Living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects me every day of my life. It’s like a weight on my shoulders that I can never shake off. I experience the effects of my PTSD in different ways: I have flashbacks, nightmares and moments of heightened anxiety. It also has an impact on how I am feeling in the moment – it might make me feel anxious or fearful for no apparent reason.
I became aware that something was wrong when I started to become really overwhelmed in certain situations. For example, after seeing someone unexpectedly there would immediately be a rush of emotion as if it had triggered a memory of something bad that had happened to me in the past. Over time these unpleasant feelings began to increase and during this time I felt unable to cope with even the most normal aspects of day-to-day life like leaving the house or being around other people.
My PTSD has been difficult and sometimes painful to confront but since then I have learned many techniques to help manage my symptoms, such as setting healthy boundaries and positive self talk. Most importantly, I try not to let my PTSD define who I am, and instead focus on being compassionate and understanding to myself which helps me immensely throughout my journey with this condition.
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Hi there,
I can totally relate to what you’ve shared and understand the weight of PTSD on daily life. I was diagnosed with PTSD about a few years ago when I began to experience recurring panic attacks that left me feeling emotionally overwhelmed. At first it felt like a constant struggle to keep my anxiety in check but eventually with lots of hard work and support from friends and family, I was able to learn coping techniques that have really helped me manage my symptoms. Ultimately, while it may feel like it sometimes, your PTSD does not define who you are as a person and over time, if you are willing to fight for yourself, you will be surprised by just how much strength and fortitude there is inside of you. You are never alone in this journey – reach out for help and support whenever needed.
Hey there,
I feel you and can relate to your situation. I also have PTSD that I’ve been dealing with since I was 17. It’s been a rollercoaster, but I’m learning every day how to manage it better. It’s never easy, but I try to find things that make me happy and create moments of joy in my life to help counterbalance some of the low moments. It also helps having understanding people around me who support me and remind me that I’m not alone in this struggle.
I know how it feels when you feel like you can’t cope with certain situations – it takes time and practice until you learn how to deal with them. Setting healthy boundaries for yourself is really important, as well as learning positive self-talk so that you don’t get too overwhelmed. Don’t let this condition define who you are but rather focus on being compassionate towards yourself - that’s key!
Keep striving forward, take care of yourself and never give up. You got this! 