[Ocean Swimmer]

I've had some pretty heavy trauma.
Does my BP get triggered by PTSD?
I've never been formally diagnosed as such. But the bipolar for decades.
Suicidal tendency has been triggered by super stress. Suicide of loved one ect.
We had $160,000 damage to our home after an earthquake. Shortly after I went into a bad episode and had to be ip.
Is there a connection?
What determines ptsd?
I suffered abuse.
My parents were both alcoholics.
I've been robbed.
Is it a cumulative effect?

[Open Eyes]

Oh ((Ocean)) I am sorry you have experienced so many traumatic events along with the instablity of others in your family.

When it comes to experiencing suicidal impulses, please know that these can come but like other symptoms they also go away too. I had a horrible time with these impulses myself and what made a huge difference for me is when someone told me to pay attention to the fact that while these impulses can be strong they also go away too.

What helps when struggling with PTSD symptoms is learning about how these symptoms tend to come in like a wave, crest, then receed. By recognizing that it actually helps to reduce the stress of "unknowing' into understanding on a level that while symptoms can be challenging, they are understood better and one can slowly learn how to gain more control over them.

What does help is finding ways to create a structure for yourself that is more predictable where you regain a sense of more control. When someone is around others that exhibit unpredictable behaviors, yes, it's stressful, however, one can slowly learn how to recognize that just because others can exhibit poor behavioral problems, YOU really don't have to do the same, YOU can actually create your own structure to your own life. You can learn to set small goals for yourself and heal a little at a time.

[PumpkinPieHead]

Hi Ocean Swimmer, do you live in the pacific or gulf side of Costa Rica? I have been there, once, beautiful country.

Can you clarify if you have been diagnosed BP or PTSD? I ask because I mistakenly thought I was BP (I thought PTSD was for combat veterans) and I was prescribed Latuda for a while. It was a night mare!
Once I started being treated for PTSD, it was like I was "home" and started making progress.

(((Ocean Swimmer))). I have been told by 2 professionals I have PTSD and several others that I have BP and possibly something else along with it. One doctor thought all my problems were PTSD related but my most recent said it appears to be a combination. I try to focus on just treating the symptoms but the medications make me feel so awful and I worry I don't need them. My family says I'm better on the medications but I disagree and they are not in my head so who is right? I'm so confused. (((Hugs))). I'm sorry you are confused too.

[Ocean Swimmer]

My original diagnose was manic depression.
There are many who are ptsd in my support group.
I started relating to the ptsd. There's a good book I want to read by Pete Wilson.
I could struggle with both.
The bipolar seems real as I experience psychotic mania. And mixed states.
But I've suffered hurricanes,earthquakes, tornadoes.
My first almost fiancé ( Trigger) committed suicide. My best friend all thru highschool did too.
A speculation is that my father killed my step mom by pushing her down a flight of stairs.
I've been robbed in Costa Rica 28 times.
Our home in the desert too. Stole our truck and trailer twice. Our business AStorage facility had peace for 14 years. In the last few years all of the garages were cut into 4times.
We've had to pay guards in Costa Rica and at the Storage.
I lost $87,000 in the stock market as the broker did not execute trades I had authorized in writing. I did not sue.
So I could go on but the point being how much can a person endure.
It seems the breaking point coincides with my bipolar meltdowns. Trigger...
My first episode was after my father offed my step mom and best friend killed herself.
I lost the ability to speak.

[Ocean Swimmer]

Oh. The Pacific side. For 21 years.

Originally Posted by Ocean Swimmer

My original diagnose was manic depression.
There are many who are ptsd in my support group.
I started relating to the ptsd. There's a good book I want to read by Pete Wilson.
I could struggle with both.
The bipolar seems real as I experience psychotic mania. And mixed states.
But I've suffered hurricanes,earthquakes, tornadoes.
My first almost fiancé ( Trigger) committed suicide. My best friend all thru highschool did too.
A speculation is that my father killed my step mom by pushing her down a flight of stairs.
I've been robbed in Costa Rica 28 times.
Our home in the desert too. Stole our truck and trailer twice. Our business AStorage facility had peace for 14 years. In the last few years all of the garages were cut into 4times.
We've had to pay guards in Costa Rica and at the Storage.
I lost $87,000 in the stock market as the broker did not execute trades I had authorized in writing. I did not sue.
So I could go on but the point being how much can a person endure.
It seems the breaking point coincides with my bipolar meltdowns. Trigger...
My first episode was after my father offed my step mom and best friend killed herself.
I lost the ability to speak.

This is so much to go through for one person and it just doesn't seem fair at all! I agree, how much can a person endure? I have a list of stuff too... several very violent attacks....robbed about 6 times...suicide in the family (once successfully and the other one lived after shooting himself in the head. He lived with us while he recovered. The list could go on and on and on.

Do you think your delusions are PTSD related? If I'm having delusions it makes sense they are PTSD. My therapist said they are more. She said PTSD can cause paranoia but not delusions. I'm not so sure. The evidence is overwhelming so I just don't know what is what.

I wish I could turn back time and stop all those things from happening to you and to me. Please take care of yourself...watch your back and try to stay safe. (((Hugs)))

[Ocean Swimmer]

You are so compassionate. Love to you.