Lived Experience Forum

[janedoe2]

I recently learnt that ptsd can be resolved but I will always have memories. I have been searching for information about living life after treating ptsd and no longer having active symptoms. I don't get flashbacks with all the sensory overload that would happen but I do get intense memories. Has anyone resolved ptsd? What does life look like when treatment has worked? I think I'm there. Just interested in others experiences.

[pip]

Hi janedoe2. With PTSD, the knowledge that it can be controlled is a positive thing. I found, for me personally, the memories I have I've managed to store in a 'box'. Every so often I visit said 'box' just out of curiosity. The fact that there is no more 'hurt' from the memory in the box, tells me the memory is just that, a bad memory. Because I've been successful in my attempts at boxing the bad memories, I can now walk away from the hurt that was part of the bad memories. My PTSD has also faded, to the point where it no longer controls me. It has taken years to get to this point, but with therapy, a good support team who understand when I feel 'down', I have gotten past the bad part. The knowledge, the memories will always be there, simply tells me, I'm a warm, caring person who knows how to empathize. When you can really hear someone's pain and you can support without 'taking it on', you'll know you've come full circle.

[Decadian]

Hi @janedoe2

I haven't seen you before so I would like to welcome you to the website - I am sure you will find this a helpful place to be

About memories and PTSD - I am still haunted by memories - I don't think I will ever forget them - but they are part of my life and the idea is how to live without them crashing in a making things so hard at times

I have a toxic sister who has caused so much grief in the family - and somehow I can let what she did to me go - and it doesn't bother me much at all now - even though she can still get under my skin - it's just the way she is and I keep away from her

But in hurting me she has hurt other people in the family more and I find this hard - our now deceased parents had terrible regrets - and even now my dd and nephew are suffering from the past nastiness - and there is nothing I can do or say to change that -

Those memories are painful and will not shift - I did not cause any of this - I didn't deserve any of it - but people make choices - and if they suffer from their choice it's their life

But to answer your question - you will remember - the idea is to learn to live with the memories

And I wish you the best with this

Decadian

[Acacia]

Hi @janedoe2

Welcome to the Forums

I love your idea of sharing stories about recovery – it can be so helpful to read about others’ strategies and experiences.

There are several members on the Forums who have been on their own journeys with PTSD. I know @utopia has mentioned that their PTSD has been treated successfully and has posted about a therapeutic approach that was helpful for them here.

@Rexy has also posted here about his experience.

@PAL, @Jak33 and @Lonelygirl also have experience of PTSD.

@utopia, @Rexy, I understand you have both come along way with learning to resolve or live with PTSD. Please feel free to share your insights and experience with @janedoe2 and others.

[utopia]

Hi @janedoe2. Yes I had PTSD from a workplace incident. After seeing a counselor for 5 months, he said that I would be better off seeing someone who specialises in EMDR (eye movement desensitisation reprograming). Stupid name I know.
I had 4 or 5 counseling session with her & then when I felt ready we did the EMDR. 2 - 3 sessions. That's all it took. Although the longer you have PTSD for, maybe more treatments are needed.
End result - the memory of the incident has been put into its proper place in my brain. I can talk about the whole incident without any reoccurance of emotions. From literally dropping to the ground and peeing my pants when I heard my trigger. Now nothing. I remember it all. I feel sad that it happened and angry with work for not protecting me. But my body does nothing. No tightening up of muscles. No heart pounding. No breathing issues. No fear. Nothing. Telling the story is a bit like telling people of my trip to get milk and bread. Boring and no emotions. I'd be happy to talk with you about it further if you wish. Just let me know

[utopia]

@janedoe2. I hope I didn't sound too blaze. I didn't mean it that way.
For me I only had the one incident that led to the PTSD, therefore it was a quick process to treat. For some people there may be multiple incidents over time. In which case more sessions would probably be needed.
It's not an easy process because you have to go back and remember everything that happened. Smells, noises. What was said. How your body reacted. Etc. That's extremely painful. But by the end of the session, your not feeling it, or seeing or smelling it. You are calm.
I will give a warning though:
Like any therapy, the practitioner has to be good. Make sure any practitioner has done more than just the first course in learning EMDR. Check they have successfully treated others who have had PTSD. And check if they are listed with the EMDR Association of Australia.
I wish you continued luck in your recovery

[Shaz51]

Hello @Adge

[Adge]

@Shaz51Hi & thanks.

@utopiaYour experience with EMDR was worth reading, thanks. I'm glad that it helped you.

Unfortunately most EMDR professionals (psychologists or other) - refuse to use it with complex PTSD clients. I know, because I've asked several (& that's what they told me).

They consider it potentially too re-triggering for complex trauma, so they won't do it. That really upset me, because I was hoping for a treatment technique that might make a bigger (or faster) difference.

Adge

[utopia]

That must be so disappointing @Adge. It is true that the earlier you receive treatment - the better the outcome. So what are people who live with cptsd meant to do?
I'll tag you in a post I just read. Called something about stress - but is really more about ptsd.

[janedoe2]

@Adge @utopia Hello. Thank you for your replies. The way I was able to get better from CPTSD was to find a PTSD Specialist psychiatrist and speak to him for four years every fortnight. I was unsure if it would work or how long it would take. As I improved I resigned myself to the process and didn't focus on the time factor. I lost so much time to CPTSD and decided the quality of life I could achieve with treatment was worth it. This worked for me.