You are welcome (((dawnindark))). Yes, reading the information about PTSD that is discussed in different places, while informative about the symptoms, doesn't do much for an individual struggling with whatever has hurt that individual that created these symptoms.

I just wanted to point out how even animals can struggle when they experience a trauma/traumas too. That Mustang I showed will always show concern when someone approaches him with something in their hand. When I have a vet or even a farrier come out to work on him I have to show each one how to approach him in a non-threatening way and once they take time to talk to him, working on him is not a problem and he cooperates.

As human beings who have a lot more intelligence, we are more complex in how we can experience and process a trauma/traumas. A reminder that can trigger a human being can include a lot more because of how we have a lot more in terms of language and intellectual depth compared to animals. Unfortunately, one thing human beings can lack is understanding how others can be hurt in a way where they are more sensitive and they don't "just" get over a trauma or perhaps several traumas they had experienced.

I am glad you have medications that help you with some of the symptoms that are so uncomfortable. Having medications that reduce the anxiety that produces an overload of cortizol and adreneline can provide a relief because someone struggling with PTSD does have a very hard time consciously regulating their sensitivity that can create such and uncomfortable reaction where the individual experiences a past event as if it is happening to them in the now. What others do not understand is there is a lot of anticipation anxiety because of how an individual can get triggered so easily and the individual gets very confused about "why" they are struggling this way.

When I began to experience these symptoms I was treated as though I was choosing to react and struggle. That only made me worse and even more confused. When I look back now knowing so much more about PTSD, the way I was treated, even by professionals was actually "cruel" and no one explained to any of my family how I really genuinely was struggling so my family treated me badly, very badly. I was being punished for suffering from something that was not my fault. I began to self blame and that was not good for me either.

It is so important to make sure you don't fall into self blaming, you are hurt and you deserve to have support and understanding. You also need to be encouraged to make sure you do not self blame, that you do a lot of self care, self soothing and look for a place you can have where you can retreat to where you feel safe. My place was my bedroom where I could lay down and have quiet and time to relax until the symptoms and cortizol build up would begin to ease up where I felt better. I had to slowly learn how to understand the things that were triggering me, often things that I was not aware were triggers.

Always remember, it is not your fault that you have PTSD, you deserve help and support and to have the time to understand it and slowly learn how to manage it better.

You are welcome to post in this forum anytime you need support. You don't have to worry about how long your posts are or that you need help and support. Others here know the challenge and understand how you may need to have support.

((Hugs)))
OE