Comments on: What are the four phases of PTSD?

By: Levi Armstrong

Levi Armstrong — Mon, 01 Feb 2021 15:35:29 +0000

It’s alarming to know that a person’s PTSD could last for years after the traumatic event if it’s isn’t adequately treated. My niece was involved in a freak accident that killed her whole family, leaving her an orphan. We took her in immediately, so perhaps it’s time to find a trauma therapy counselor soon. Thank you for this.

By: Steven Ellis

Steven Ellis — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 05:14:11 +0000

In reply to Roy.

I just did 17yrz n prison n I have been out a year.i was I’m varner super max and a guy I talk to n the cell next to me hung hisself.i watched them cut him dwn from his vent an carry his dead out his cell and lay him on the ground..

By: Thriveworks Assistant

Thriveworks Assistant — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 17:01:30 +0000

In reply to Damian.

We’re so sorry to read what you’re going through. If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, or thinking about hurting yourself or others, please seek immediate help. Call 911, go to your closest emergency room, or call the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-8255. You can also visit their website at https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org. This national network of local crisis centers provides free support, and someone is always available to talk.

You can also find a list of other helpful resources here, such as the Crisis Text Line, National Domestic Violence Hotline, and more. Remember, life can get better with the right help. https://twx.atlantacounseling.com/immediate-help/

By: Damian

Damian — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 10:03:25 +0000

On the 29th November 2020, I had just started work for the evening as a cab driver on the small Island where I live. It was 8PM in the evening and I was due to work all night so I had plenty of rest time throughout the day leading up to my shift.
I picked up my first passenger for the evening and was driving down a long and twisty hill towards one of the local villages when out of nowhere I hit something, I hadn’t seen anything and I was certain that a branch from one of the large overhanging trees had fallen onto my car. I instantly said to my passenger “what on earth was that?” To which he replied “I think that was a person!”, I said “no way, I would have seen a person” and I stopped the car immediately. both my passenger and myself got out of my car and sure enough there was a middle aged man behind the car on the floor. He was in a bad way and it was clear instantly that he was dead. I was well within the speed limit for that stretch of road, the weather and road conditions were good but the lighting was poor. There are no pedestrian walkways on this road and it has always been known as quite a dangerous hill particularly if you are brave enough to try and walk it, especially at night time. My instant reaction was to ring my wife, I knew my passenger was on the phone to emergency services but I went into an instant state of shock and she was the only person I wanted to speak to in that moment. I had no idea where this pedestrian had come from. My passenger agreed that the pedestrian had come from nowhere and he had not seen him either until the point of impact. A few minutes later a first aider arrived on scene, she attempted to find a pulse on the man laying on the ground but was unsuccessful. A few moments after that, the emergency services arrived and I watched them fight to bring life back into badly injured pedestrian. I have spent weeks trying to piece this together and I get nowhere, I’m in a constant state of battle in my head. I have been back to the accident scene several times and tried to reconstruct the incident to get answers as to where he came from and what happened. As I said, I live on a small island and this gentleman was well known in the community as a friendly and reliable businessman, however he was also known to be a heavy drinker with a history of suicidal ideation. On this particular evening, I am told by authorities that he had been drinking and he was heavily intoxicated. I am uncertain whether he stumbled from the hedge at the side of the road or if he jumped and this was an attempt at suicide. Either way I cannot seem to get past the guilt and anxiety linked to this, I am in a state of constant hyper vigilance and see danger in everything. This has impacted on my life and mind on ways I cannot describe. I am a father to 4 children and 5 step children (9 kids in total). This has taken a huge toll on my home life. My wife has been amazing and has fought incredibly hard to get me the right help from the right people but I just don’t feel that any of the psychologists or talk therapists that I have spoken to have a clue what is actually going on in my head, it’s more of a tick box exercise each time I see one of them. It has impacted on every aspect of my life from mental health, financial, family, work and perspective on life in general. It’s hard to tell people how I feel because it has been nearly 2 months now since the accident and everyone else’s life has gone back to normal (which is fine, it’s not their problem and they have naturally moved on) but now I’m still stuck in this same place in my head, on my own. I’m trying my best daily to be “normal” but it actually eats me up. Over the Christmas period I managed to pull myself together for the sake of the children and my wife and I think people are assuming now that I’m ok and I’m past this situation but they couldn’t be further from the truth. There isn’t really a moment where I don’t reflect on what’s happened and I seem to link everything to it. I have had soooo many dark moments, thoughts of suicide or just hiding somewhere on my own, never to be seen again. It sounds stupid but I just don’t feel like there is a future without this going through my mind and I can’t do this, I can’t live in a world where this dominates my every thought. My wife even looked at signing me up as a voluntary in-patient at a local mental health hospital but this just scares the absolute s**t out of me. I don’t feel that this would be the right path for me and the very thought of it makes me just as anxious as the situation itself. I’m completely lost, I don’t feel that I will ever be able to get past this and I feel the worst is still yet to come. I have not quite hit the point where the financial side of things has become a problem yet but it is unavoidable and I can’t get out this rut. I am just burying my head and as much as I don’t want to, there isn’t anything I can do about it. I have no motivation for life. I have considered getting a job but everyone knows what has happened (small island) and everyone is on eggshells around me, it makes me feel even worse and even more guilty but I understand this is a difficult situation for others too and people don’t know what to say to me. I could go on for hours here about the impact this has had but I still wouldn’t get anywhere. This is something I have to deal with on my own because I’m the only person in my own head. Thanks for reading

By: seletron.com

seletron.com — Tue, 24 Nov 2020 07:58:02 +0000

hello!,I really like your writing so so much!
percentage we keep in touch extra about your post on AOL?
I need a specialist on this house to resolve my problem.
Maybe that is you! Having a look forward to see you.

By: Michael b.

Michael b. — Sun, 08 Nov 2020 00:48:08 +0000

In reply to Anon NB.

I don’t really know what or how to ask. In July of 2019 I was nearly crushed to death by a man who lost control of a steamroller. I can still hear the sound of the machine. Ivan still hear the sound my body was making as I was being crushed. What really bothers me today is the overwhelming amount of fear that comes over me when something startles me or loud noises. I feel like a scared little kid sometimes and I’m a 44 year old man with a family. Does this get better with time and does anyone know how long it takes. I’m just tired of feeling this way. I knew I had a long road of physical recovery ahead of me but I really didn’t know or expect the mental part of this injury. It’s been much harder to deal with. My broken body is healing but sometimes I can’t even leave the house due to fear of the what ifs. Anybody have anything helpful fore

By: Sky

Sky — Fri, 11 Sep 2020 03:01:59 +0000

In reply to Brian Thumann.

The nayional crisis hotline can help. Please call 18006624357 if you need someone to talk to.

By: Heart

Heart — Wed, 02 Sep 2020 19:21:58 +0000

In reply to Brian Thumann.

Be not dismayed what’er be tide,
God will take care of you.
Beneath His wings of love abide,
God will take care of you.

God will take care of you,
through every day o’er all the way.
He will take care of you.
God will take care of you.

By: Heart

Heart — Wed, 02 Sep 2020 19:20:08 +0000

In reply to Kate.

Be not dismayed what’er be tide,
God will take care of you.
Beneath His wings of love abide,
God will take care of you.

God will take care of you,
through every day o’er all the way.
He will take care of you.
God will take care of you.

By: Ziggy

Ziggy — Mon, 31 Aug 2020 21:13:28 +0000

All will be well for you.

By: Ziggy

Ziggy — Mon, 31 Aug 2020 20:58:05 +0000

In reply to Brian Thumann.

All will be well for you.

By: Thriveworks Editor

Thriveworks Editor — Thu, 27 Aug 2020 19:09:34 +0000

In reply to Tamara.

You can also find a list of other helpful resources here, such as the Crisis Text Line, National Domestic Violence Hotline, and more. Remember, life can get better with the right help.

By: Tamara

Tamara — Thu, 27 Aug 2020 12:40:14 +0000

In reply to Justme.

Thank you for the recommendation. I will buy it because I have CPTSD and I’m really struggling. My identical twin has severe autism, is non verbal, has CPTSD and Bi polar.
She was forcefully taken from the family home at the age of ten, and institutionalised for 30 years, for no other reason than having an intellectual disability.

She was abused, neglected, yelled at, starved, then forced fed when she became anorexic, beaten to a pulp, locked in a dark room for weeks, locked in a tiny wardrobe, raped, tested on pharmaceuticals like a guinea pig. This went on for thirty years.

She was removed from home in 1985, in a regional area in Australia.
My parents were threatened with imprisonment if they didn’t give her up.
The authorities said she needed to get an “education”.
We lived on a farm, and while our 6 siblings went to school, she didn’t because there was no special school for her in the country side.

She had been to special school in Melbourne but then we moved to the country because my parents were farmers.

Family services lied to me. They told me she was being taken away to receive an education and “special care”. Instead they took her 12 hours drive away.

This effected me immensely. I had to fight bureaucracy for two decades to become her carer. I was denied visiting rights and was prevented from talking to her on the phone.

People don’t believe my story because they think Australia is a free country. We escaped Romania (a Communist / dictatorship country at the time) and arrived when we were five. That escape in itself was traumatic.

I had a drinking problem for 15 years. It wasn’t until I was finally reunited with her that I stopped drinking. I fought my battle with no support from family or friends.
Both my parents have passed more than a 15 years ago. My sister and brothers want nothing to do with her. And these siblings have the nerve to promote themselves as devout Christians.

I have been looking after her for the last 6 years and although I’ve managed to turn her life around and she has come along way since I first took over, I am exhausted.

She no longer smears poo every where on the walls, wets the bed, or pisses on the floor instead of using the toilet.
She no longer is stuck in trauma where she screams and harms herself. She was stuck in trauma (which presents like psychosis) for nine months, until I took her to a psychiatrist.
She no longer looks like she is possessed by demons, or looks like she has multiple demon personalities coming out of her.
She no longer hides in the wardrobe in the hot humidity rocking violently.
She no longer harms herself to the same extent that she used to.
She still rips up her clothes, and still has behaviours but her life has improved.

I think I need help, because I’m exhausted.

By: Justme

Justme — Wed, 26 Aug 2020 20:21:04 +0000

In reply to Linda.

Get the book
The body keeps score
By Bessel VanDerKolk MD
It will help you heal

By: Kate

Kate — Sun, 23 Aug 2020 02:19:28 +0000

In reply to Angela walker.

Hi Angela,

I am so sorry to hear about your tragic loss’. I am also recovering from PTSD and I too am now on Teva-Mirtazapine and I take it before bed. It helps to sedate you into sleeping a full night’s rest. It has helped immensely as well as counselling. I know hearing advice feels pointless around times like these, but I have started to list out loud everything I am grateful for before I go to sleep and thank what it is I do have left in this world. Feels ridiculous, especially after losing a son, but soon it will remind you that you have a purpose here and are loved and are important in this world. If you ever need to talk, please reach out to me, and if you’re ever feeling suicidal or harmful to yourself or others please reach out to a helpline and call 911.

By: Kate

Kate — Sun, 23 Aug 2020 02:11:44 +0000

In reply to Brian Thumann.

I am with you. My brother also recently committed suicide and the system failed him completely. I’ve lost so many to drug overdoses, suicides, cruelty and more. Sometimes it’s unreal to me that I have gone through so much and continue to try and see the better side of things. But when I am alone I allow myself to be upset and remember that it is all real. It feels sort of like living a fake life. All this to say, You are not alone, though I can’t know how you feel within your own pain and grief and PTSD. Please reach out to me on here if you need anyone to talk to.

By: Angela walker

Angela walker — Wed, 12 Aug 2020 19:19:06 +0000

In reply to David M Fontaine Retire US Army.

I lost my son in November 2018 then my sister in December 25.2019.. i live in Denial confusion.having nightmares..on the inside of me it just numbness and anger I was having bad headaches Anxiety.. contacted my doctor .. she recommends mirtazapaine also conclling therapy..i m sleeping ats but im getting fash backs..i Moffat from work becuz of the traumatic stress.lord help us please

By: Anon NB

Anon NB — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 16:23:41 +0000

In reply to Riley.

Hey, Riley! I think it would be a great decision to go find someone to help you be able to cope and find comfort where you are now. i do believe flashbacks, rejection, denial, and such responses to traumatic events are PTSD. Whenever we have very very bad moments and we don’t have much support to help us recover, an initial bad crisis can affect our emotion and psychological processes to how we handle the stress and everyday life. Thankfully there are people out there who can support us. Therefore, the means to cope. Please reach out to a Trauma and PTSD counselor. Counselors specialize in Trauma and understand many PTSD patients of all different backgrounds. They will have the ability to be a support and guide, allowing you to be able to move forward and appreciate the future in a brighter picture with those whom you love. I also think that should clear up the constant episodes of grief.. however, please do find a counselor. It can be dangerous to drive around and become distracted with those episodes. Therefore, it might not only be important for your mental health, but also your physical health, to find some help. Good luck to you, Riley! I hope you find happier and easier days in your future. – NB.

By: Deela

Deela — Wed, 05 Aug 2020 06:51:18 +0000

Brian I’m so sorry about all you went through yes it’s too much to cope with. These events are over but now you are left with a lot of burdensome emotions from which you are hurting. It is possible to heal emotional trauma dear, and there are lots of youtube channels that can help you to find more about your condition. in addition to one to one counselling, and a feeling of closeness to a Higher Presence like God, Buddha, or even a spiritual guru, there are many other ways that can assist you in gradually healing these deep wounds. Even rest, sleep, walking, balanced and healthy diet sans substances, yoga, meditation, somatic therapy and so on all helps in to reverse the damage that is happening to your body and mind as a result of these severe disappointment you had to face.. LOVE your dear self Brian you are a valuable person who deserves the best from you.

Our minds can come up with painful feelings like sadness, grief, guilt, fear, anger, hate, resistance, as well as soothing ones like compassion, care, forbearance, acceptance, joy, serenity, equanimity.. eventually you can learn to move towards experiencing more of these soothing ones, as you move forward along your journey of healing.

By: Rhys Hodges

Rhys Hodges — Wed, 05 Aug 2020 05:23:06 +0000

I am a victim of sexual assault. When I was 12, I was raped at a pool nearby my house. I didn’t understand until this year that I have PTSD but now I do and I am so grateful that I can finally get some help for this illness. I always knew I had depression and anxiety of course comes with that. It’s been six years since my incident… coping is still very hard.. and this whole website was very helpful to me to finally understand why I feel certain ways and is a great explanation for everything that has happened. Like why I try to push everyone away from me.

Whoever made this website, you’re a genius and I thank you because you might have just saved this girl’s life. Thank you if you read this far as well. It’s nice to know that I am not alone.

By: Jim

Jim — Tue, 04 Aug 2020 00:57:56 +0000

over one year ago this June, while on my quiet serene daily walk, I was torn apart by an 80lb pit-bull terrier. I have been seeing a therapist. I’m alive, that’s about it. Pls Keep your dogs secured, muzzled, while they are outside. Especially if u know they have anxiety or aggression issues.

By: Thriveworks Editor

Thriveworks Editor — Wed, 29 Jul 2020 12:05:48 +0000

In reply to geri howard.

I’m so sorry to hear about what you are going through. If you are at risk of hurting yourself or others, please immediately call 911 or go to the nearest Crisis Center or Emergency Room.

By: geri howard

geri howard — Wed, 29 Jul 2020 00:48:29 +0000

It is very easy to say ‘go get help’. NOT easy to get it. I’m senior woman. Three years ago I had a ruptured aorta in tummy. Due to blood loss I had a cardiac arrest. It took several minutes for them to resuscitate me and lucky I was in the ER when event happened. I have severe ptsd…every symptom ever mentioned. Am totally numb when I should be grieving the loss of 3 siblings who died during the last year. My dear sons live far from me and have never quite understood my problems. I have every undesirable symptom including anger, impatience, depression and hyper awareness. I’m losing the few friends I had. n nIt seems no one care enough to look up ptsd. All say things they should not say, like we all have problems, sleep problems and pains here and there. I would like to end it all, and am considering trying to get the covid virus. With my other health issues I would be gone quite quickly. I need talk therapy, not a psychiatrist to give me more antidepressants. Thanks for listening.

By: Frank Edwards

Frank Edwards — Sun, 26 Jul 2020 22:43:39 +0000

well what can i say im ex army iv done a lot of things i regret and have daily/nightly flashbacks these are gaining in vividnouse on a nightly occurance in nightmares /dreams im struggling to walk down a street at times as the smallest thing as a car back firing will make me jump/drop to the ground people cant see the scars i carry as physically there not there

By: Ayesha

Ayesha — Sun, 26 Jul 2020 16:12:01 +0000

In reply to Ellen.

Do you know anyone/websites that can help like they helped you?

By: Haley Hemmings

Haley Hemmings — Fri, 24 Jul 2020 04:31:44 +0000

In reply to Linda.

I’m pro life and I’m so sorry to hear about that. I pray you feel forgiven

By: Nisa

Nisa — Wed, 22 Jul 2020 14:11:18 +0000

Though i might not be able to understand how much pain you are going through since its too much to imagine, i must say that am proud of u for making it till here. nothing is your fault. sometimes things do happen and i hope you keep fighting and contact some professional for help.

By: Alexia Cruz

Alexia Cruz — Wed, 22 Jul 2020 07:17:32 +0000

Hi.I am still only a kid at 12 years old but i want to get more help. I was sexually abused by my father at age 4-8 and at the same time my father was abusing my mother refusing her to eat and sleep he would hit her and he was a drug addict and he has guns and drugs all over the house so i have been traumatised by that and have PTSD, deppresion,anxiety,and stress. But after all of that my mom became out of control and would go partying. She also had a boyfriend ad she would beat me when he was gone.Keep that is mind I have three other sibilings im the middle child. Well i have four my father had a son with another women a couple years later. he would abuse every girlfriend like my mom and he was on drugs so he was out of control. Well moving on to today its only been 3-4 years since everything was happening at one time. But to today I take therypy but it isn’t enough i have to take pills to “fix me” and my sibilings make from of me for it, They also are very good at lying they make things up to get me in trouble and i cry every night because of all of this.Now I am very sensitive,shy, and people take avantege of me but at this point im not suprised I am sitting here writting about my feeling and hoping someone sees well this is all I have time to write But there is more I hope you are having a nice day/night bye.

By: Lucia Costin

Lucia Costin — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 01:39:30 +0000

Thank you for the article, i see a lot of people with PTSD in my practice. It is hard to accept such a diagnostic so a lot of them will not say anything they will come in for anxiety, depression feeling disconnected but in the session it comes up. Life can return to normal after trauma but it takes work. Would love to know what therapies you have tried and which worked for you

By: David M Fontaine Retire US Army

David M Fontaine Retire US Army — Thu, 16 Jul 2020 18:07:58 +0000

In reply to Brian Thumann.

Best treatment for veterans is go to the VA Hospital they really care …… I did in 2012

By: Emily

Emily — Wed, 15 Jul 2020 00:12:57 +0000

I’m mystified by the organized method of packaging trauma. Generalized antiseptic and tumbled out of someone’s dispassionate summary of unique experience. Is this how people describe their post trauma? Unlikely.

By: Kay

Kay — Fri, 10 Jul 2020 03:31:21 +0000

I recently witnessed my father pass from a heart attack. He was in icu for days and was actually doing well but ending up passing in my arms. Being a nurse has made this even more difficult and I feel responsible for his death. Along side his medical team for 16 hours we tried to save his life and in the end was not successful. I am not sleeping, I am not being social, I feel very alone and anxious about the situation. I go for therapy but I feel I am so angry and agitated that I can not get better. So frustrating.

By: Linda

Linda — Mon, 06 Jul 2020 23:56:42 +0000

In reply to Kasey.

My mother gave me PTSD…..she unwittingly tricked me into helping
her with her abortion of my baby brother….
That was 50+ years ago and I still agonize over it….
She is very angry and dismissive of me because I won’t act like it never happened…
It is hard to forget taking a little person out of a toilet to be wrapped in newspaper and never knowing what happened with him…….
He was never mentioned…. it was like he never existed….
I don’t understand how people can throw away their babies….linda

By: Roy

Roy — Fri, 03 Jul 2020 00:21:43 +0000

In reply to Steph.

Thank you for this article I am currently receiving treatment and probably like many as someone who wasn’t a soldier who had suffered what they have i found it hard to accept i have ptsd but everything in this article matches my symptoms,it has made it easier to accept my diagnosis, thank you again

By: wuuwwuwuuwuw

wuuwwuwuuwuw — Mon, 29 Jun 2020 01:32:23 +0000

In reply to Brian Thumann.

cool