Hi,

I'm new here. I've had PTSD since I was 12 (I'm 56). While none of the symptoms are exactly a walk in the park, right now learned helplessness is especially a problem.

I've suffered from learned helplessness for most of my adult life. I've let it go -- sort of a mental/emotional vacation -- but now it's getting in the way. I've been unemployed for 5 months and can't seem to motivate myself to do anything. Oh, I submit resumes every few days (I have several posted on the itnernet), and go on interviews when recruiters call, but I really don't care about getting another job. I need one, not being independently wealthy , but I can't seem to muster up any enthusiasm for anything. This has been the pattern whenever I've been unemployed, for as long as I can remember.

I live in Southern California and hate it. I'm from Michigan, originally. I want desperately to have my own house in the exurbs and live where the seasons change, again. The only way to do that is to make enough money to put a down on a house and make an out-of-state move -- something I can't afford to do when I'm unemployed half the time. I feel REALLY motivated to have my own business, of some sort (to have more control in my life), but haven't been able to decide what kind of business to have. This has been a problem for a dozen years (meanwhile I've taken numerous entrepreneurial courses).

What I'm saying is that I'm frozen. Can't seem to make a decision or take action. I've tried SO many things and worked SO hard for any kind of success, all without results. I'm just burned out on ambition and doing hard work with no payoff. So, I've fallen back into learned helplessness. Meanwhile, days, weeks, months & years go by and I only grow older - no closer to what I want (that house in the country).

I've been in & out of therapy since 1989, but no therapist has helped. (They all say they think the best thing they can do for me is to listen and be supportive. I have friends for that!)

Has anyone read any good articles about learned helplessness? Or know of any good (cheap) therapists in the Los Angeles area, who can handle this problem? I'm tired of being lost.