Hopeless

Hi Alexis, I am going through exactly the same thing at the moment, I feel your pain. Luckily I've had this for years so know that this pain will pass, if I allow it. It is so important that you look after yourself during these periods...eat properly, exercise, stay away from alcohol, and just generally keep stresses to a minimum. Some people keep themselves busy, but I personally find that this just heightens my stress levels which brings on more flashbacks at these times, so I do things that must be done in order to keep some sense of routine which I need. The worst place for me is in my bed in the dark hours, so have naps on my reclining chair with the lights on listening to calm music. I can manage the odd hour sleep, but it is better than nothing and keeps me ticking along until this bout passes.....as I know it will, as yours will. I just keep reminding myself that this is normal for us and like it has many times before, it WILL pass!!

I have in the past went to the doctor for a few nights sleeping pills when I felt it was going on for too long. I personally don't believe in medication, but it may be what you need, we are all different......ask for any help you think you may need.

During these times I find that I speak to myself, or rather my inner child. I remind myself that these things were in the past, I'm in control(even though I don't feel like I am). I make myself aware of my surroundings using all my senses. Look around you, touch things surroundin you, keep a bottle of your favourite perfume close by, wrap yourself in a favourite cosy.

I have had this since childhood, rather it came out in my teens. I am 49 now. The bouts are less frequent now, though just as frightening. What I do have on my side is the experience of knowing that it will pass and knowing what helps me. I accept it, don't question it, just do what I can do to ease it, until it is ready to leave me alone again.

I wish you well and hope this is of some help to you. Take care X

Is this new or has it being going on awhile?

Hi Alexis

Sorry your hear ur having a ruff time just now. Are you under a phyciatrist and taking any medication? I am asking that because after seeing mine the other day he has put me on 25mg of Quetiapine to help me with nightmares. I havnt started them yet so i cant say for sure theyl work!! I also take 100mg of Sertraline for depression. I havnt had a diagnoses of PTSD but i certainily tick all the boxes for it, i will discuss this at my next appointment although i believe i would still be on the same medication. I will let you no how i get on with new medication and i hope this may be of help to you.

I know it won't help but same thing for me. flashbacks hurt like hell and don't you wish there was a way to make sure they only came at us when we're somewhere quiet and there's nobody about? concentration is mighty hard and i find that to make myself do something positive for me results in that 'look'. you end up staring at something somewhere and people call it the thousand yard stare and! worse even think you're mad and dangerous. fact is i've never hirt anyoen. would hurt me quicker than anyone else. happiness would depend on your definition of the word? i think being rid of the flashbacks and everything else going on for us would feel like we stepped into paradise. then we could rest and get over too much. i do hope something good happens for us all. i guess we have to keep going even though some days we really don't want to go out but then ... maybe we're stronger than we know? i often ask myself how others wouyld feel if they went through all this and maybe they wouldn't/couldn't cope with any of it? sending you a big hug