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Concerned Aunt 936, I totally understand how you feel. I also have chronic PTSD from trauma I went through as a child. I have done lots of therapy, and I do take medication...and have been for 25 years. Nobody would know that I have PTSD. However, I avoid certain situations to keep it under control. I also have valium for emergency situations. I do not have to take it often.
You have to remember that the quality of your life is important. Medications could improve the quality of your life. I believe that my medications are safe, but if they reduce my life by a few years...so be it. At least the years I have are better quality than the years I would have had living in fear constantly and having nightmares, etc. Also...having support could improve the quality of your life. You need to tell your children what you have been through. They can be very helpful to you. I don't know how old they are, but you protected them when they were younger, and now they can help you. That is what families do.
I don't know how severe your PTSD is, but you can receive Social Security Disability for it if it is severe enough. I know...because I do receive SSD because of mine. In fact, I received the SSD the first time I applied. It took 3 l/2 months. I had always heard how tough it was to get SSD...not with my diagnosis. There are also many sites on the internet (discussion boards, like this) that are designed for people with PTSD. There may also be support groups in your area. I did not want to do group therapy either, because I live in a very small town. Maybe your city is larger and you would feel more anonymous in support or group therapy.
Maybe we can keep a thread running on the boards about PTSD and help support one another. I'm new to the boards, so don't know everything about it yet. My personal best to you and hugs.
Ruth, have you ever been in Combat? group therapy a waste of time? sounds exactly like my battle buddy and other Soldiers who took their lives. it works as well as AA. It's always easier together. Zing...
I didn't say "group therapy". I said conventional talk therapy is a waste of time for resolving PTSD. A good EMDR practitioner can resolve the symptoms in 3-6 treatments, usually, and have the person back to living a happy, productive life in less than a month. In fact, when EMDR was first developed, it was tested by the Vet Hospitals on Vietnam Vets, and was found to be a resounding success. Then the psychiatric establishment attacked it (probably because the shrinks felt it was depriving them of their moves-like-molasses talk therapy $$), and it was abandoned for awhile. But the new Vet hospital that's being built where I live is going to use it.
In September of 2012 I was the victim of a home invasion. I was actually chased out of my home and shot at. I thank god everyday that my children weren't home, as the perpetrators entered through their room, shattering their window. I was home alone. In April of 2013, while working the grave yard shift at my 2nd job, I was held at gun point. Again in May 2013 at the 2nd job was held at gun point again.
I have quit the 2nd job, and moved to the country. I've been seeing a therapist who has diagnosed me with having post traumatic stress disorder. I completely understand, and have no doubts in my mind that I have this. He asked me last week how I deal with it, and how I sleep. My reply was, "I don't."
I wake several times throughout the night to check on the kids, look out the windows, and check all the locks. When my anxiety is high, I write in a notebook to calm myself down.
My children have no acknowledgement of any of the events.
My question is, what can I do to help myself move on from these events? Drugs are not an option. I am afraid of any and all pills, including Tylenol. As my doctor already tried to prescribe me something to help me sleep, and I refused.
Please look into EMDR. This amazing therapy can usually be accomplished in 12 sessions or less with a therapist trained in the technique.
You CAN feel better and get past this Best of luck.
EMDR and or EFT.
If you google them you will find out more than what I could explain.
Best wishes.
They really work...I dunno how!! But they do. And fast.
I have heard good and bad on EMDR, I have read some say it's almost as painful as the PTSD itself.
In September of 2012 I was the victim of a home invasion. I was actually chased out of my home and shot at. I thank god everyday that my children weren't home, as the perpetrators entered through their room, shattering their window. I was home alone. In April of 2013, while working the grave yard shift at my 2nd job, I was held at gun point. Again in May 2013 at the 2nd job was held at gun point again.
I have quit the 2nd job, and moved to the country. I've been seeing a therapist who has diagnosed me with having post traumatic stress disorder. I completely understand, and have no doubts in my mind that I have this. He asked me last week how I deal with it, and how I sleep. My reply was, "I don't."
I wake several times throughout the night to check on the kids, look out the windows, and check all the locks. When my anxiety is high, I write in a notebook to calm myself down.
My children have no acknowledgement of any of the events.
My question is, what can I do to help myself move on from these events? Drugs are not an option. I am afraid of any and all pills, including Tylenol. As my doctor already tried to prescribe me something to help me sleep, and I refused.
Been there. Hurts.
What are you doing to yourself? Take the drugs! Get some sleep! Some very smart people spent a long time developing drugs for people like you and me, and we are idiots if we do not use them, the same as we would be idiots for turning down a crutch for a broken leg.
I used Efexxor for 9 years. Got my mind sorted out and THAT is how I moved on.
That way I can give strong advice to someone who needs it.
Like you.
I have insomnia too, I take sedatives, respect you don't want to. You can take melatonin, I do, it's naturally occurring in the body, so it's no drug.
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it works as well as AA. It's always easier together. Zing...
Best of luck.
