ok, I need input

I posted this on the depression page too, but i'm thinking that it would probably go better here. So here it is... How do you know if you are over something? I know that people go to councling, therapy, do self-help things, talk to friends, support groups...etc... but how do they know when they are over it. I know a lot of people who say that they are suffering from this or that... such as depression or post traumatic stress, and they are hopefully that they get better. but how do they know when they are better? Or, for the Post-traumatic Stress thing... how do you know when you are over it?

Post-traumatic stress syndrome can go away, but I think that for most people with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, it may not. For myself, I have found that it tends to go into remission and then return when there is some new event that causes severe stress. However, this is the first time in my life that I have been in therapy, and perhaps it is possible to heal. I am feeling hopeful right now. I think I am seeing a light at the end of the tunnel.

-Ariel

Whatever you can do,
Or dream you can, begin it.
Boldness has genius, power, and magic, in it.
-Goethe

That's good. I hope you do recover. I think you are right about that fact that it always comes back in stressful situtations. Afterall, people do think and remember things. In stressful situtaions, people tend to look back to compare one bad situtation with the other. Comparing is not a good idea, but it does make sense why people won't recover. Anyway, thanks for your input.

While I do NOT doubt any of y'alls diagnosis, I am currently confused by, well, maybe just by your choice of words. It sounds to me like you are more like defining regular stress, not PTSD.

I do know that a large percentage of situations, PTSD symptoms lessen within 3 months (Maybe has to do with support system?) but "go away'? And I am confused by the idea of someone purposely comparing one situ with another. I don't have that luxury, it's all so intrusive and automatic for me... perhaps if I can get to the point of only comparing, I can improve?

The idea of trying to learn to "control" symptoms of PTSD, that's about the best that is offered. What am I missing here?

...I can misspeak like the best of us

i was told by my counselor that you'll know whenever you are over the past when the memories are stored and retrieving those memories are done at will. that, you aren't suffering from flashbacks.

[i] <font color=purple> Absolve you to yourself, and you shall have the suffrage of the world." Ralph Waldo Emerson</font color=purple>

That is a good answer. Although, some things can randomly trigger people to think of other things. So, i'm just wondering what if something triggers you to remember that thing in your past? Would that be called a flashback?

IMHO it isn't a flashback unless you sense it is happening now. Being reminded of something, and then being able to file it back away means you have progressed, worked through that particular trigger?

...I can misspeak like the best of us

oh that is interesting. I really appraciate the replys. This is something i have wondered for years.