Treatment for PTSD

[empathy47]

I have had a recent diagnosis of PTSD & want some info about support groups and effective treatment specific to PTSD . I have suffered severe physical abuse and bullying in my life.

[BballJ]

Hi empathy47,

Firstly, welcome to the forums. Well done for reaching out for help with your recent diagnosis with PTSD. I haven't had much to do with PTSD but I am sure there are some great people who will comment with more direct advice for you.

I wanted to offer my support to you and happy to be a sound board if you wish to vent, this thread is yours so you can post as much as you like. One thing I will say generally we aren't allowed to give advice of support groups on the forums but it may be worth calling the Beyond Blue helpline on 1300 22 4636, they are available 24/7 and can point you in the right direction for help.

Again, please feel free to post back as much as you like.

My best for you,

Jay

[MsPurple]

Hi empathy47 and welcome to the forums

Sorry I do not have PTSD but plenty of users do. I am sure one of our other community champions with experience will aslo post on this forum as well and add a personal touch. In the mean time please copy and paste the following weblinks for more information

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/anxiety/types-of-anxiety/ptsd

https://www.sane.org/mental-health-and-illness/facts-and-guides/post-traumatic-stress-disorder

Have gone to see a GP about your PTSD and stressors/anxieties. If not I suggest you discuss it with them as they can refer you to a psychologist who maybe about to help you deal with the stress associated with PTSD.

Hope some of this helps.

MP

[White_Rose]

Dear Empathy

Hello and welcome to the forum. It's great that you have posted here. I will give you another resource to check out. This is the Black Dog Institute which has information on PTSD. https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/clinical-resources/post-traumatic-stress-disorder

You can search on online for support groups in your area. As Jay has said we cannot do this for you.

How are you feeling? It must have been a shock to be told you have PTSD but I imagine there would also be relief that someone has recognised your pain and hurt from the past. You have now started the recovery journey. Beyond Blue forums will always be here to support and help you as much as possible, so feel free to write in as often as you can.

When you are feeling really fed up with the way things happen, please come and talk to us here. We would love to know more about you such as what you do for a living, activities and hobbies, and importantly how much support you have. However all this is up to you. It's good to talk about other things at times.

Mary

[Guest_9809]

Hello Empathy47. I add my welcome to that of the other members who have already responded to you.

I too have been diagnosed with PTSD, as a result of a sexual assault some years back. It came as somewhat of a shock when I received my diagnosis as it just didnt occur to me that it was even a possibility. I thought it was for emergency support workers and military personnel. But that simply isnt the case, it can affect anybody who has experienced extreme trauma. Certainly now that I know more about the disorder, I fit all the criteria perfectly. I just tried to shove it all under the carpet for way too long. I'm glad that it appears as though you have been proactive and have sought assistance when you realised that things were not quite right with you. That takes guts and determination, something I guess I lacked for a long time. So I applaud you sincerely.

We are unable to recommend specific support groups here on the forums, but you can contact the help line here on 1300 22 4636 and they will be able to suggest something for you in your local area.

There are a number of very effective treatments used for the treatment of PTSD. They include CBT, Exposure Therapy and EMDR. These threatments are all undertaken with your therapist, generally a clinical psychologist. There are also medications which often help and many self-help natural methods that your therapist can help you with.

Can I ask you who diagnosed you with PTSD? For example, was it your GP, psychiatrist or clinical psychologist? The reason I ask is to get a bit of an idea of what backup support you already have on hand.

It is very important that you have some trusted people to support you right now, so I hope you have family or friends who are nearby to help you through this diagnosis and likely treatment ahead of you. I would really love to hear back from you a little more about your situation. This site is secure and your anonymity is protected through moderation of the forums, so please feel safe to be honest and open.

I would suggest that you may like to read a few of other members stories here on the forums. Take a look at the "PTSD & Trauma" section of the forums and read through some of the existing threads there. There are also a number of PTSD specific member's threads in the "Long Term Support" section. Feel free to reply to any of the existing threads, and members will always appreciate your input or comments you chose to contribute.

Look forward to hearing from you again.

Taurus

[turtle50]

Search for a good pyschologist. Work with your pyschologist to develop grounding techniques. Be prepared to be overwhelmed with all sorts of emotions. If you can? and if you feel ok? search for your own answers. But? working with a pyschologist is good I think. Support groups are ok but? the range of emotions you may feel can be daunting. I am saying is be aware is all. I suffer from PTSD. It is different for everyone I think tho I'm no expert just a consumer of services. I don't want to say anything to reveal sensitive issues but? it is a journey and be aware that you 'may' have emotions you are not use to...

[Guest_9809]

All very true Turtle50, and thanks so much for your thoughtful and informative input to Empathy47.

I see that you are a new member too Turtle and that this is your first post. So I welcome you to the BB Forums. Do you intend starting a thread of your own, so you can introduce yourself? Perhaps the members here can be of benefit and support to you as well. Certainly I'd like to try, as I'm sure would many others here.

Its always good to speak to fellow PTSD sufferers. Its such a complex disorder and here we are all 'just consumers of services'. But being able to compare experiences, and knowing what to expect, is often very helpful to those who are yet to travel the road that some others have already travelled.

So, I hope to see you around again, and I will definitely look out for any new threads from you.

Empathy47 - I hope to hear back from you soon, and I trust you are doing well.

Kindest regards,

Taurus