[Albeelo]

I was recently diagnosed at age 18 with PTSD. It's such a large thing to have at such a seemingly young age and it seems as though I've had it for years. It was caused from a lot of childhood trauma. I am managing, but I did have something to ask. I struggle with flashbacks. All the time they happen. There is not a single hour in the day when I do not have them. Even when I finally do fall asleep, the flashbacks follow me in my nightmares. Does anyone else feel like this, and if so have you had any success against it? How? I am struggling to lead a fulfilling life. It holds me back. I have trouble doing as simple a task as driving, and writing this post. I am just plagued and feeling overwhelmed. Thank you.

[leomama]

Originally Posted by Albeelo

I was recently diagnosed at age 18 with PTSD. It's such a large thing to have at such a seemingly young age and it seems as though I've had it for years. It was caused from a lot of childhood trauma. I am managing, but I did have something to ask. I struggle with flashbacks. All the time they happen. There is not a single hour in the day when I do not have them. Even when I finally do fall asleep, the flashbacks follow me in my nightmares. Does anyone else feel like this, and if so have you had any success against it? How? I am struggling to lead a fulfilling life. It holds me back. I have trouble doing as simple a task as driving, and writing this post. I am just plagued and feeling overwhelmed. Thank you.

Yes, I have found a mood stabilizer to be helpful as well as years of CBT, psychodynamic therapy and DBT. It won't go away but you can learn to manage your symptoms with help. Welcome!

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[Skeezyks]

Hello Abeelo: I went back & read your introductory post. Since you indicate you've been diagnosed with PTSD, I presume you're seeing a therapist? Really... with all you have struggled through in your young life, having someone to talk all of this through with is going to be vital. Friends & family cannot do this for you. It requires the guidance of a skilled therapist.

I hope you are seeing a therapist or counselor on a regular, ongoing basis. If not, try to figure out some way of doing so as soon as possible... even if realistically that time is a few years away yet. Allowing all of this to continue to ruminate through your thoughts is a prescription for ongoing unhappiness & continued flashbacks. Posting here on PsychCentral can help. And I'd like to encourage you to keep posting. But it is not a substitute for real life mental health services.

I also struggle with a lot of flashbacks. My answer to it is to employ a Buddhist practice called "compassionate abiding". (I won't go into the details. You can search the term on the internet should you have an interest. I doubt it's quite what you're looking for at this point in your life.)

Are you familiar with California therapist Kati Morton? Kati uploads mental health related videos onto her YouTube channel. She's also on Facebook, Twitter, & other social media. I would presume she's done some videos where she's talked about how to handle flashbacks. Kati is wonderful & I think you might find watching her videos to be of help. (She also answers viewers' questions!)

I wish you well...

[MtnTime2896]

I've been dealing with something very similar. I was officially diagnosed six months ago, though I had it longer. Therapy and most likely taking medication will help, at least it does with most people. When it comes to the therapy, make sure that your therapist is a trauma therapist. When it comes to the medication make sure to out way the pros and cons and have an open mind. Other than that, you'll hopefully be taught techniques that will help with the side-effects of PTSD (depression, anxiety, hypervigilance, dissociation etc.). This is a lot to take on at eighteen. I have an idea how this feels because I'm only two years older than you but I've gotten better at managing everything through time, patience and practice. I still have extremely difficult times, like right now (I'm hallucinating and the guy is in my doorway right now but I know it isn't real). I've had constant flashbacks today along with not knowing where I am. I used to spend every day this way, now I don't; though it is still frequent. You learn to manage the symptoms and stay in control of yourself, unfortunately it's a hard fight that really doesn't end but it does get manageable. You'll learn what works for you and implement that. You'll get through this and you'll be able to help someone else who's in the same position you are now. Try prazosin for the nightmares (ask your doc). I also got a therapy dog to help out with the panic attacks and such; he really helps. Message me if you ever need to talk or just post. I'm on here a lot, I'll usually see it.

[paingrl]

I have CPTSD and feel like you too. Im only 17 but mine is also from childhood trauma. All i can say is, my therapist told me the brain is like any other organ in the body and despite being traumatised, it has a simple structure and with the right treatment can reset itself after trauma

[skeksi]

It does get better. And the fact that you are getting diagnosed and treated now, at 18, is going to make a huge difference to your life. A time will come when it does not dominate every aspect of your life.

[Wild Coyote]

I am glad to see people getting help at early ages!

So much more is known about PTSD now and research continues.

Theories around the neuroplasticity of the brain speculate we can change the brain patterns and can heal.

I also take a Buddhist approach. I have found this approach most helpful of all. Meds, too.
Just my own experience.

Find a good therapist/pdoc specializing in PTSD if possible.

Hope to see you around PC.


WC

[Blair321]

Originally Posted by Albeelo

I was recently diagnosed at age 18 with PTSD. It's such a large thing to have at such a seemingly young age and it seems as though I've had it for years. It was caused from a lot of childhood trauma. I am managing, but I did have something to ask. I struggle with flashbacks. All the time they happen. There is not a single hour in the day when I do not have them. Even when I finally do fall asleep, the flashbacks follow me in my nightmares. Does anyone else feel like this, and if so have you had any success against it? How? I am struggling to lead a fulfilling life. It holds me back. I have trouble doing as simple a task as driving, and writing this post. I am just plagued and feeling overwhelmed. Thank you.

yes i have flashbacks often as well and they appear in my dreams..

[ThatSpaceDude]

I'm only a smidge older than you- I'm 19, and I've been dealing with this for several years, so in that regard I kinda get where you're coming from. I've struggled too with what you describe... it's tough. I don't know if it would work for you, but I try to find something to repeat to myself when it happens, to try and keep grounded. Specifically, I find that reciting the date (or at least the year) seems to work, for me at least. Anything to remind myself that it's no longer X year, I'm no longer Y age, it's not Z date, like that, if that makes any sense. I'm not sure I phrased that well, I'm sorry. I wish you the best, and good luck.

[Blair321]

Originally Posted by ThatSpaceDude

I'm only a smidge older than you- I'm 19, and I've been dealing with this for several years, so in that regard I kinda get where you're coming from. I've struggled too with what you describe... it's tough. I don't know if it would work for you, but I try to find something to repeat to myself when it happens, to try and keep grounded. Specifically, I find that reciting the date (or at least the year) seems to work, for me at least. Anything to remind myself that it's no longer X year, I'm no longer Y age, it's not Z date, like that, if that makes any sense. I'm not sure I phrased that well, I'm sorry. I wish you the best, and good luck.

I'm actually just about to turn 21 but one thing that's actually helped me recently is repeating, "I'm safe, I'm safe, I'm safe, I'm safe" over and over again. It usually works pretty well. Also doing breathing techniques now.