[zwordz]

I think I found the right board now
Ok, people helped out on my other board saying I should see a therapist. I'll explain the situation, since I have nothing against them.
I began therapy in my final year of varsity after suffering years (since high school) with depression and anxiety. Varsitys in my country offer free counselling. However, my mental state effected my studies so I returned home. I am now continuing my studies through the post. However, I no longer have access to free counselling and cannot afford to pay for it. My parents paid for my studies and I did try to explain to them when my varsity psychologist diagnosed me with ptsd. They dont understand it, they think its only from 'shell shock' and I never was in battle or war or whatever. So yes. I gave up seeking support from them about it. I want to regain control over my life and so Im seeking support. I am finishing a course which will allow me to work next year. So hopefully by march I can go see a therapist

[Phyliss49]

It's too bad you have to wait until March to begin therapy. But you'll always find support here on pc from people who do understand.
All the best and Happy Holidays.

[zwordz]

Thanks and happy holidays to you too!

[Sannah]

Welcome Zword, yes, you can receive support here. Sounds like you are doing everything you can to get into therapy. Three months is not too far off? Anything you need help with now that you want to talk about?

[Capp]

zwordz,
hello and welcome
it's nice to meet you.

People here are very supportive and caring.
I'm glad you found us.

Cap

[Christine1123]

Happy Holidays, and remember that you can contact us until you find a therapist. I wish you best of luck with that.

Unfortunately it's a stigma for people to think that only war veterans suffer from PTSD. Don't take anything people say to you personally, they don't understand. Your trauma and fears are equally valid to anyone else's. I hope you can find peace in your recovery.

[phoenix7]

Welcome Zwordz,

I am sorry you will have to wait till march to see a T, you will find this board supportive and you can find techniques that people have tried that may work for you - maybe when you see your T in march you can ask them how to help your parents understand - it helps if ou can have them as support - if not - then we are here - talk to your friends as well - every little helps.

I wish you well P7

[Capp]

Originally Posted by Christine1123

Happy Holidays, and remember that you can contact us until you find a therapist. I wish you best of luck with that.

Unfortunately it's a stigma for people to think that only war veterans suffer from PTSD. Don't take anything people say to you personally, they don't understand. Your trauma and fears are equally valid to anyone else's. I hope you can find peace in your recovery.

So true, Christine, that many people think PTSD affects only veterans.
My belief is that treatment of survivors of any abuse helped professionals recognize and connect the symptoms of both.
It's helped redirect and define better treatment options.

I think it also gathers us into a support system that doubles the care and understanding we need as we walk our paths of healing...

Peace and Power,
Cap

[zwordz]

Thank you so much everyone! Its great to get such support. Im getting my fiance to join too, since he's not too sure how to help me and wants to learn more about whats going on with me (and that is now ALWAYS my womanly hormones!! )
Well, I wanted to ask some tips on dealing with flash backs. I believe I can hold out till march, but till then, are there any techniques on how to stop one self thinking back on horrible events? Mine is a gender related issue. Since the incident, I have gone from a gender equalist to an extreme feminist. I have days where I get so angry and think all men are dogs - of course you can see how this can effect my relationships! Whenever I experience sexism, even if it isnt directed at me, I go into super saiyan angry mode - I can hit walls, hurt myself, I get abusive towards my partner. Once I calm down I just cry and think how unfair it is I feel sooo weak!!! I want to just STOP myself reacting so badly and bringing up sensitive memories.

Thanks again and I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season!

[(JD)]

Welcome.

It's not so much working to keep from having flashbacks, since the harder to try to prevent something the stronger IT becomes... but on 1st realizing you have them, or just had one and 2nd becoming aware of what was going on that may have triggered you/it. It's then a matter of planning and either circumventing the situation that causes you to be triggered, or expecting some triggering and with that knowledge breathing and thinking positive thoughts to get through it (It isn't happening now, that was then this is now ...etc)

Since PTSD is not curable, and can take a very long time to find a place where it doesn't govern your life, waiting until March is not all that terrible.

I agree with the other members here. You will gain much knowledge and support. I'm sorry your parents don't know that PTSD has been widened to include such traumas as involve fear or death or great injury. Finding a book for them to read might help them help you. However, most people just don't "get it." That's even after a therapist explains it to them.

If you are able to work, will you also be able to return to school and have free therapy again?

TC

[phoenix7]

Originally Posted by _Sky

Welcome.

Since PTSD is not curable, (only part of sentence but the part i ...well see below)
TC

I mean no offence to you Sky ,
Ouch! I so dont want to hear that - true or not - not listening! - have my fingers in my ears and the stereo turned up! Shant, cant ,wont accept that! if denial was a place I have a house there already!

[phoenix7]

I agree with Sky and others here that with flashbacks the more you try to stop them the more they seem to occur - i try to ground myself by touching objects like ice or something that has a rough surface - telling myself that that was then and I survived it and this is now and I am stronger because i survived it -

Take care P7

[Sannah]

Zword, I have seen people misinterpret things and believe that something was sexist and it wasn't. I think that things like this can be projected onto others (if your worldview contains this stuff it can be projected onto situations where there also could be another plausible explanation).

[zwordz]

I've been having flashbacks for years now but the last 2 years its been getting steadily worse where it totally controls how I react. I hate that!

I will be studying but at a different institution and unfortunately lose access to free counselling.

Does anyone know the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist? I know I was seeing a psychologist. Im a bit confused about that

[Sannah]

The psychologist does therapy and is a phD or has a Masters. The psychiatrist treats with meds and is an MD.