Could this be PTSD?

[Wanderingguy]

many yrs ago i worked a high stress and pressure job as a corp manager as a safety professional .after the constant yrs of stress and pressure i ended up with major depression and anxiety which resulted in a 2wk stay in hospital. Eventually i gave away the safety profession. After 10yrs away i accepted a low level safety role. Within 2wksi started having flashbacks to the work and times that made me mentally unwell. Within a other 2 wks i resigned and am at a stage of self harm for the first time ever. I am 61yrs old. I am so down its not funny. Could this have been caused by PTSD?

I have been really good up until taking this new job.

[Ggrand]

Hello Dear Wanderingguy,

A very warm and caring welcome to the forums...

I am so sorry your struggling so much with your mental health...

We are not Drs here and cannot diagnose if you have PTSD or not..if you can I would like to urge you to make an appointment with your GP..and let them know how your feeling, thinking and your s/h....It’s so very important you get the help you need to help you manage your s/h...Please if you do have PTSD you will more likely need professional help to help you understand and process it all....

While you were in the hospital did they teach you any coping skills to help you when your feeling so down...Mostly coping tools/skills are in the form of distracting those negative thoughts away from your head...and onto something positive that you like doing....Music, sitting outside, meditation, a hobby you like doing, jigsaws ...Our mind can only have one thought at a time, whether it’s a negative though or positive thought....So by doing something we like..it can give our mind a little break from negativity....and keep our mind busy in a helpful way...

Talk here anytime and keep us updated on how you’re feeling....if you feel up to it..

My kindest thoughts dear Wanderingguy....

Grandy..

[Sophie_M]

Hi Wanderingguy,

Welcome to the forums and thank you for sharing your story with us here.

We are sorry to hear that you are feeling so low at the moment and to hear of what you've been through with your jobs. We understand this must be so overwhelming, especially with all you have had to go through, so please know that you never have to go through this alone, and support is always here for you.

If you would like to talk to someone, the Beyond Blue Support Service is available 24/7 by phone on 1300 22 4636 or on Webchat 1pm-12am AEST on our website: www.beyondblue.org.au/getsupport  One of our friendly counsellors will be able to talk through these feelings with you and can offer support, advice and referrals.

We also strongly urge that in overwhelming moments you get in touch with our friends at Lifeline (13 11 14) or the Suicide Call Back Service (1300 659 467).

Who do you have in your life that supports you through this? Have you been able to speak to anyone close to you about your feelings or even someone like a GP? 

We hope that you will find some comfort here on the forums. Please feel free to keep reaching out here on your thread whenever you feel up to it.

[geoff]

Hello Wanderingguy, and welcome to the forums.

As Grandy has said we aren't qualified to say but we can suggest from our own experience, and it's very possible that past events can affect you in your current position by having flashbacks which may be triggered by what's actually happening.

Sometimes we may try and hide these concerns and at times it may work, but it only takes an unexpected situation to occur that suddenly ignites your past, causing PTSD and this could be happening for you.

You need to talk about what has happened and why it's suddenly come back with a psych, and when you do talk with them, there may be other small thoughts that you have not considered to be of any harm to you.

I'm sorry this has happened.

Geoff.

[No one on earth]

Sounds like it to me. I hope your doing ok.