PTSD is very difficult to diagnose because it is just a feeling -nothing more and nothing less -but that feeling controls your life and can cause

That's very cruel.

Most people who suffer from PTSD don't even know they have it.

I suffered for 2 years without knowing it. Even when I was initially diagnosed I was clueless.

That's probably true of most people. Self-awareness takes time. It's the people who never figure it out who are more than likely in a depth of despair that completely destroys their lives.

Anyone can get PTSD. There are lots of abused children with PTSD. If you ever had an accident of came close to death you can have PTSD. Being along in nature or lost can cause you to have PTSD. Not all PTSD is severe. Not all PTSD is caused by being in the military either.

I can agree with your entire post. I don't see any conflict between what you said and what I said because feelings (and perhaps the paths they chart in the brain) are ultimately behind everything. But one of your statements is inaccurate and dangerous in my opinion. You said PTSD does not cause you to kill yourself and others. That is flatly wrong. In the most extreme cases of PTSD I think people become so unhinged from the trauma that they indeed lose touch with reality and do great harm to themselves and others.

So thanks for your comments except for that small point.

Good morning, OP! If you are responding to my earlier post, I attempted to clarify my statement with a second response on page 1. --->



The concern is that PTSD is misunderstood by many, and misinformation is not helping, which also impacts how sufferers are treated by others and often whether or not sufferers decide to reach out for help and treatment. Attaining productive treatment is a significant factor in mitigating severity as well as harming oneself and others.

I tried to convey to you the importance of the qualifier "can"...PTSD can result in these acts but for the majority does not. The distinction is important.

Another aspect not yet discussed in your thread is the high prevalence of sufferers turning to alcohol and street drugs as a means of self treatment and, more accurately stated I believe, to temporarily distract, numb the emotions, attempt to temporarily relieve the symptoms, which only adds rocket fuel to the fire.

Drug and alcohol use is, of course, highly correlated to worsening of symptoms including physical violence and suicide and the inability of taking care of oneself (daily activities, employment, maintaining relationships, etc), and is such a significant factor, the use is closely monitored by trauma treatment professionals. I don't remember one appointment over a period of almost two years with my trauma team (during one stretch I was seeing them 2X per week) that I was not asked if I was drinking or using drugs, and drug use was not even in my history.

So, the point of my comment is one of accuracy to prevent further misunderstanding of PTSD by the greater population and to help lessen the stigma of sufferers, which a lessening of stigma will, in turn, help people attain proper treatment to mitigate severe symptoms, self harm and harm to others.

Some, not all. Can, not will.



Best to you!
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Last Edited by TXP on 07/11/2022 10:33 AM

A feeling is generated by the thought process so there is no contradiction. For sure it alters everything over time.

I'm with you all the way girl. My concern is we don't have the numbers. How many people have in fact killed themselves.

I have been suffering for 19 years and it's a miracle I'm still alive.

I could have been a statistic that nobody ever heard of !!!

One more point; thank God you had a trauma team, or perhaps, you and I would both be statistics.

Yes, the risk is certainly high especially with co-morbities and alcohol/drug use.

The following is a link to a clinical literature review (meta-analysis) of the PTSD, suicide and suicide ideation association including findings and stats, which was published by the VA. It's PDF format.
[link to www.ptsd.va.gov (secure)]

One critical point about my therapy: I didn't "have" a trauma team. I took responsibility for my condition, treatment and healing and actively sought out a trauma team. I continue to periodically seek treatment when increased stress and anxiety symptoms from daily life return. I owe it to myself and to all those around me.

I highly recommend you and others who are suffering do the same if, in fact, you'd like to reduce suffering and improve your condition and life experiences in general. Treatment is available.

If one doesn't have what is called "behavioral services" insurance or the financial means to attain trauma therapy or VA benefits, each State offers trauma services through mental health agencies/departments. In TX, it's the TX Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation (TDMHMR). They accept client-patients on a sliding fee scale and will help get you the proper treatment you need. Specifically ask for trauma treatment; this is key.

OP, I commend you for your survival and raising awareness! It's certainly not easy.

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Last Edited by TXP on 07/11/2022 01:48 PM

Thank you, I really appreciate your input as well. It is very helpful and very enlightening. You have shaped some of my thinking, confirmed other parts. I like to try and put it as simply as possible so that most people can get it because it's very complicated and very simple -a paradox like knowing your heart is beating but not able to explain it in medical terms.

I think my general view is that a a traumatic experience does not define, it injures you and that scab constantly bleeds because people are simply too ignorant to get off your back and attempt to speak for you because all they want is to satisfy their own agenda. The listening skills of most are nonexistent and it is therefore very difficult to find good support, That makes it very, very difficult to cope with trauma.

Another problem is that many people who suffer PTSD also suffer a traumatic brain injury at the same time because life threatening survival episodes usually shake you up violently enough to cause that as well.

Consequently, in my opinion, the severity of this trauma is frequently catastrophic and potentially lethal without an effective support network or a buildup of sufficient awareness to be able to find a way to cope.

Moreover, as you have suggested, our brain is wired through experience and learning and the neural networks we build are inevitably affected by everything that happens to us.

In the final analysis, we're all in the same boat and we should all pull together -that's the bottom line, I think.

I used to watch videos by Byron Katie ("Loving What Is") and thought her approach to PTSD was interesting.

In general, her approach has you analyze your thoughts so that the thoughts can let go of YOU.

Nothing works for everyone.

Don't become a disciple, but if a method helps you, do it!

Last Edited by Eilonwy on 07/11/2022 03:39 PM

Great approach.

Be grateful for what you got and aware of the reasons behind your actions.

Self awareness is ultimately the best source of therapy.

Very interesting. It's very different to experience something and to read about it. Reminds me of what Socrates said -know thyself.

Socrates had it right as well.

Its more than appealing.

Thought of the day; PTSD is real whether it is ignored or not.

According to fellow GLP'er and PTSD sufferer, Abe Foman,

"I always think I can get rid of mine. And then reality hits. Its forever. Those memories are forever.

Sometimes I zone out and re live those scenes in my head. Sometimes people notice.

Once I was asked "Where do you go dude?

And I was like "I don't know."

We get it for life, not possible forget or get over or to not be always affected by that kind of trauma.

I agree and that is especially true in Canada where our most popular psychologist is a goofball like Jordan Peterson.

Guy is insane. He equates popularity and credibility --very weird dude.

No thanks Jordan, we can all think for ourselves without your bullshit.

Many shrinks are insane...

They just don't have any time to listen to us.

I agree... Those memories are BURNED into your brain permanently. And don't ever let let anyone gaslight you into thinking that your intact historical memories are a "persistent delusion". Walk away from them immediately if they try that.

Indeed, walk away from those who can't handle the truth.

After world war 2, psychiatrists used hypnosis for PTSD (called shell shock back then) and it worked so well in the UK and in the US, that hypnosis became approved by the AMA and the BMA. Sadly, psychiatrists don’t use hypnosis anymore, but any good hypnotherpist who is educated in how to do regression hypnosis can do a world of good for anyone suffering from PTSD.

Most vets kept it all inside and never spoke of their war experiences.

It is very difficult for the sufferer to talk about it so much of it is forever buried, I think.

I personally don't think hypnosis is the answer unless of course it develops understanding.

Those people who are aware of the trauma (even if they don't exactly know how it is affecting their lives) are better off trying to cope and distract by reliving the trauma as infrequently as possible.

That's what my experience tells me and I certainly respect those who seek other forms of treatment -I just don't think one size fits all where this dreadful condition (PTSD) is concerned.

Yet, you admit serious suffering for 19 years.

Distraction is like alcohol: you temporarily forget/are relieved, but you and your issue are still there. Then you need more alcohol...

Treat the root cause.
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B6, magnesium and zinc. And borage oil or evening primrose oil.

Your body dumps all three when under severe stress.

This can cure ptsd. It changed our lives.

Look up pyroluria, also called mauve’s disease. Here’s one—

[link to drjockers.com (secure)]

They don’t talk much about ptsd in most articles, but Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt did in lectures he did about this. You will see improvement in a week or less.