[black_kat22]

can a person have PTSD and not be aware of it? like buried so deep inside - as in like sections of their life they can't remember???

[greatlakesgirl]

Yes, I believe so. I was just talking about that today. I'm actually having issues with remembering the traumatic events (which I think maybe is a defense mechanism?). But I still have night - terrors and they are the problem. I also have a hard time talking to my therapist about it, because when it comes time to talk about these things, I can't even remember. You're definitely not alone with this.

[FallDuskTrain]

I think so. In fact, i think that might be the case for most of the cases. Our brain stores very traumatic events. We feel numb.
For instance, if I did not have certain evidences, I would question (at times wouldn’t even remember) the reality of my past traumatic events.
When I remember them, I feel like I am watching a movie. It doesn’t feel real. But the emotional pain, night terrors and anxiety caused by these events are real.

[neckbones]

10000% yes. I didn’t know I had PTSD until this year and I still don’t fully understand what caused it. If you experience flashbacks, nightmares, or have triggers to unusual things i’d recommend doing your own research abt PTSD and seeing if it matches up. It can also sometimes be good to talk to professionals since they can either help you understand trauma more or work with you so your triggers aren’t as damaging

[sonjaward809]

I wasn't aware I had PTSD until I started opening up to my therapist and pdoc literally about a month or two ago .. I was telling them about all the stuff that happened when I was a kid and how it still bugs me on a daily to weekly basis. I was diagnosed with chronic PTSD. It's the nightmares and random flashbacks that tipped them off. I've tried Minipress for the nightmares but it lowered my blood pressure too much. So I just have to deal with them. I moved away since most of my triggers are in my hometown .. but I will have to move back soon and I'm worried that my PTSD will start flaring up even more.

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by black_kat22

can a person have PTSD and not be aware of it? like buried so deep inside - as in like sections of their life they can't remember???

I knew I had nightmares, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, flashbacks, intrusive thoughts...

examples...
I knew when I was having a good dream vs a bad dream that was casing me to cry, feel scared, need to sleep with the light on,...

I knew when I was hearing my abusers voice in my head or feeling like my abuser was hurting me just like it was happening now...

I knew when my heart was thumping so hard and having trouble breathing

I knew when I saw someone that looked like my abusers it would cause me to feel scared and wanting to get away....

what I didnt know was that all these problems had a name... PTSD. but I knew I had those problems. in me these problems hurt me mentally and physically so bad that I would dissociate (go numb, spaced out, not feel) to get away from them.

as an adult when I went through huricane sandy and when I witnessed a crime as part of my job I recognized the problems as being PTSD.

my point for me getting the diagnosis didnt change what was, it just put a name on what was happening (nightmares, flashbacks, panic attacks, intrusive thoughts...) I knew I had those things happening to me.