Related to another discussion, I am wondering how many others have PTSD and whether you think it affects your ability to interact here?

Thank you (I was wondering if anyone would ask about other diagnoses). I have had a PTSD diagnosis since my late teens. I have finally reached a point (I'm 50 now) that I've worked through most of it and probably technically don't qualify as having the diagnosis anymore (although it is still used as part of my diagnosis).

[stopdog]

The therapist has talked about me having it. I am not sure I think it is true. I don't think it has any bearing on how I respond to threads on this forum.

[willowbrook]

I'm diagnosed with Complex PTSD, related to childhood abuse and extended bullying. Nothing on these forums triggers me in relation to that.

Non of my Ts believe in providing diagnosis other than some generic one so insurance would pay. All of my Ts have used the term PTSD when discussing some of my reactions etc. My reactions are more about personal physical safety so usually the trigger warnings on posts help warn me of others writing about that.

[PeeJay]

I truly don't understand the use of the word "trigger" in a subject line or as a warning.

Couldn't you write it about anything? Maybe the whole website should have a "trigger" disclaimer at the top so that individual users stop writing it at the top of their posts?

I have PTSD and it is so obvious now that I'm diagnosed. And I get triggered in real life but not from reading anything on the forums.

Very droll. I don't think PTSD carries the same stigma, or the discussion the same weight or prejudices, in my opinion.. Although interestingly, there is some diagnostic overlap with BPD, especially in cases of complex PTSD. It's also something that can be co-morbid with BPD, with research to suggest that people with sensitive personalities are more likely to experience it.

Do you suffer with PTSD? Is it helpful for you to know that you are not alone? Are you seeking support with this thread?

I don't know that my PTSD makes it difficult to interact here.

Originally Posted by just_some_girl

Very droll. I don't think PTSD carries the same stigma, or the discussion the same weight or prejudices, in my opinion.. Although interestly, there is some diagnostic overlap, especially in cases of complex PTSD. It's also something that can be co-morbid with PTSD, with research to suggest that people with sensitive personalities are more likely to experience it.

Do you suffer with PTSD? Is it helpful for you to know that you are not alone? Are you seeking support with this thread, or...?

I do actually. I recently took a break from the forum because of issues that I believe are somewhat related to my own mental health issue and feeling attacked. I say "somewhat" because objectively speaking (I ran it by my H and my T), I really was being attacked. Do you question everyone's motives for every thread?

[punkybrewster6k]

Usually when I read a thread where there is a lot of arguing or fighting are ganging up on one person it will trigger me. I get off that thread really quick. It seems some people call it disagreeing but it is more than that to me.
But for others it's not a problem and that's okay.

Sent from my SCH-S720C using Tapatalk 2

[brillskep]

I've never been diagnosed with PTSD and I feel like I am interacting in the forum the way I choose to.

[stopdog]

Originally Posted by PeeJay

I truly don't understand the use of the word "trigger" in a subject line or as a warning.

Couldn't you write it about anything? Maybe the whole website should have a "trigger" disclaimer at the top so that individual users stop writing it at the top of their posts?

I have PTSD and it is so obvious now that I'm diagnosed. And I get triggered in real life but not from reading anything on the forums.

I am not completely positive about the meaning of trigger versus angry or upset - I am not saying there is not a difference - just that I don't know what it is.
Do I sometimes become frustrated, impatient, confused and even irate about another poster or thread? Of course I do, But I don't think it is being done at me specifically and I just stop (or try to - admittedly I should do it sooner sometimes) to stop reading or responding and go on to something I find more pleasurable.Sometimes I enjoy the debate.
So I doubt I would use the term trigger for anything here or in real life.

Originally Posted by My kids are cool

I do actually. I recently took a break from the forum because of issues that I believe are somewhat related to my own mental health issue and feeling attacked. I say "somewhat" because objectively speaking (I ran it by my H and my T), I really was being attacked. Do you question everyone's motives for every thread?

Well, understanding the motives makes it clearer how to respond so that we can all support each other? I'm sure you understand why I might wonder? It's unfortunate you were attacked, that can be hard to deal with. I too find such things upsetting. I understand how it can be something of a trigger, too.. although my own triggers seem to be entangled with abandonment trauma. It's too bad you felt like you needed to take a break and get some distance from somewhere you like to frequent for support - I do relate to that.

[WikidPissah]

I have PTSD, and I used to communicate fine here, there was a good mix of people and I think a lot of maturity. It's been a year or more since I felt able to post in the psychotherapy forum as a whole. I have been criticized in almost every thread I have started in the past year, year and a half. It didn't use to be that way.

[punkybrewster6k]

Originally Posted by My kids are cool

I do actually. I recently took a break from the forum because of issues that I believe are somewhat related to my own mental health issue and feeling attacked. I say "somewhat" because objectively speaking (I ran it by my H and my T), I really was being attacked. Do you question everyone's motives for every thread?

No I don't question their motives on every thread just some threads are a little bit more aggressive than what I choose to be involved in. I just move on and go back to the forum where I feel the most comfortable.

Sent from my SCH-S720C using Tapatalk 2

[murray]

I have been diagnosed with PTSD. I suppose that it might be part of why I don't post much any more. Reading threads isn't usually a problem for me and so I read pretty much everything in this forum. Replying is a different matter altogether though. I am so conflict averse that the thought of saying something that will upset or anger someone terrifies me. I tend to freeze and panic at the first hint of conflict, which I guess is a PTSD sort of response.
Now I just tend to think about posting and think fondly of all of the people here that I really like, as well as the ones that have been absent, and then refrain from posting as a way to avoid upsetting anyone.
Not sure if that's a PTSD thing or not...

I was actually responding to someone else with that comment, Punky. Sorry.

[RTerroni]

Don't have it at all.

[rainbow8]

I never was officially diagnosed with PTSD and never thought it applied to me, but my former DBT leader thought that maybe I had complex PTSD. My T thinks I suffered from trauma, maybe birth trauma, but I don't know enough about PTSD to know what the criteria for that diagnosis are.

Maybe it's my BPD, but I did and still do get triggered on this forum. It was much worse when it seemed like everyone was attacking me in almost every thread I started, and I still don't understand why exactly. I get triggered when I feel misunderstood or ignored, or sometimes when I don't understand someone else. It seemed like a lot of people were very harsh with me, and I took it all too personally. I seem to be in a better place now, and can take care of myself better. I don't create so much controversy and/or people who don't like me stay away from my threads.

[Auntie2014]

I do have DX of PTSD an I believe on this forum I can hopefully help someone that struggles with PTSD or the related issues. There are times when I do need to step away from a thread but other threads are fine so I do not think it is a problem.

yes we do have it severely bad and yes sometimes we cannot even read whats here but are starting to very very slowly start posting again and trying to give support when and where we are able to♥

[someone321]

I do have PTSD (or rather it's unofficial complex version) but I do not get triggered by the "triggering" posts... Okay maybe sometimes I get anxious and scared when I see that people are arguing on PC because of misunderstandings - usually then I just shut down as I'm afraid that instead of mediating I'll make everything worse... But I guess it's not due to my PTSD - it's just my terrible character

[blur]

I have read a bit about complex PTSD and relate to it but don't know if I have all the symptoms for a diagnosis. I did mention it to my last T and she seemed to think it was plausible. My first thought is to say I don't get triggered by the forum but when I think about it the arguing & attacking is very hard for me to deal with. I am quite conflict averse and just want to hide under a rock when I feel attacked.

Thank you, pfrog, for explaining that!

Originally Posted by My kids are cool

Thank you, pfrog, for explaining that!

You're welcome, kids ... I was in the middle of editing it, and here's the final cut!

I have Complex PTSD, and yes I do get triggered by some of the threads, posts & discussions here. I'm working on not even clicking on anything like that anymore.

For those who do not understand triggers and why it's important to flag some threads and posts with a trigger icon ...

A trigger can be anything that thrusts the person with PTSD into a flashback. A flashback is where the person with PTSD feels they are experiencing the initial trauma(s) that caused them to develop PTSD in the first place ... A combat veteran may hear a gunshot and be thrust back onto the battlefield fighting for their life ... A rape survivor may smell an odor or aroma that reminds them of the rape they experienced 10 years ago and end up in a flashback that they are being raped all over again right this moment ... An adult survivor of childhood physical abuse may be playfully slapped on the back by a friend and be thrust back into a flashback where they're being beaten all over again by the person who horridly abused them during their childhood ... A person who's home was totally destroyed by a tornado may suddenly find themselves reliving that event via flashback whenever a thunderstorm is blowing through.

Of course, none of it is happening now, but the brain has been forever altered by the initial trauma and has been left fragile to tripping up all over again - and often unexpectedly - by everyday things that simply don't have an effect on a person who has not experienced overwhelming, life threatening traumas.

For the person with PTSD a flashback is just as real for them in the here and now (even though it's not really happening now) as it was back when it actually did happen!

I hope that helped to explain it a little bit ...

There are many informative articles about PTSD right here at PC (check the home page), and if you type in PTSD and/or C-PTSD into the search engine of your browser, you will also come up with many links.

Oh, and for all of those who love to sneak up on and scare people? This is the WORST THING EVER you can do to a person who suffers with PTSD. So if you ever do scare someone and are shocked or surprised at what may seem like an over-reaction on their part, I assure you that for them it has triggered a life/death & fight/flight reaction that for the most part they cannot help, & it may not end well for you. So please rethink this idea of fun as I can assure you it is anything BUT fun for a person suffering with PTSD.

Sincerely,
Pfrog!

[WikidPissah]

good synopsis pfrog....thanks!