How is your post-traumatic stress disorder being treated?
By Leca
@lecanis (16647)
Murfreesboro, Tennessee
November 15, 2007 2:38pm CST
I haven't really been in any form of treatment for a while, but I'm going to get a new therapist I think. I had been doing better on my own, and then as I mentioned in a previous discussion, I had a bit of a breakdown over the weekend. I still feel really weird. I keep smelling and feeling things, as if I'm just on the edge of a full-blown flashback, which entails essentially an assault on all my senses. So I'm thinking about what I can do for my PTSD, but the last time I was in treatment it was just therapy, I wasn't on any medicine or anything.
This made me wonder how other people who are in treatment have done. Do you take medicine? Is it just therapy? How does it help you? How much do you feel you have progressed with treatment as opposed to without?
My husband seems to think that I should be able to take a pill that will just make it all go away or something... I want to get some information from other people about their experiences to share with him, so he (and I) will have more reasonable expectations.
1 person likes this
2 responses
@funnysis (2619)
• United States
21 Dec 07
I have severe PTSD and am on medication as well as therapy.I have been for years and I still have bad times for the most part somethings you just don't forget but you have to find the good that came from it that is what helps me I know somethings could have been worse and I am still alive so even though I have alot of bad days I cherish everyday,life has been rough for me,believing in GOD helps alot as well.I wish you luck and will keep you in my prayers and if you need to talk I am a good listner.Have a great day.
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@funnysis (2619)
• United States
21 Dec 07
I have a multiple of health problems as well but I am bipolar as well so I have to be on medication and it helps a little I think all beleives on PTSD are very different and you have to go with what works for you but I am here if you just want to talk I wish you well and thank you Have a great day.
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@lecanis (16647)
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee
21 Dec 07
Oh, I wasn't talking about beliefs about PTSD, but your mention of God. :)
Right now I'm in therapy and I think it's helping some, but I think what's really getting me is just all the other stuff going on in my life right now making the PTSD worse. I've been having some issues with my marriage, money issues, fear of losing my job over illness, health issues, all sorts of things, so I think those things just make everything else worse. Hopefully it'll be better once those things get cleared up some.
Thanks for your kindness! :)
@lecanis (16647)
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee
21 Dec 07
Hi Funnysis. :)
I'm actually back in therapy at the moment, though I'm not on any medications for it still. Since I have so many health problems, adding medications is something they don't want to do unless I totally go around the bend, because of interactions and stuff.
I'm glad that your beliefs help you... mine help me a lot as well, though they're different from yours. :)
@cindyinc70 (115)
•
16 Nov 07
It takes time to work through PTSD. Sometimes years. If your symptoms are intereering with your everyday life, medication is something to consider. I was on Zoloft for a while and honestly, it saved my life.
I have recently found that Niacin really helps me with anxiety and all that stuff. I take a 500 mg capsule every morning and it keeps my anxiety levels normal and my mood completly stable. I found the Niacin at Walmart for only $12. I was told that you only need to take 250 mg but all I found was the 500 (no flush) and it really helps me. I don't like missing it because I can tell.
It is found in the vitiman section
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@lecanis (16647)
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee
17 Nov 07
I've heard of using Niacin for anxiety, but to be honest I've never really related my PTSD to anxiety. They seem like totally different issues to me. I mean, I guess it makes me anxious, but the whole flashbacks I get and stuff seem like a lot more than anxiety to me. Hmm. I'll have to give it some thought.
@cindyinc70 (115)
•
17 Nov 07
Well the thing is..the PTSD causes or will enhance the anxiety you have.
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