Go to To Your Health, by Dean F. Giannone, M.D.
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- Go to PTSD - It's More Common Than We Think
I have serious PTSD, and I work with a trauma expert...
Who specializes in it, as well as brain injuries which makes mine worse. I don't fight stress like the average brain. The problem I find is that it is not well understood in the medical community, much less society in general. Although your article does describe the text book basics of the illness, it is much more complicated than that. I don't mean to argue with a doctor, but I've learned that from dealing with it and my expert for six years. I've had it all my life since a childhood incident. I've never had one flashback to the incident, and in fact, many sufferers I know have not either. My doctor says that this is a misconception, because any situation that can make the person feel unsafe, feeling danger (not necessarily physical danger) plus helplessness can restimulate the illness. It's much more intricate than people believe.
As far as Ukie's question about nightmares, I have the same problem. We work with a combination of medication and proactive thinking...meaning, being empowered in my life and creating safe situations (doing what I need to to feel safe) helps those go away. This is an illness that requires psychiatric care and talk therapy to sort out. When I feel powerful and capable of my life and surrounding, the nightmares stop... or at least lessen. That's not always within my control, but it's something to work on.
posted by
Temple
on October 19, 2005 at 4:56 AM
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thank you
Is there anything I can do to minimize the nightmares? Perhaps herbs or something to help my sleep?
posted by
QuailNest
on October 17, 2005 at 2:00 PM
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To ukie
What you're describing is perfectly consistent with PTSD. It's quite common for people with PTSD to have nightmares for years, even decades, after the incident event. Also, it's common for subsequent traumas to bring them back to the original event and bring up the feelings anew.
posted by
Dean_G_M.D.
on October 17, 2005 at 4:08 AM
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That's actually all very interesting to know.
posted by
Critter_and_Josh
on October 16, 2005 at 1:39 PM
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Is it physiological, too?
Are there any residual effects, that may have a collective impact if any subsequent traumas? I had things happen as a teen, and got lots of counceling for them.
I was certain I had really dealt with the underlieing issues, but when I had a serrious accident three years ago, it took me for a loop. The flash backs lasted for a long time, and still sometimes I will wake up out of a deep sleep in panic.
As soon as I awaken, the fear goes away and I feel fine. I figure this is just my nervous system dealing with the injury and not my mind.
posted by
QuailNest
on October 14, 2005 at 10:28 PM
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