curious

[SilverLinings24]

I am curious to see how common it is for people to actually get to a place where you can live and cope with PTSD? I realize it’s not going away and with therapy I am now facing it which is hard but will I actually ever get to a point where it won’t control my life and just stay in the background ?

[Nathalie99 Partner]

Hi SilverLinings24,

I believe it is possible. There are people who achieved that.

Some need maintenance therapy but not as often.

Facing it is very hard but it gives you a chance to get to that point where it is manageable.

You are doing a very courageous thing, facing things...

[Mamamichl]

DBT is helping me deal with it.

[Midori]

Hello there, I have CPTSD, from a violent relationship, but over time I have found it does ease. For me , it was dealing with the voice in my head repeatedly telling me I was useless, mad and a terrible mother, I eventually got angry with it and lost my temper , cursed and swore at it and told it to get out of my head, and it went for a week. it crept back in so I gave it the same treatment and it left again, longer. Each time it tried I gave it the Heave ho. Eventually it gave up.

Now, there are residual physical left overs, I always sit with my back to a wall so I can see the room, and Any strange noise will get me jangling, also anyone coming up unheard (My son is the quietest mover I know), or unseen, will have me in a dither! I hate crowds, and loud noises, but I can mostly avoid them now.

I also have a 'Fake it till I make it' outlook, wear teeshirts and sweatshirts with silly slogans on. It gets a smile out of shoppers, which makes me feel better.

I have moved away to a different area,(technically, a different country), where I have managed to establish some friendships; folk here are so friendly.

Cheers, Midori

[MorningDanceTrece]

Short answer: yes

Longer answer: many people with post-traumatic stress disorder and complex post-traumatic stress disorder do experience very deep and profound inner healing from trama .

[Midori]

It depends, and mainly on you. I used to be a nurse, and I was left with CPTSD after many years of spousal violence ending in his suicide.

I had 2 children under school age, also far away from any family or friends who could have helped, and found I had to be strong for them. I did not want another partner; I no longer trusted men up close; socially fine, but no closer. later, I developed Fibromyalgia.

Even now after more than 30 years, I still sit with my back to a wall so I can see all around, I'm still hypervigilant. Loud, sudden noises send me into orbit (that's how it feels!). My son is my carer, as I am now disabled physically as well. I have a bungalow in Wales, (no stairs!). I have recently obtained a mobility scooter, but as yet I'm only riding it around the garden as my son wants to accompany me shopping, and make sure I can navigate the pavements as they are rough around here and could tip me into the road quite easily.

In general, one would be unlikely to realise I have CPTSD these days. I have toughed it out and pushed every boundary I could. I also try to help folk as much as I can. I also have a dark and somewhat inappropriate sense of humour!

I hope this screed gives you a few clues,

Cheers, Midori