Does it ever really go away? - Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Message Board

Dreamsofsanity · 06-04-2007, 11:39 PM

I was dx'd with PTSD almost 6 years ago after the birth of my daughter. It was a really rough time, we both spent 2 weeks in the hospital fighting for our lives. I had a really hard time the first few years dealing with everything that happened, and thought I had finally come to a place of acceptance, understanding and "peace" so to speak.

Now, tonight, I sit and watch something on TV and have a major trigger that I didn't even know was there. I'm bawling and heaving and making a total mess out of myself. Most was because of the memories flooding back, but some of it was because I thought I had put it behind me.

So, my main question.....is it always there in the back of your head? Can you really think all is well, then BAM...hit a brick wall? My husband has no idea how to deal with me right now. We both really thought things were going well. I do not like to think that I'm relapsing, we've spent too much time energy and money into getting me better again.

isitme · 06-05-2007, 02:44 AM

I would love to say, yes, a full recovery is possible, but I have thought that sooooooooooo many times that it IS all behind me, only to find, the same as you, a trigger hits soooooooooooo hard. I'm left feeling dazed, despondant, depressed and frustrated! And yes, it does feel like one step forward and two back at times. Guess we have to plod on, in hope. It's all about the TRUE perspective of a particular situation. So, I would say, yes, it will always be there. The key is to alter our thinking. Although we will always have our triggers, how we REACT to them is what makes all the difference. That is what brings peace and happiness to our lives. The length of being in that 'bad place' for me, has reduces greatly over the years, (especially now I have admitted to myself that I do actually have ptsd, about 6 months ago). It used to be months, then weeks. Now I bounce back within hours, or a few days at the most. Hold on to your happy times. That will steer you in the right direction.

stick2013 · 06-05-2007, 04:53 AM

HI Dreams,

isitme has done a good job of explaining things... I will add. I have many triggers, some I have dealt with really well, and they only cause me some discomfort now. Others are harder and it takes longer. Some I avoid at all cost, and then there are those that I can't get away from at all. I have done therapy, and graduated with honors after 2 full years of very hard work, I take Cymbalta for the left over depression that I deal with on a daily basis.

My recent has been dealing with death, and dead bodies. My BIGGEST trigger. I won't go into detail you can read for your self under the 2 threads about my ANGEL and his death. Facing ones fear, experiencing it, feeling it and the pain, I think is the only way to deal with the trigger that send us into whack mode.

I do believe that PTSD is ALWAYS with us, BUT!!!!!!!!! It can be managed to a point that there is LIFE after PTSD! We don't have to live as basket cases, we are survivors, we can have a life....

This is a wonderful place for support, advice, or a shoulder to cry on.....As one of our members so often says "When in doubt, POST it out." That is forthemasses favorite saying.. He is a good person with tons of wisdom. There are many more ICC has so much love to give, and always a shoulder. I tend to hit people with my BAT to give them the DUH moment, but hey it works.......Come back, read, post... I promise you, it will help....

Welcome to the boards.....

Sid

ICC · 06-05-2007, 05:13 AM

Hi dreams and welcome. Oh the ever so loved unknown triggers. yes we all have them and yes they hit us at any time. Ptsd doesn't go away but as Sid and isitme said it can be controlled. We have to know what our triggers are to get a handle on them. Knowing what they are is the problem sometimes. I have had so many that the wonderful people here have had to shake me at times to see. Sometimes you don't know UNTIL it hits you. Having had many flare ups of my PTSD I have learned that when I am out of sorts you can bet the bank something has triggered it. The you research. What happened, what was said, who said it, what was I reading/watching and what did it mean to me. Stick around. There is a worl of knowledge and support here.

ICC

dustoffkid · 06-05-2007, 05:58 AM

Welcome, dreams...

I'm one of the lucky ones, mine is mostly under control... I go days, weeks (sometimes months) without much in the way of symptomology. Still battle with depression now and then, and some borderline personality traits that I didn't have before all of this. But it's much much better.

Most of the wonderful people here, though, will remember that i had a big stback a couple of months ago whilst watching a comat-related PTSD thing on CNN. Who knew that CNN would be a trigger?

Anyway, yes, there is light at the end of the tunnel, and life does get easier with a lot of commitment and hard work, for some of us.

I will think great big comfortable thoughts your way.

Dustoff