Trying to get better, not sure I'm so great at it.

[VicA]

I was diagnosed with PTSD over a decade ago now.

It came with a dose of hyper-vigilance (not sure of the spelling).

At the time, I was told by the government appointed psychologist that my hypervigilance was probably necessary for my survival, and it could be treated later, but for now I needed it.

I did end up needing it.

The person involved was later convicted of threat to kill and breach of intervention order (convicted again on appeal to the higher court).

My intervention order basically lasts (and was granted before all of this) for until we both die.

I just don't know how to get better now.

I have spent so long, looking for the danger, I don't know how to turn off, and just look at the pretty ...

It was before now, this is just one. Before is probably about the same worse. Blah. how?

How do I get better? I actually tried calling today - I got hung up on. And told off, before that. Yay. Apparently, if I mention what I am stressing about, that is confrontational to the person doing their job. And they are allowed to just hang up. When I am telling them that I am stressed about xxxxxxxx.

[Croix]

Dear VicA~

I think you have probably come to the right place, there are many here who can understand having been though similar ourselves. I for example have had PTSD, anxiety and bouts of depression for a very long time. Fortunately things are manageable for me now, I'm mostly in a pretty good place.

Hyper-vigilance does indeed come as part of the delightful PTSD package and I guess most of us have experienced it to one degree or another.

I never got better all by myself, so don't know how to do that, or even how possible that is. A very long history of treatment, therapy and meds, together with time and the removal of the major trigger factor - my occupation - has, as I say, done quite a good job for me.

Do you mind if I ask if you are under treatment nowadays? You did talk about what happened 10+ years ago, though to be frank that remark about you needing hyper-vigilance sounds a bit off to me, but then I'm not a doctor.

There are things I do that help me try to reduce all symptoms: reliving the past, nightmares, physical symptoms, anxiety and so on. These steps are nothing extraordinary. Just trying to live a healthy life, with exercise, a good diet, sufficient restful sleep plus avoiding whatever triggers I can and matters that increase my background stress.

Add to that regular distractions from everyday life and things to look forward to. Mindfulness in the form of the free smartphone app Smiling Mind is of great assistance as well.

None of these specifically address hyper-vigilance, I have a feeling that is something therapy (plus time) needs to work on.

I'm sorry you had an unfortunate experience on a help line. While not taking their side I can see in some situations the on-line staff could be overwhelmed by people's misfortunes. It's something that applies here too. Anything too explicit is not allowed as there are many who are very fragile and can react badly (our Forum is read by all).

That being said I'm sure simple common sense is enough. People do have to talk about their experiences and reactions after all.

If you would like to return and talk again you are going to be very welcome

Croix

[White_Rose]

Dear VicA

Hello and welcome to Beyond Blue. We try our best to offer the help you need and Croix has written a great reply to you.

I am a little confused. When you say you phoned up, can you tell us where you phoned? Was it here at BB, the psychologist you have been seeing...? I can get confused very easily so please excuse my lack of understanding.

When I get upset I find I can easily raise my voice because I am desperate to be heard and understood. It's not aggression but can be seen that way. The folk who answer helplines, as Croix has said, hear about a lot of pain which can be distressing. Personally I think if a helpline operator is getting edgy they should get off the phone. It's not the fault of the caller and it is very disheartening to be cut off.

Having said that I hope you will try the BB helpline if you get distressed. I have phoned several times and found them most helpful.

Hyper-vigilance comes with the territory of PTSD. Not knowing the exact circumstances of your event I cannot give an opinion but I am inclined to agree that if you could be in danger you need to be alert. However you are not in danger now I gather and being hyper-vigilant is exhausting.

If you are not seeing the psychologist now or any mental health professional I suggest you start doing so. Make an appointment, a long one, with your GP and explain what is happening. If you are like me and struggle to get the words out or sound anything like coherent then I suggest you print out your post and take it with you.

Your GP can assess your difficulty and refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist and/or prescribe some meds such as an antidepressant. Or perhaps something I have not thought of. Make sure you ask all the questions you want.

When I start getting intrusive thoughts and I recognised what was happening, I go and do something active. Weeding the garden springs to mind, walking, go to the gym. Compile a list of activities you like doing and put the list on the fridge or similar. You need this list to have an immediate activity to do. Doesn't work if you then need to spend time wondering what you can do, largely because the other thoughts get in the way.

Please let us know how you are going.

Mary