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I am suffering from post traumatic stress disorder

Posted By Sheri (Hamilton, Ontario, Canada) on 10/01/2009

I am suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and having a lot of side effects from the meds. I can't go off them as the anxiety and depression is really bad without them and I've had suicidal thoughts. I am looking for some suggestions and help ---if you know of anything please post.

Thanks
Sheri
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Replied by Kathy (Dubois, Pa) on 10/01/2009

You have to deal with the memories that are causing the PTSD. I know because that is what I had to do. It is unacknowleged memories and feelings about things that happened to you that gives you the problem, because when things happen that remind you, even subconciously, or unconciously, of what happened, you get a flashback and a stress reaction. Nothing can make the memories go away, be over time, if you face them, they lose their "sting". Whatever you do, do not harm yourself. Put yourself in the hospital if you have to, but DO NOT HARM YOURSELF. You want to know why you shouldn't harm yourself? Because LIVING WELL IS THE BEST REVENGE. So write a journal, paint the memories, dance them out, talk them out to yourself...whatever it takes. And don't be afraid of the feelings, because those feelings belong to the past. They may feel like they belong to the Now, but they don't. If it gets very bad, look around, and realize that NOW, IN THE LIVING MOMENT, YOU ARE SAFE. If you are in a situation that is not safe (boyfriend problems or whatever) take the steps you need to take to procure safety for youself.
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Replied by Hope (Sacramento, Ca) on 10/01/2009

Sheri - You might want to consider EFT (emotional freedom technique). It has proven very successful for Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome and many other things. Here is wishing you the very best ...
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Replied by M (Los Angeles, Ca) on 10/11/2009

Sheri - Please consider looking into Vipassana meditation. It is not an organization or school or cult, I guess it is probably better described as a 'technique' - a very teachable way to meditate that is quite simple. It literally saved my life after I developed PTSD that left me agoraphobic, unable to make eye contact, unemployable, on pills I didn't need..that was two years ago. I am quite literally a different person now, but strangely, more like I was as a kid, before the trauma. Please consider looking into it, it saved my life.
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Replied by Bunny (Santa Ana`, Ca) on 10/11/2009

I can't help with the PTSD but I can suggest you try lactium. It's derived from milk and is the reason warm milk before bed relaxes you. There are no side effects and it won't make you dopey or cause problems for the lactose intolerant. If it helps, you might be able to cut back the meds enough to make the side effects more managable. I haven't seen lactium at my local healthfood store. You may have to search online for a source. Another thing I would definitely do is get your adrenal glands checked. Long term stress will crush adrenal function. Saliva tests are better than blood tests. If you can't get your doctor to order it for you (most conventionally trained docs don't believe in hypoadrenia) go online and look. Poor adrenal function will trigger anxiety attacks no matter what your situation is.
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Replied by Sarah (Lillooet, Bc Canada) on 02/10/2010

PTSD debilitated me for quite a long time. I am only just starting to feel free again. Here are some things that helped me get through.

- find friends who can discuss things with you, give you support, and just be there when needed. I didn't try it, but group counselling is also supposed to be very good. There are even on-line groups for pretty much any issue.

- counselling (finding a good counsellor is difficult, but once you do, it can make all the difference)

- allow yourself the time to heal. Humans are amazingly adaptable creatures who can recover from the most traumatic of events. For a while there, I did not think that I would find myself healed, but here I am back on track again finally. I can't say it was an easy journey, but recovery, when it finally comes, is a true miracle

- making sure you find safe ways of enjoying life, whatever that means to you. For me, things like being in nature, gardening, playing volleyball, doing art, reading, yoga, dancing, and travelling have all helped me to get through. For others, it might be something totally different, but it doesn't matter. Whatever you find that helps is what you have to do

- Writing it all down. I wrote it all down over and over again, burning thousands of pieces of paper in the process, but the important thing was to get it out of me in whatever way I could. It helped.

- The process of learning to accept yourself, in whatever form you are, and with whatever limitations you have, is very healing. Healing is not something you can rush, so we have to be ok with where we are in the now and be able to accept ourselves lovingly regardless. As I let myself just be, gradually my limitations expand, and little by little I get better.

- Medication - I found that I needed to take an anti-depressant for a while. I hated that. I resisted it for as long as I could, but in the end, it became necessary. It worked to just give me enough distance from my trauma to be able to move on and helped me to see new ways of looking at my problems.

- Healthy eating and exercise. It's hard when you're not feeling well, but taking care of your body really helps a lot with the stress. Take your vitamins too. Everyday.

- Seek help when you are overwhelmed. This is very hard, but very important. Call a friend, a crisis line, go to your doctor. There are people out there to help you. You don't have to face this all alone. There is a lot of support out there, but you have to take advantage of it. I particularly find the crisis line very helpful because it means you don't have to bother your friends at 3 in the morning.

I hope this helps a little. PTSD is so hard, but it can be overcome. I believe that. Take care of yourself.
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