C-PTSD

Distraction

Hey, anyone else know if they have complex post traumatic stress disorder?

I think It's like long term PTSD with a few extra things, apparently it's a rather new discovery so some medical professions/ therapists aren't aware of it yet.

I recently started going to therapy (a pal of mine is the only one that knows) I go privately cos I can't have it on my record which is costing me an arm and a leg, but it'll be worth it if it works.

One of the major things for me is freezing in certain situations and shutting down, as well as dissociation to quite a high level, or they're at least the two parts of it I want to work on the most at the moment.

I hate it if I'm being honest, it's difficult doing all of this, especially living with my dad and step mum.

I want to tell them whats going on but just everything that'd come along with it is so off putting and exhausting to think about, like all the questions and if they'll believe cptsd is actually a thing and why I'm wasting money and I'd really hate for them to see me as "weak". I am strong, I've been through so much, I don't need folk tearing me down because I decided to get help and loan and behold something is actually wrong with me, it isn't just feeling bad.

It is good tho, it means progress, it's onwards and upwards to understanding myself and hopefully feeling like a person again.

Sorry, so yeah, anyone else had something like this? It'd be really interesting to hear from you or anyone for that matter.

Thanks

lunarcat522

@Distraction I strongly believe I have C-PTSD due to ongoing distress at school and being treated very poorly by teachers. I also freeze and dissociate and am having issues reaching out via the NHS as I still live at home, for similar reasons to yourself. My mum struggled to even understand why I still needed counselling, so I seriously doubt she would understand me seeking specialist help. Both my parents, for the most part are very anti-diagnosis regarding mental health and neurodivergency. They are supportive but unfortunately I feel I have to hide the fact that yes, I'm still struggling, due to the fact they're not very good at handling whenever I'm upset or comprehending that I'm still hurting, even though the trauma has passed.

Unfortunately I don't feel like I can talk to my peers at college or friends about it, but I do have a solid support network with my lecturers who have been very lenient and understanding for the most part. I'm not sure if you're in education but it's really impacting upon mine but it helps to get in contact with student support for a support profile which just outlines your background to lecturers and support strategies. We are lucky at our college that we have mental health first aid, which I have unfortunately made use of, but it's reassuring to know it's there.

Jellyelephant

Hey,

I have CPTSD I was told by a psychiatrist through my local mental health team. I think it’s definitely growing in awareness amongst professionals and the public but it’s certainly a newer phenomenon I believe.

I also am accessing private therapy. I have had numerous different treatments through the nhs but they were all short term and didn’t really work for me. Private therapy is the best thing I ever did, my therapist is great and has helped me more than I could ever say.

I experience dissociation and that’s difficult. Grounding techniques can help when you’re experiencing that kind of thing. Have you heard of them? If not give it a google there’s some good grounding techniques most use your senses to ground you.

Hope this helps
Jelly

Loz

Hi,

I have suspected cptsd, but have never been formally diagnosed. I struggle also with high level dissociation to the point it's affecting college and stuff, it's very frustrating. And I also freeze in situations, like my mind goes completely blank and I don't react at all. I also have a lot of trust issues, and struggle maintaining relationships.

Sending hugs 🖤🖤

lunarcat522

@Loz I'm exactly the same, it's an awful thing to deal with. If you ever want to talk about it feel free to, as I know how difficult it can be

Distraction

lunarcat522 wrote: »

My mum struggled to even understand why I still needed counselling, so I seriously doubt she would understand me seeking specialist help. Both my parents, for the most part are very anti-diagnosis regarding mental health and neurodivergency. They are supportive but unfortunately I feel I have to hide the fact that yes, I'm still struggling, due to the fact they're not very good at handling whenever I'm upset or comprehending that I'm still hurting, even though the trauma has passed.

Hey @lunarcat522 , It's crazy, this sums up my parents pretty much as well lol

I understand the just get on with it attitude mine have and sometimes it's a good way, just focus on something and get it done but when u need help, it's time to stop and ask for it. Theres nothing wrong with that, everyone needs a helping hand now and again, why can't they just see that.

That's so good to hear about ur lecturer being supportive! And well done for opening up to him a bit, I wish I done the same in college, if I had got help and not listened to my parents and found out what I was going through, I think I would have and I might have even finished the course. I found it really hard to do the work and go in everyday, I hope you get the best help you can, you're doing amazing dealing with this and trying to stay on top of the course!

Distraction

Hi @Jellyelephant , Thanks for your reply, I'm glad you found a good therapist! They aren't easy to come by so I hear, Mine is lovely, still early days to see if she's the right one but I hope so.

Thanks for the grounding techniques idea, I've tried a few out, it's hard work lol but I feel like the breathing ones with pressing my feet into the ground are good ones.

Thanks again!

Distraction

Hey @Loz , sounds rough, it's a hard road isn't it, I'm sorry you can relate so much, thank you for the hugs and sending tones back your way!

Always here mate

lunarcat522

@Distraction Thank you so much, it's hard going but I'm not at the quitting stage yet! The fact that my college is being really supportive has made a massive difference - they've helped facilitate GP phone calls with me and have advocated on my behalf too. I have a lot of assessments piling up so things are getting a bit stressful, but there is an extension system in place so I know I have something to fall back on, if I struggle to get one in.

It's definitely key to talk to someone and it doesn't really matter who it is, it just helps people understand that you're going through it, which might explain your recent behaviours/attitudes. I have a brief overview of my history in a shared document for the lecturers as I'm identified as a student requiring additional support so it means they're aware why I might be acting off or struggling.