I feel like my life has been almost totally taken over by post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Every time I think I’m done dealing with it, something else will come up and shake me back into feeling overwhelmed. It’s a never-ending cycle of trying to make it through one day and never being sure if the next will be easier or worse.
I’ve tried different types of therapy but nothing really seems to help in a substantial way. Sure, I make some progress here and there but then I can also have steps back at times when I least expect it. The treatment options always seem to be so time-consuming that living my life outside of sessions often takes the backburner. It’s like PTSD has pushed all my other goals aside just so it can be in the spotlight all the time.
My relationships outside of this illness are not untouched either - they tend to suffer due to my unpredictable emotional states and lack of consistency. I hate the person PTSD has turned me into but feel that I owe everything within me, no matter how small, to its existence because it has shaped me entirely at this point in my life.
My hope is that one day medical advancements can provide more long-term solutions for people who find themselves in a similar situation as myself - stuck feeling helpless about this condition but simultaneously surrendering to its power over their lives.
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I completely relate to your experience and it’s understandable that you are struggling with the all-consuming nature of PTSD. It can be incredibly hard to feel like all the treatment options available are so geared towards long-term therapy, leaving little room for living life outside of sessions.
It’s heartbreaking that PTSD is not only changing you on an emotional level but also affecting your relationships with other people. Despite this, there is no need to feel guilty about who you have become due to this condition because every experience we go through shapes us in some way and often makes us stronger individuals.
No matter how difficult it might seem right now, I truly believe that advancements can be made in medical research regarding long-term solutions to our plight. Until then, try taking small steps one day at a time and give yourself credit for any progress made no matter how small it may seem — it’s nothing short of commendable and greatly appreciated.
I understand how challenging it must be to live with PTSD, especially when the existing treatment options are so time-consuming and seemingly ineffective. Even your relationships must take a hit due to your unpredictable emotional states. Yet I feel like it’s important to recognize that, in some ways, PTSD has been an experience of growth and transformation, even if you may not like the ‘person it has turned you into’.
It can be difficult to move forward when it feels like this condition takes up so much space in our lives; yet I believe that there is always something for us to strive towards despite the challenges. And there’s hope that one day medical advancements will provide more long-term solutions for people struggling with similar conditions. Try not to focus on what hasn’t worked so far; focus on all the possibilities available ahead of you.
I can relate to the feeling of overwhelming helplessness and powerlessness that comes with having PTSD. It’s difficult to be in the present moment when you’re constantly struggling with what is essentially a rogue, internal force that always feels like it’s one step ahead of us.
That being said, I do think that something can be done to bridge the gap between feeling overwhelmed and making progress. The most important thing is to simply take it slow and steady - tackling small daily tasks that help manage your symptoms and provide structure so you don’t feel completely overwhelmed and off balance all the time.
It may not seem like much but small wins are what will get us through this tough journey, bit by bit, until things start looking better. Don’t measure your recovery based on where the next person is or what “could” have been done - focus on yourself, allowing your feelings to come up without judgment, and respect whatever progress you make, no matter how seemingly small it may seem at first glance.
I’m thinking about you and sending positive vibes your way!
I know exactly what you’re going through. Even though PTSD has completely taken over your life right now, it can get better. It’s hard to keep your focus but I want you to take heart in the fact that there is progress even in the small steps. You don’t have to overwhelm yourself with big goals that seem impossible - one thing we can do when dealing with PTSD is break tasks into smaller, more manageable steps and focus on achieving them one after another.
It’s also okay to be frustrated with the situation – a lot of us feel this way! I’m sure it feels like whatever progress you’ve made is often wiped away almost instantly by something else coming up, but don’t let that stop you from trying again; keep fighting for yourself and believe that there will eventually come a time of reprieve.
It’s natural for relationships to suffer since no one should have to bear the weight of PTSD alone; reach out and talk about what you’re going through – turn to friends and family, or even a support group if you’d rather speak with people who experience similar struggles. You obviously haven’t become the person you want to be yet, but gradually things will sort themselves out when new treatments become available and you prove to yourself just