Ignorant and Arrogance

[SurvivingEveryday]

In our lives we often find that people we love and admire can disappoint us because of their ignorance or arrogance. I have had this happen recently with a family member who only saw a situation as "black and white". As we know, there is SO MUCH grey area within our PTSD minds and, though a situation may seem cut-and-dry, there is much more behind the front.

How do YOU work around this? My situation triggered me and made me feel crazy, but the person does not know my history or my understanding of the situation (albeit marred with emotion).

[SavingGrace Administrator]

Hello SurvivingEveryday.

That's a difficult situation to be in and one I've had to face also. I'm sorry that this is the case for you

What comes to mind is the first line of a Scottish song/poem, but as ever, I've adapted it to my own tune and liking:

"I'll take the high road whilst you'll take the low road..."

And ultimately, I share this, because I think sometimes we all are 'aiming' to come together and meet again at a beautiful destination - but that perhaps never does occurring reality.

But it is important, I feel, to always take the high road..

You are right: there is little understanding in general within society of what PTSD actually engenders and it can be a tough battle - not solely fighting PTSD, but also fighting other's lack of understanding and consequent presumptions and treatment of those suffering PTSD.

And this is where the hard grafting work begins: putting extra, incredible energy into going the additional mile, that will help us to find connections again with others - and, ideally, that with our own exceptional concerted efforts, that we can help others to be signposted towards a better way of thinking - if, they are ready to learn, of course

So I learnt to always try to take the "high road", because I knew that a lack of understanding was rife and I had become very well aware of this, as I tried to configure my 'new' life with PTSD.

Society learns and changes slowly.

I am glad that I am past that phase of disparaging remarks from close family members, or even strangers on the street, where i was clearly judged due to lack of understanding.

It took a lot out of me, because - in part - I wondered if they were right. But they were not. They had no idea.

It can be hard to try and be Xtra strong, because of course, PTSD can decimate our energy levels and mental abilities....

So I wish you dearly well.

Know that there are others, here, who can support and understand what you are going through. You'll never be alone on that account here

Sending blessings.

Saving Grace.

[Nathalie99 Partner]

I would work through it differently each time, depending on the situation.

I am sorry this happened to you, SurvivingEveryday.

I think it is hard to explain things to others who are not in a similar situation and don't have enough understanding to try to picture what you are going through.

I think sometimes just saying things from my perspective to the other person, even though they have a different point of view, at least I said something.