link you to almost anywhere else you need to be on the topic. Good luck to you and the puppies!
Response:
Hi bach! > I dont like to drink but lately have been drinking more > just to calm down a little.
I’ve seen more than one person use alcohol to self-medicate PTSD. It can qualify you for two recovery programs, rather than just one. :/ My suggestion is that you take the prescribed meds and stop the self-medicating. Smile and there will be something to smile about! Nancy
Response:
Bach You describe a scenerio that is familiar to many here. You are not alone in what you are feeling. I agree with Kipco on the drinking. I was a peacekeeper in Bosnia and when I came home I began to drink just to dull the pain. I drank more in one day than I had in my entire life up to that point (I was 28). So the first and best advice at this time is to nip the alcohol problem now while you can. And there’s nothing wrong with crying – it actually helps me feel better. Give the puppies a hug for me! Lesleyanne The one and only chech @ http://home.thezone.net/~chech Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/ Before you buy.
Response:
Im a 37 year old physician who has had two death threats on the job in the last month and then a very significant/real death threat from someone I considered my significant other, during a break-up. Needless to say that realtionship is over. I have been seeing a thearapist here for the last 7 months or so, and with the tremendous other stresses that have occured recently, including my middle brothers hospitalization for severe depression. At my session last week, I told my therpist about the night mares, sleep walking, waking up terrified, very hypervigilant all day long, the slightest thing can just make my heart race, and the tesion, just makes me want to explode, run away, and sometime just breakdown and cry. He diagnosed me with early PTSD and recommeneded, medication, I dont like to drink but lately have been drinking more just to calm down a little. Today should have been a great day, and it was for the most part. I moved into my first home, more room for me and the puppies. But tonight, I laid down on the couch and cried for an hour, not sure if its the new place, semi-rough neighborhood, sounds, or just feeling like im stupid for feeling this way and that now on that i know would understand whats going on in my head. I plan on keep up with the counselor, but have questions about medications, specific therapy(other than meds), and resources to learn more, thanks * Sent from AltaVista http://www.altavista.com Where you can also find related Web Pages, Images, Audios, Videos, News, and Shopping. Smart is Beautiful
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