My God! I STILL have PTSD symptoms!

[rbnyc]

Will I EVER get over it???

I was just in a thread about speeding, and I got upset, because if the driver who hit us last year weren't speeding, the accident may not have been so bad. I know that if I hadn't lost that baby, I wouldn't have my son now. And I'm so grateful for my son. He's perfect and wonderful. Ah! I'm so confused.

So I got out of that thread before I got too upset. Then the phone rang, and the person on the other end was laughing, but it sounded like crying. So in the split-second that I thought it was crying I was sure it was my mother-in-law calling to say something had happened to my son. (He's at Grandma's today.)

It took less than a second to figure out it was one of our volunteers laughing, but my heart is still pounding. I can hardly breathe. I'm shaking. I'm freezing cold. And I feel like I'm going to vomit.

Now I just want to go be with my son. But my lunch break is over in 3 minutes and I have to wrap my head around work again.

Will I EVER be okay? Will I EVER get over it? My god, think what our troops are going through. Think what Iraqi parents are going through. Think what Mothers and Children in Africa are going through. And I can't get over a stupid car accident that happened over a year ago!

I feel like putting my head through the wall!

[flamingyouth]

1. Oh sweetie, it's only been a year

Of course you're going to still feel like this at times. It's totally normal. Here, have a :hug:

[rbnyc]

7. Thanks for the hug.

I'm starting to calm down. I'm taking an extra couple minutes before I get back to work.

:loveya:

[flamingyouth]

9. Good for you - take a little extra time on your break

You know, I think the holidays add extra stress, even if we're happy and things are going well. There's just so much more traffic, more stuff to do, and all that.

Again, what you're feeling is completely normal. :loveya:

[motely36]

2. Deep Breaths...

I'm sure it will all be better soon.

:)

[rbnyc]

5. Thanks.

I'm taking an extra 5 minutes for lunch. Thanks for being here.

[Phillycat]

3. Sweetheart, this is TOTALLY normal!

It was traumatic and you have EVERY RIGHT to still think about it and be shaken by it! You almost died.

That said, have you been to therapy about it? They have very effective techniques for PTSD now.

[rbnyc]

4. I was in therapy but took a break

around the time I had the baby. Now I'm trying to get back into it, but it's hard to schedule. I need to figure it out tho.

Thanks.

[RobinA]

13. Definitely Do Therapy

with someone who is experienced with PTSD. There IS help out there for this kind of problem.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

17. This is great advice!

You might also look into a PTSD support group.

:hug::hug::hug:

[GOPisEvil]

6. I can't offer advice on PTSD...

...but I can offer one of these :hug:

[rbnyc]

8. My Sweety!!

That means a lot!!

:loveya:

[DoBotherMe]

11. Speaking from experience

I have ptsd and although the symptoms have subsided my brain still wants my body to flee. But now I am able to stop the anxiety reactions by telling myself it's the ptsd and there is NO THREAT. Maybe someday the brain chems will quit reacting too. (The visual flashbacks have become less threatening too...I run them through slow motion imagery so that I can review them 'clinically' rather than feel them emotionally.) I feel for ya!
Dana ; ) :hug:

on edit: oops I meant to reply to the orig post.

[wryter2000]

10. Insight

You know what's happening to you, so you can cope with it. You're doing well, so give yourself a break. Hang in there and be easy on yourself.

[demnan]

12. You've been through a lot

and you're couping as best you can. And your friends are here to give you a :hug: when you need it.

[frictionlessO]

14. yes you will, you are a kind and strong person from what Ive seen

you post here. Thats all it takes, that and time...:hug:

[ernstbass]

15. There is no time limit on PTSD or grief

but in this society we're expected to "get over it" quickly.. Stick with your therapy and give yourself time and permission to "feel"- Good luck

[faithnotgreed]

16. what a great person

you sound so thoughtful and caring and normal!! that is, if there is such a thing as normal...

here you are, traumatized right now. youve clearly been through an ordeal (for which time and love and support and laughter etc will get you through), and you still manage to post about your concern for others
that tells me right there that you wont just be fine - youll be great.

i wish you and your husband and your baby all the best. ive seen some of your posts and know youve gone through some very tough times, and are still dealing with aftershocks. but youre all in this together and of course youve got great people here to talk to whenever you want.

warmest wishes to all of you. i hope youre feeling better