Complex Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

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    Is anyone on medication for (complex) PTSD treatment? I’d appreciate some help.

    Hi, I went (half-forced) to see a psychiatrist today for the first time as my employer insisted for insurance coverage for my paid sick leave.

    I was prescribed with pills for anxiety (benzos - lorazepam), mood swings and angry outbursts (mood stabilizers - Abilify), and some sleeping pills.

    I’ve been on EMDR therapy by a clinical psychologist for half a year now and have seen some significant improvements, and haven’t intended to take any meds as I was worried about side effects. However, I almost went to ER two weeks ago as I suddenly dissociated physically/mentally due to a very distressing chat at work, and my coworkers basically stayed until 5am outside of my place with an ambulance while I had a series of dissociative/panic attacks in front of them.

    After this episode, I’m seriously considering taking meds for just months to enhance treatment with both psychotherapy and medication. I read several research papers on each one and haven’t taken any yet. I’ve tossed out benzos already after reading nearly all papers saying it’s not suitable for PTSD treatment and has severe side effects. Mood stabilizers (Abilify) seem to work some people with PTSD, but others had horrible side effects. I’m pondering on taking it until I calm down from the dissociative episode - but I’m also concerned as I read it might cause rapid weight gain and othet side effects. I’ve been taking sleeping pills for a couple of weeks now, but also am not sure if I can take them with Abilify before sleeping as the doctor recommended.

    Has anyone tried one of these meds, or any others that worked for you? After the visit today, I had this impression that the psychiatrist is not specilized in PTSD (although she was nice), otherwise she wouldn’t have prescribed benzos.

    I’m very worried as I’ve never taken this kind of meds before, so wanted to hear others’ experiences related to use of medication for PTSD treatment.

    #CPTSD

    #PTSD

    Post

    Is anyone on medication for (complex) PTSD treatment? I’d appreciate some help.

    Hi, I went (half-forced) to see a psychiatrist today for the first time as my employer insisted for insurance coverage for my paid sick leave.

    I was prescribed with pills for anxiety (benzos - lorazepam), mood swings and angry outbursts (mood stabilizers - Abilify), and some sleeping pills.

    I’ve been on EMDR therapy by a clinical psychologist for half a year now and have seen some significant improvements, and haven’t intended to take any meds as I was worried about side effects. However, I almost went to ER two weeks ago as I suddenly dissociated physically/mentally due to a very distressing chat at work, and my coworkers basically stayed until 5am outside of my place with an ambulance while I had a series of dissociative/panic attacks in front of them.

    After this episode, I’m seriously considering taking meds for just months to enhance treatment with both psychotherapy and medication. I read several research papers on each one and haven’t taken any yet. I’ve tossed out benzos already after reading nearly all papers saying it’s not suitable for PTSD treatment and has severe side effects. Mood stabilizers (Abilify) seem to work some people with PTSD, but others had horrible side effects. I’m pondering on taking it until I calm down from the dissociative episode - but I’m also concerned as I read it might cause rapid weight gain and othet side effects. I’ve been taking sleeping pills for a couple of weeks now, but also am not sure if I can take them with Abilify before sleeping as the doctor recommended.

    Has anyone tried one of these meds, or any others that worked for you? After the visit today, I had this impression that the psychiatrist is not specilized in PTSD (although she was nice), otherwise she wouldn’t have prescribed benzos.

    I’m very worried as I’ve never taken this kind of meds before, so wanted to hear others’ experiences related to use of medication for PTSD treatment.

    #CPTSD

    #PTSD

    Post

    Moving on from a self sabotaged relationship

    Has anyone ever had a great connection with a genuine person but let their own insecurities and trauma get the best of you, and now they’re gone and you can’t reach out? How can you move on?
    #checkin #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder
    #ComplexPosttraumaticStressDisorder #Depression #SeparationAnxiety #selfsabotage #OnlineDating #Relationships
    #tired #CPTSD #self -sabotage #Dating #Love #stuck

    9 reactions 2 comments
    Post

    Moving on from a self sabotaged relationship

    Has anyone ever had a great connection with a genuine person but let their own insecurities and trauma get the best of you, and now they’re gone and you can’t reach out? How can you move on?
    #checkin #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder
    #ComplexPosttraumaticStressDisorder #Depression #SeparationAnxiety #selfsabotage #OnlineDating #Relationships
    #tired #CPTSD #self -sabotage #Dating #Love #stuck

    9 reactions 2 comments
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    But Then My Apathy, Depression, and Half of My Pain Lifted…

    WHAT A JOURNEY! I have been AWOL from here for five months! I have been pretty ill for most of that time. My doctor put me on two new meds in late September and it has taken me this long to get out from under such nasty side effects that I was literally debilitated. My doc wouldn’t hear me. All she saw was my weight.

    I finally did some research on the drugs’ common side effects and took myself off of them, tapering the dose carefully to prevent shocking my body and reduce withdrawal symptoms. In addition, my doctor had encouraged me to taper off pregabalin (Lyrica) because it did not seem to be helping the way it used to and I believed I was suffering from side effects from this drug as well.

    It turns out I was right on both counts!
    Once off the first two meds, my anxiety and several other side effects vanished. But here is a celebration: when I got off the Pregabalin my apathy was gone! I mean that when I stuck to my routine of hiding in my nest, I found I no longer wanted to stay there. I sincerely wanted to get up and do things. I started organizing myself, cleaning, doing a LOT of healthy self-care. I started walking again.

    I also finally got an appointment with a therapist after a six-month wait list. I felt at ease with her right away and shared my story. In our second session she told me I have Generalized Anxiety Disorder and complex PTSD. What?!

    After 57 years of suffering, she validated my traumas. She heard me and said I’m making sense and it looks clear to her that I have suffered. She wanted to discuss how we are going to rewire my feelings around the trauma. What?!

    I let my tormentors (family members) know about the news that a professional had validated the trauma they caused and to please leave me alone while I heal. It felt like I put down all of my “baggage” and was free. Free of all of that self-doubt, free of confusion, of shame, of grief, free of depression, of guilt, and of even more of the physical pain I had grown used to.

    It wasn’t my fault! I’m so happy it is amazing! I still get triggered, but I’m managing pretty well and will be starting EMDR therapy this week. And I still have chronic physical pain from fibromyalgia, but it is much easier to manage since I felt validated.

    I also was diagnosed with sleep apnea and use a CPAP machine to make sure my brain gets sufficient oxygen all night long. This has done wonders for my brain fog, lack of energy and general sluggishness.

    Do NOT go off any medication without discussing it with your doctor first. But DO look up it’s side effects and make a list of any that you experience… and think about asking for an alternative if you think those side effects are holding you down from living.

    If trauma is what keeps you down, ask your doctor for trauma resources.

    If you wake up tired, get a sleep study. You can do it remotely right from home. You deserve to breathe all night long.

    Get the help you need and FEEL BETTER!

    Drug Info: www.drugs.com

    #apathy #Depression #Anxiety #Fibromyalgia #GeneralAnxietyDisorder #ComplexPosttraumaticStressDisorder #Caregiving #SideEffects

    15 reactions 5 comments
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    Triggered by boxes

    #ComplexPosttraumaticStressDisorder So, today at work I was working efficiently and effectively. Distracting myself from everything in my mind. Walking to and from my room where I was working I suddenly notice a box left near another room. My hypervidulance kicked in immediately and the adrenalin flowed. My mind immediately went to alarm mode and head went "Bomb". No one else staff wise is around at this point and there are two patients in my waiting room. My heart was pumping so fast but yet I was so calm on the exterior. I observed the box, approached the box noticing size, type, identifying marks, any smells. I decide to proceed. So I turnt the box and it said office supplies on it. I opened the box despite my head going wtf call security. Bloody pens and notelets etc inside. Why would anyone just dump a damn box anywhere they like so irresponsible and stupid of them. I head for the loo and wash my hands in hot water first then plunged them into cold water. My mind is laughing at me now and my hands are shaking. I use every breathe to calm my shite down. Looking in the mirror and thinking. I wish I couldn't notice these things but I do. My body and mind have been on high alert since the episode. My heart now randomly starts racing and pulse pumping hard in my neck when it happens. This is what happens after an episode. It's like the body has drips of Adrenaline hiding and then it shows itself for a minute or two. Untill it's diluted to nothingness till my next episode. Hypervidulance is not my friend. He's always looking out for danger. Watching my back. He's my attachment I have to keep me safe. Safe is a keyword when triggered.

    2 reactions 1 comment
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    I went out...I regret going out #MyalgicEncephalomyelitis #ChronicIllness #Fibromyalgia

    So I went to Golden Corral and now I regret going. I feel like death right now. Everything just hurts, I'm nauseous, my head hurts, and I argh. I'm back where I was yesterday. #SuicidalIdeation #SuicidalThoughts #ChronicPain #ChronicDepression #CPTSD #Advice

    92 reactions 27 comments
    Post

    I went out...I regret going out #MyalgicEncephalomyelitis #ChronicIllness #Fibromyalgia

    So I went to Golden Corral and now I regret going. I feel like death right now. Everything just hurts, I'm nauseous, my head hurts, and I argh. I'm back where I was yesterday. #SuicidalIdeation #SuicidalThoughts #ChronicPain #ChronicDepression #CPTSD #Advice

    92 reactions 27 comments
    Post

    Mental Illness and Gun Violence

    We live in a time where we have to look over our shoulders shoulders, where we worry about the safety of our children when we send them to school, we worry about our own safety when we go out to run our errands for the day. Mass shootings have been on the rise over the past few years, just recently the state of California had four separate incidents of gun violence that resulted in multiple deaths within a two week period. When these incidents occur the news reports center around finding out why it happened and more often they zone in on the shooter, the details of their life, and if the perpetrator had a mental illness, they conclude that is what led to the violence. It's a pattern I've seen too many times and it's a pattern of ignorance that needs to end.

    Blaming mass shootings solely on mental illness overlooks the complex nature of these events and the various factors that contribute to their occurrence. Here are some reasons why society cannot entirely blame mass shootings on mental illness:

    1. Most people with mental illnesses are not violent: According to numerous studies, people with mental illness are not inherently violent. Mental illness does not mean a person is more inclined to commit crimes, and most people with mental health conditions do not engage in violent behavior.

    2. It oversimplifies the issue: By blaming mass shootings solely on mental illness, complex factors such as firearm access, trauma, social isolation, extremism, and hate crimes are overlooked. These factors, among others, can also contribute to violent behavior.

    3. It stigmatizes mental illness: When society blames mass shootings on mental illness, it reinforces the negative stereotypes associated with mental health conditions. This stigma can prevent people from seeking treatment due to shame and lead to discrimination against those with mental illness.

    4. Inaccuracy: Mass shooters often do not have a diagnosed mental illness, and the majority of people with mental illnesses do not commit violent acts. Blaming mass shootings on mental illness creates an inaccurate association between mental health and violence.

    5. Lack of Access to Treatment: Many people with mental health conditions do not receive proper treatment due to lack of access to care, resources, and support. Blaming mental illness for mass shootings ignores the larger issue of underfunding and inadequacy of mental health care.

    6. Diversion from Solutions: Blaming mental illness for mass shootings can divert attention away from addressing the root issues and implementing meaningful solutions to prevent future tragedies.

    Therefore, it is essential to approach mass shootings from a holistic perspective that acknowledges the complex factors contributing to the issue. It is necessary to address these problems comprehensively via gun laws, mental health interventions, community support, and prevention programs rather than solely blaming people with mental illnesses.

    Those with mental illness are just as fearful of gun violence as those without it and pointing the finger at mental illness does not solve the problem, it creates another one. We're all in this together and together we can find and fight for a solution to feel safe again.

    #BipolarDisorder #Bipolar1Disorder #BipolarDepression #MajorDepressiveDisorder #CPTSD #PTSD #SocialAnxiety #AnxietyAttack

    8 reactions 1 comment