[frwlkr31]

Hello, I am a hurricaine katrina evacuee and fema case worker said that she thought i was suffering from ptsd. I donot know much about this but here are some of the symptons i am having. I sleep only about 2 hours, over eating, i have near panic state when leaving and going anywhere, fema gave us a motel room because we are staying in a storage room in the back of my wife's mothers house with nothing but a room heater and we went there and tried to stay but it was like i was dying and i couldn't stand it. I feel exhausted all the time, probably from not sleeping. I guess it feels like my life ended when that storm hit. Any help with this would be appreciated

Hi Frwlkr, Welcome to PC!
Sorry about your having to go through Katrina.

It must be extremely stressful losing everything you've known. That would make anyone not be able to sleep and very tired.
I'm sorry you're having such a bad time.
I hope things start looking up for you, soon.
I don't know much about ptsd but you'll find a lot of support here from people who do and don't understand it's symptoms.
Take care.

[frwlkr31]

Thanks Jax,

I am just trying to see if this something i should be concerned about or just what everyone feels and goes through after a hurricaine.

[dottie]

<font color="#000088"> Hi. Katrina was a catastrophic storm.It overwhelmed the people in N.O. as well as all emergency agencies. If you lost everything or nearly everything that would throw anyone into a terrible state. If you can find a way...Please seek counselling. That might take time depending on how they've been able to stabilize the communities and the different orgs. and resources..in N.O. and the surrounding environment.

I have been thru 5 hurricanes. Thankfully we lost only part of a roof during hurricane Clio. It really does sound to me like you could benefit from some therapuetic counselling. I did not suffer PTSD after them only because the damage was so minimal. Take good care!!</font>

[kimmydawn]

hi frwlkr, and welcome!

I'm sorry for what you and yours have been through and how much your life has been affected. I wish you more than well.

I do agree that PTSD is a real possibility and that a therapist could be of great benefit to you. Talking with a therapist has greatly helped me with the intenseness and duration of active PTSD.

I wish you luck. Keep talking to us. We care.

KD

[hillbunnyb]

frwlkr31, Welcome. I'm glad you survived. PTSD is what happens when your nerves are totally frayed, fried, blown, melted, etc. from life threatening events. that happen to us, over which we have no control. When you have the poo scared out of you for real.

Everybody's different, but we have things in common. Not being able to sleep is numero uno for me. The need to keep eating might be a way you are trying to calm your body down. Are you by any chance eating comfort foods?

I agree with the posters above, councelling is very helpful at times like this. Getting together with a group of folks who have been through Katrina also, on a regular basis, to share stories and support might could help until you find a professional councelor.

I can't imagine what you've been through. Mercy....... keep posting ok?

[EJ711]

I'm sorry for what you have been going through. Losing everything you own, living in strange surroundings, plus dealing with such a dangerous storm, with so many people dying is a traumatic event. From my personal experience with PTSD, I have been very tired, and on days when a bad memory is triggered, I will feel like I'm swimming through pea soup. Try to ge gentle with yourself, and get as much rest as possible. Maybe your doctor will prescribe you some medication, so you can get some restorative sleep.

Jane - Oz

[Rapunzel]

It sounds like you are having symptoms that have a big impact on your ability to carry on with your life. That is totally understandable, given what you have been through. A lot of people develop PTSD after having been through situations that are too stressful for normal coping to handle. It wouldn't surprise me if everybody has a point at which things are too much, and PTSD would result. Not everyone gets pushed to and over that point like you have. So, it is perfectly reasonable for you to feel the way you do after what has happened to you. It's also more than you can reasonably be expected to just deal with on your own, and treatment for PTSD can help a lot. I would recommend talking to a professional about this.

[frwlkr31]

Thanks for all the wonderful replies and the information. My wife is worried about me and call the fema counseling line, she was told this is normal and should go away on it's own in a couple of weeks. They told her to just keep a eye on me and not to worry because if something was actually wrong that i would not be showing any symptoms or emotions then we would have to worry. Does this sound right?

yea it makes sense. the fact that what has happened to you is showing up like it is says your body brain and emotions are processing it. if it wasnt you would basically be catatonic - not dreaming, not showing emotions basic zombee. Thats when major problems are being kept inside and hospitalization in mental health units type help is needed. Take care.

[dottie]

In my opinion "one size does not fit all". I can't stand hasty generalizations. Blah! If you keep having problems past the two-weeks...I would definitely get counselling. Take good care of yourself!

[bipolar_bear]

I am so sorry that you are having such a hard time right now. I can not even imagine what it must have been like to go through such an experience. It sounds like you are having trouble functioning in some ways and I would suggest that you get some professional help. What you went through and are still going through could easily traumatize someone. I hope you find what you are looking for.

[(JD)]

Welcome to PC fr. Well, yes, some of this is very normal... but then PTSD is a normal response to overwhelming events! Please do seek counseling to make it easier for you.. the sooner you seek help and receive expert advice and guidance in this (these feelings and responses you are suffering with) the sooner you can get back to normal living responses. Even if it is ptsd, the sooner you receive help, the faster the healing ,a nd the less long term effect it will have on your life ( think... debriefing of military after missions.) TC