[lost girl]

I have ptsd and it is causing me to have unwanted negative thoughts that do not relate to my beliefs or values at all. They just come and go as they please and it is not fair. The anxiety and depression are taking my life away. Can anyone relate to these symptoms or help me get rid of them. Thiings that have worked for you? I feel like I am going crazy and truning into a lost and horrible person. Why does this have to happen without any warning? Also the abuse happened over 25 years ago and since I stopped drinking, which I did for a long time to hide the pain, I have this stupid disorder it is destroying my life. I am a very caring person and love life and people usually. This disorder is trying to make me feel like I am not that way and the thoughts are pure evil. This is a living hell I am trapped in. Please help any way you can. Thank you

[CedarS]

I can sure relate to these symptoms. Therapy helped me with them quite a bit. Healthy distractions work too.

Somehow in the middle of the symptoms I remind myself that this too shall pass, that though it might all feel really horrible and unfair that I'll survive and things will get better or at least different.

I check to make sure that I've eaten recently, if I need rest I can lay down maybe with music or radio program to listen to. Taking a walk might help too.

Watching a comedy can be a good distraction. I also trying to cultivate an attitude of letting things flow. I note the discomfort and let it go.

Have you had a good physical recently to make sure your health is okay? Are you due to review meds with a doctor or maybe try something new?

[(JD)]

Remember when trauma occurs and PTSD presents, it's because of chemical changes in the brain... I think that activity (in the brain) tends to skew many things...and prevents thoughts and memories and feelings from being "filed" away properly.

Try and tell yourself, when you are feeling badly, that that isn't really you and how you feel or think, but is a product of the PTSD.

I know that my accident and subsequent PTSD caused all of my previously properly filed away "bad" emotions and issues (like anger) emerged as though I had never worked through them!

Therapy with a T expert in trauma does help one find life after trauma.