Jazzmin_15, I never discredit young people until they give me reason to. When I was 16 I'd been through more than some adults and could have helped others more, too. The fact that you're here and contributing says a lot about your character. :)
Thank you for the pro list. It is very important that I remember these things, you're right.
In the wake of "Sandy" I was at the therapist's office yesterday, and she commented that some of my problem stems from what could be a severe lack of confidence, which would explain why I could not think of any pros. :P
It's just been since Katrina, and in these seven years my confidence has declined, especially when jobs were affected, my writing slowed down or stopped, and I doubted my every parenting move (which I know is common for "normal" people). I used to break up fights and be able to stand up to people, stand up for myself more, before New Orleans. Now I feel weary, unable, weak.
I bought Passion Flower and started taking it to calm my nerves/body. I don't want to go by the way of meds at this point. I half-joked with my therapist about hypnotherapy - has anyone tried it?
I just want to go back to normal, the tough B*@#%* I used to be. LOL! On the PLUS side, if building my confidence will help matters, it is something I CAN change and work on, so that's something to look forward to.
But how does one REALLY build confidence? I know the basics, be positive, dress nicely, eat and sleep well, smile...
The biggest pro: U survived it all.
Some other pros: You have now gained enough experience, and have more sympathy i'm sure cause of ur experiences. U r now able to help others. That's a rather big pro. You will be protective of ur children which is also, a pretty good thing.
You can spend ur entire life looking at how those expiriences impacted u negatively, but it will drive u crazy. U have to see life from both perspectives. I know it's easier said then done. But u need to try. I'm still working on it. It takes longer for some than others.
If you ever need to talk, I'm here...I may be young, but I can help. I'm still someone who can listen to your problems and offer advice if u need it :)
Jazzmin_15, nobody in their right mind would call me boring or a whimp. LOL! I've had many adventures in my day.
Again, not sure how to make a "pro" side of a pros and cons list. I can think of many cons.
Thank you for commenting! :)
I sort of understand what your going through. I'm glad that you spoke about it...it helped me in my post :) I'm here for you if you need someone to talk to other than a therapist. Lol actually your situation doesn't seem that rare to me...I think you'd be surprised at the amount of people that were in the same or a similar situation as you. You never know unless you try, eh? I really hope that things get better for you. And I agree with drifter0213, writing a pros and cons list definatly helps.
What you have to do though is welcome those memories, not push them away. It's stuck in there like glue. The more you tap it down, the more it sticks there, and the more you let it go, the more free you'll be of it. Your mind is replaying that event because it is stuck there like glue. It's like a subconscience thing. You're mind still thinks that it's going on. I know, easier said than done. I'm trying it....it's slowly working for me.
We can wish it never happened but it did, and for a reason...I think my reason was to bring me closer to God, and my dad, and to realize that YOLO so I should enjoy life and not take it as seriously as I used to.
But I totally understand what you mean by getting angry at a memory, and people thinking you have anger managment problems, not wanting to do something that reminds you of the event, and people calling you boring, being scared and people calling you a whimp, and not trusting people while people distance themselves from you for that reason...
I see my counselor on the 30th, I think I'll ask her opinion. On a calm day I'm fine, perfectly happy. It's just the triggers that sneak up so quickly and unexpectantly. :P
I want to thank you again for your help. :)
they normally treat PTSD with anti-dpressants
I'm afraid of meds. I'm not even sure what kinds are out there.
I often wonder if groups would make me feel more lonely, because I have such a ...rare kind of story. I am going back to my counselor at the end of the month for follow-ups.
there is group therapy.counseling. meds. support groups. peer groups. NAMI and i use google to research my illnesses and medhelp of course :)
Helicopters flew over every minute, the big, thumping, army kind. They went to get people off of their roofs and I held my breath with each one passing. At night, they were the only light source for the few seconds and then it was pitch black again. It was the only steady, repetitive thing in N.O. Maddening at times, comforting at others.
I made a "type" of list. I uh... wrote a book if that counts. LOL! I'm not sure what good things came out of it. I think going back to therapy is the next best step, but I think my big question is, what else can I do?
Thank you for responding, drifter0213. :)
helicopters bother me too! i think it's great that you identify your triggers i did it for my addictions also make a list of what good came out of your trauma and what bad came out too ask yourself if your making the right steps to deal&cope with PTSD