[crazylife]

People tell me not to focus on the past as it causes more troubles but what they fail to understand is how can you not focus on the past when it never leaves you in peace. It's not that easy.

[Hellion]

I know what you mean, I also kind of hate when people imply that because that is one of the issues with PTSD not being able to escape your past. So, it feels like if someone implies that they are just disregarding the PTSD just so they can say 'well if you'd quit dwelling on it.' as if I have some choice in the matter.

[crazylife]

That's what i was thinking when i was writing that. As if we have any choice in the matter when PTSD is involved.

[Hellion]

Yeah I mean sure I would like to stop those intrusive thoughts and memories, but at this point I can't do that so I have to work around it, and it may not stop and I may have to work around it for the rest of my existance.

[AngelWolf3]

YES! THANK YOU FOR THIS! (not yelling angrily )

[Open Eyes]

You can't forget the past, you have to talk about whatever you have not been able to work through somehow. The only thing you can do is "learn" from the past and finally do your best to "grieve" it, and work on ways to move on "inspite" of it.

I do understand what you mean about other people telling you to forget it. That cannot really take place with PTSD. You have to be validated, comforted, grieve it and settle it and it takes time to do that with PTSD.

I will say, that as hard as it may seem, you can't keep holding onto the anger. I have been very challenged by that myself, but I try hard now to talk myself out of needing to be angry. Anger brings on too much draining and negetive energy that is not good for the brain. So now I do my best to let go of thinking I have to "feed into anger".

[Still Trying]

I totally agree. And sometimes it sets back what progress I have made when people will tell me to "move on, get over it." It's so frustrating and hurtful when others refuse to recognize how much hard work you have done to get to the fairly functional place where you are.
I don't want to hurt as much as I do or experience all the problems associated with PTSD. But I have found that most people would rather ignore your pain than try to have a little compassion.
But I will continue to work to move forward regardless if they think my symptoms and problems are real or not.
I believe we will get better if we don't give up trying. I know that's easier said than done. And it seems to take forever. But stay on these forums and you will find honest compassion and understanding.

[crazylife]

Everyone sounds so strong to be dealing with such a awful problem to have. Gives me hope. Shame the rest of the world can't see it the same way but sometimes the more a person can see in themselves the more they understand. Good look to you all xx

[(JD)]

As I mentioned in another post, PTSD is like having all your memory files dumped on the floor of your brain! The stress chemicals at the time of trauma is the cause. Therapy, And the skills you learn will begin to retrain the brain in how to file them again and correctly. The good news is that once you process a memory, the brain will go on and file all similar memories as well.. So you will not have to go through each and every memory.