Survivor 1957 - Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Message Board

stick2013 · 06-07-2007, 04:28 PM

If I am wrong please correct me. I think that your PTSD was caused from sexual crap while in the service???? If that's right, then why not try a crisis center, or rape center, or private therapy??? If $$$ is an issue, they usually have sliding scale fees.

I just don't see the government wanting to help. Don't they deny this kind of stuff to begin with?????

Sid

Survivor 1957 · 06-07-2007, 08:49 PM

Sid,
The Military Is Admitting To Sexual Trauma, They Now Have Womens Centers At All The Va Hopitals. It Is Just That Sexual Trauma Is The Quiet War. No One Wants To Talk About It, The Victim Is Victimized All Over Again When They Come Forward,
I Did Not Come Forward When It Happened,. It Was 20 Years Ago And Reared Its Ugly Head 5 Years Ago After A Role Play At Work. (police Dept) Now I Have An Added Problem. I Do Not Want The Work People To Know About The Ptsd. I Am Afaid Of Losing The Job. I Also Cant Go To A Local Therapist And Sit In A Waiting Room With Former Or Future "clients". I Am Between A Rock And A Hard Place. That Is Why I Have To Drive So Far To Get Help. I Also Am Still Working On Being Able To Discuss This Issue. Thanks For Being Here
K

stick2013 · 06-08-2007, 02:58 AM

K,

Thank for responding and setting things straight. I do understand the problems that you are facing, but.....Yes with me there is always the BUT!!!!!

When I was finally DX'ed with PTSD after a lifetime of CRAZY behavior, the shrink at the hospital told me that part of my healing was to accept it, and acknowledge it. I had to call all of my friends, and people that I worked for and explain to them what I did (attempted suicide) and that I had PTSD.

I will use one of Sannah's favorite words...Shame...Is this part of why you are afraid to let people know? I guess I can understand why you don't want your work place to know, but you DO have the right to seek therapy for ANY reason. Work doesn't have to know the exact reason WHY!!!!! So that would allow you to sit in a waiting room of any therapist...

I would NEVER subject myself to ANYONE that made me feel or victimized me all over again for what had happened. I wouldn't go back to the VA......

T......try and remember the next time that a flashback starts...It can't hurt you, you are safe, and it's only the EMOTIONS to a past trauma. Carry somthing with you at all times for touching, and something that you can smell to keep you in the here and now...

Keep posting, keep coming back....all of us will help you get through this..

Sid

Survivor 1957 · 06-08-2007, 04:29 AM

Sid,
I Hear What You Say About Telling Friends And Family. I Have Told 2 Friends And That Is It. I Kind Of Had To, They Were So Dam Worried Last Year, They Are Very Supportive, But They Still Do Not Quite Know What Ptsd Is. I Will Never Tell The Fam. They Would Not Let Me Breath If I Did. The Ptsd Has Me To The Point Of Only Being Able To Handle Them In Small Doses. I Am Going To See A Terapist About 50 Miles From Where I Live Next Week. She Is A Womens Therapist For Military Trauma, I Have Seen Her In The Past, I Stopped When I Thought I Was Cured, Hahahah. Thaks For The Kind Words
K

ICC · 06-08-2007, 05:01 AM

Hi Survivor........... We all handle tellin gpeopl ewe have PTSD differently. Some need to tell everyone adn some only need to tell a few people they are close to. Even a fewpeople give you the support you need. I asked my family and the other 2 I told to read up on the disorder. I also explained the best i could what caused it, what happens when I'm triggered and the many different things that will cause a flare up. Told them what to look out for. I dissociate so I needed them to understand that. The 5 people that know have been wonderful and supportive when I have a flare up. Along with my counselor and the wonderful people here I have been coping much better that a year ago. Stopped therapy for a few months because I also thought I was "cured" WRONG!!! Injured 5 body parts at work and between that and all the stress trying to et proper medical treatment for so many body parts, I totally fell apart. Had a breakdown. It took me months to get it back under control. Wishing you the best in therapy.

Grasshopper