C-PTSD after ppp

[Creativeyellow]

Hi, haven't posted for awhile but was wondering if any one else has been suspected/diagnosed with C-PTSD or ptsd after their experience and episode of postpartum psychosis? I was diagnosed with Bipolar on the mother and baby unit after the birth of my daughter in 2021. I have been stable since in that I haven't had another psychotic episode since being on mood stabilisers. Previous to the birth of my daughter , I was thought to have stress induced psychosis (3 times, two times sectioned) which was undiagnosed Bipolar at the time.

Nowadays though I'm generally ok, however have been back and forth for a whole year fighting for adequate support / therapy from my local CMHT. I have been wanting EDMR therapy as my student psychotherapist from a local charity recommended this as a good way to 'file away' traumatic events properly.

My CMHT would not give me this as they feared it could cause a relapse in psychosis, but I was passed back and forth between so many different teams and people for them to come to this decision on their own without even meeting me in person.

I filed a formal complaint against them back in early October, and still awaiting the response, however they have already apologized and said they have found multiple missed opportunities to involve me in my care, and shortcomings.

After reading my medical notes from them, I found that they had mentioned that I don't fit the typical PTSD symptoms but more C-PTSD, but no one has ever told me this in person, just something I found out on my notes. It's all been very impersonal and frustrating!

It's so draining advocating for yourself isn't it sometimes? I still haven't got anywhere with it, still suffer with dissociation randomly especially when stressed and overwhelmed, still find certain environments too overwhelming, flashbacks etc. And still very disappointed in the lack of support from the CMHT.

I'm not really sure what I'm after with this post, it has helped to write it down though although there's a lot more to it.. this post is already long enough haha.

Has anyone had EMDR therapy or suffer with C-PTSD/PTSD?

[MsBeau]

hi x

I think I have some form of PTSD.. mostly from feeling so ignored and dismissed when I went to A&E to get help. I was sectioned and transported in the middle of the night to the MBU and still don’t feel that was the right option for me. I’d consented to going to the MBU and should have been allowed to be dropped off during the day, not in the middle of the night like a criminal, but my sister.

I have also filed complaints and legal claims and seemingly getting nowhere with them. I’m exhausted and drained from the process too, feel like just giving up most days but… I know I can’t. Maybe I just need a proper break from it over Xmas.

I did EMDR therapy a short while back and it really helped me to cut out the negative thoughts and feelings I still have from being sectioned. I would recommend it, and hope you can access it soon if you think it would help.

I’m also trying to get a diagnosis of PTSD or maybe even C-PTSD as I’m still struggling with the aftermath of my treatment.

what’s very apparent is that the mental health act is outdated and in desperate need of reform. I was sectioned without even being interviewed properly by the AMHP and doctors and still can’t wrap my head around how it happened, it was just so unjust. And abhorrent, that a persons liberty can be deprived without a full assessment..

I’m also on the pathway for bipolar..

Sounds like we may have a few things in common so DM me if you feel you’d benefit from a little chat x

[RolandDeschain Volunteer]

My Wife had EMDR, when she described it to me I was sceptical but it worked wonders for her she had a history of trauma but my understanding at a basic level is it is useful for trauma as it challenges you to process the trauma but in a more controlled way we were lucky to have a brilliant team of mental health professionals but it's was still frustrating at times.

I think, often it all depends on what the therapists in your area specialise in which again is frustrating from a consistency point of view.

Just keep plugging away at them.

[Pinkdisney Volunteer]

Hi Creative Yellow,

I’m sorry you are feeling so let down and are still suffering some trauma.

I experienced PP with my daughter in April 2020 and was treated at home due to COVID restrictions. I felt very let down by the ‘system’ and that I wasn’t treated in the best way.

I wasn’t really aware that I was also experiencing PTSD until the following year when it was April and my daughter’s 1st birthday. I heard certain sounds that were very triggering-i.e-birds tweeting, sun shining through the curtains and the bin men collecting bins.

I decided to look for a birth trauma specialist privately and spoke to them about how I was feeling. She did say she would have to speak to her boss to discuss whether it would be the right treatment for me as she had never treated someone who had experienced PP.

I attended about 5 zoom sessions with her and did EMDR therapy and some hypnotherapy. I found it extremely helpful and although I can’t say I don’t sometimes have those triggers again, I now have the tools to deal with it and put myself in a better position.

I hope this is helpful for you and hope you find a way to ease your trauma and upset.

[Hidden]

I suffered ppp back in January and unfortunately the psychotic episode unlocked a part of my brain that had protected me all these years and all my childhood trauma came flooding back and was diagnosed with complex ptsd that i struggle with daily now I have not had any other episodes since and I have tried trauma therapy but I rushed into to soon and too much so I slowly have to start again with the therapy but I’m hopeful for the future

[Rachel_at_APP Partner APP in reply to Hidden]

Hi HakimsAmmA, I'm so sorry to hear of your experience of PP, but also to hear that something about the experience has brought trauma from your childhood to the fore.

Do take great care of yourself, and know that we are here throughout Christmas on the forum to offer peer support every day here.

I'm hopeful for you that with support and maybe talking therapy(?) you'll be able to help make sense of what happened. I'm glad that you're feeling hopeful for the future, there is always hope even on the darkest of days, or in the darkest of moments. I think many of us know that now, able to look back on my own PP experience from 2016, there really was always hope there somewhere.

Take care, Rachel x

[Hidden in reply to Rachel_at_APP]

Thank you so much I appreciate it so very much 😊

[Lilybeth Volunteer in reply to Hidden]

Hello HakimsAmmA

Welcome to this brilliant band of mothers! I’m so sorry that you suffered pp and have been diagnosed with complex ptsd, triggered by a trauma in childhood.

I do hope the therapy will help you. I also had trauma in my childhood and I’m not sure that so many years ago in my case, ptsd was a recognised disorder. I did write myself a verse beginning “Childhood trauma … was that the trigger of my PP when I was bigger?” At the moment with the various sad cases in the news I find it quite triggering.

I just wanted to mention NAPAC (National Association of People Abused in Childhood) at napac.org.uk as a support outlet. I have spoken a few times to their support team over the years and they have been a comfort. So perhaps this might be an outlet for you to talk and be understood? I kept my trauma to myself as at the age of six I was so afraid of what my abuser would do if I spoke to anyone.

We are all amazing and the future is very hopeful 🌻

[Hidden]

you are so brave thank you so much 😊 I feel very blessed you could also share your experience and I’m sorry you had to suffer all these years with that very heavy pain no child should have to bare 😞 I’m very hopeful for recovery I know it will be slow and take time xx

[Lilybeth Volunteer in reply to Hidden]

Hello HakimsAmmm

Thank you for your kind words. I think you are brave too, recovering from pp is a challenge in itself and you are also dealing with complex ptsd on a daily basis.

Although I don’t know what is involved in trauma therapy, I imagine you will have to face the fear of a very distressing time in your childhood. I hope you will be able to process the therapy at a slower pace. Sometimes as with pp, we just expect to pick up where we left off without realising how much we have been through. We are now strong women and had no choice in our childhood, or when pp struck …. it wasn’t our fault.

Take good care of yourself. We are all here along the way. xx