[female17england]

hello, im T, im from England and i had a baby which i think has caused PTSD. Um, how do they treat it? and it would be nice to make friends and also be told any relative rules for this forum... eg try not to write about triggers. Im off to my doctors on the 18th of feb to talk to him about stuff and see what happens (thank god ive got my partner to support me) thats about it.

[kimmydawn]

hi 17, and welcome!

i'm glad that you've found us. you can find out about posting rules thru the main page talk to us anytime about anything you need

hope to hear more from you soon.

kd

[wisewoman]

Hi T, there is a lot of info on OCD online. So much new research. Do some exploring and welcome.

[SweetCrusader]

Welcome to psychcentral!

So, may I ask how come you think maybe having your baby caused PTSD??

[ktp]

Welcome to the forums.

I am wondering also how you think having a baby caused PTSD. Was it a particularly difficult birth or the circumstances surrounding the birth, etc. I'm just concerned and wanted to ask if maybe it could be postpartum depression...I'd definitely talk to your doctor about how you're feeling. There are many things they can do nowdays to help with lots of different illnesses.

Good luck to you !
Kimberly.

[kimmydawn]

that was also the first thing that popped into my mind. i'm hoping there weren't life threatening conditions surrounding the birth.

let us know how it's going.

kd

[(JD)]

Welcome to psychcentral 17... gee I sure hope you're wrong on that! I don't wish PTSD on anyone! But the sooner you are dx'd, the better the outcome, so find a T quickly, ok?

[kimmydawn]

well said, sky, about the sooner dx'ed and treatment begins the better a person usually does. i agree. i've read that many times. i know that i think that would have been the case with me as well.

when something happened with my daughter, t said that the fact that she got it out and got treatment right away will ensure she does well. he was right! the event is a very far away memory that she seems to have no problems with now as an adult.

kd

[female17england]

**Might be a bit triggery if you had problems with a baby**

I nearly died. dont want to go into detail ive been flashing back enough to day already but yeah, v hard time, illness called pre-eclampsia (very high blood pressure&kidneys start to fail) coupled with being induced and a 10pound6 baby didnt help, i was in complete terror before they admitted me to hospital, and im pretty sure its not depression because ive been depressed before, and the symptons (although there are small similarities) are different i should know if i have it or not in a week (18th feb) so i will post about the 19th cuz my fiancee is taking me out for a valentines meal that night. how is PTSD treated? and does it often take over your life? I cant go out without my partner very well, but im trying really hard and i just started a course with a door-to-door taxi, so i can just about do that because i know people on it already. Ive got lots of support so im feeling kinda lucky, but my partner sometimes just doesnt understand. like when you cant do anything without worrying about a fatal or damaging accident, or you check everything constantly (not in an OCD way) and are constantly on edge.

[(JD)]

Yes, 17, this is quite a traumatic event and can very well cause PTSD. You can read more about this disorder by going up top to Disorders and clicking on that. The flashbacks and distress need to be lasting a month or more, which you do have. PLEASE contact your MD for a referral for psychotherapy. The sooner you begin processing what happened, the less the event will bother you... don't put this off as it doesn't heal itself and becomes complicated. (((hugs))))

[ktp]

((((((((((((T))))))))))))))

hugs if okay.

Yeah I can see where that would be very traumatic. I agree with Sky. See a doctor and get a referral ASAP. The sooner you begin to process all that happened to you, the better off you'll be emotionally and mentally.

((((big hugs)))) and please come back and share with us. We're here for ya.

Take Care,
Kimberly.

[SweetCrusader]

I echo what Sky said. I am not a professional so I am by NO means qualified to say, but it certainly sounds like PTSD to me!

Healing from PTSD is very complicated. For some lucky people, it happens quickly (although not painlessly or effortlessly). I had a roommate who only needed a few months of therapy to deal with her PTSD. But for some people, it's more complex and the healing doesn't happen quickly. There are some people here who suffer greatly, long-term. There is a LOT that goes into recovery from PTSD.

I strongly encourage you to seek professional help. I can witness to you that it CAN help a LOT to get the right therapist in your corner.

Best wishes,
Angela

[female17england]

thank you. i have an appointment with my doctor in 4 days (earliest possible) so should start sorting things soon. do they ever prescribe drugs for PTSD? and are there any bad ones to look out for? Im worried they will make me talk about everything in therapy instantly... or are they just kinda slowly avoiding it and working on it gradually? you guys seem really nice

[TraumaMama]

Hi 17. Hugs from me too if that's OK with you. I haven't been in therapy that long but it took them about 6 sessions before we had to talk about what happened to me. I still find myself bawling like a baby a good chunk of the time but I really think it helped to talk about it. They started me on Lexapro which is helping with the depression and anxiety. Blessings to you and good luck.

[(JD)]

You need to take your own time/pace. Pushing discussion of trauma can easily retraumatize a person.

But at this time you probably already have a "set story" that you tell, about the event..and can get through that by rote, am I right? It takes retelling and retelling and adjusting the info, adding some details and telling it some more... but not at every session, and often therapy includes how the trauma is affecting all other aspects of your life and how to realize this, and cope.

Discuss your fears about therapy with the doctor, and especially that you don't wish to leave the session without being ready to go out the door. It can take PTSD patients longer to adjust to going from therapy to the real world.. sigh.