PTSD

There is no timeline for PTSD recovery. It involves lifestyle changes, developing coping skills, and self-awareness. The duration varies from person to person because the nature of the trauma that causes PTSD differs, and each person’s response is unique.

How long PTSD lasts depends on factors relating to the trauma itself as well as to the person and his/her life.

Experiencing multiple traumas tends to make PTSD last longer, as do repetitive traumas, intentional traumas, human-induced traumas, and sexual assaults. The duration of illness can be prolonged by other trauma or mental conditions. A broad base of coping skills and social support has a healing effect.

Research has proven therapy to be helpful in reducing and overcoming PTSD. Therapy reduces the duration of PTSD because as the therapist and client work together,

Trauma’s negative impact is decreased and the person can return to his/her earlier level of functioning

The person learns effective, healthy coping skills so PTSD doesn’t last as long

Memories, negative thoughts and intense feelings become easier to deal with

Healthy new behaviors are learned to replace PTSD-induced avoidance, anger, etc.

Sometimes, there are lingering effects post recovery. Positive feelings, trust, and a sense of closeness and intimacy can seem out of reach for a long time. With time and treatment, though, most people improve and are able to enjoy positive relationships. Even when someone experiences ongoing relationship problems, therapy can help diminish them over time.

PTSD may cause permanent physiological changes in the brain. These individuals tend to have a lasting inability to

Accurately gauge the passage of time, so they are very frequently early or late for work/events/obligations, or they don’t show up at all

See the big picture to determine if a problem is big or small; to these individuals, every little problem seems like a crisis.

Some effects of PTSD do last years or a lifetime, but most do not. PTSD can last from several months to a year or more. How long PTSD will last for an individual depends on both the trauma and the person. Generally, time, treatment, and support help someone overcome PTSD.

Yoga Day

 

Mixed Messaging

     Where was I? Ah, yes, Angry. See, I don't actually know who reads this stuff.

    Anyways, I'm down to an irritable and slightly restless. somewhere around a 5. Maybe just like I don't need to sue half the east coast, I don't need to have everyone arrested. It just frustrates me when people engage in willful ignorance and unhealthy behavior. I had a really bad day when we had low air quality and my allergies kicked into high gear. But pain is inherently subjective.

    I need to save my words for when they are useful. The team has worked hard, and I have to respect that. So, I won't be able to be at family events. These events tend to make me upset and there's dysfunctional behavior going on. And it's not my business what people do on their personal time unless they make it my business. Like the tech at the wellness pavilion mouthing off. If someone's on the clock I don't need their 411. We all have work to do. I gotta focus on mine: reducing anger, working on real life skills. There is no anger reduction pill. They don't actually exist. 

    But I need to look beyond my everyday life and see that bigger picture. The bigger picture of how we all affect one another, what we contribute, and what doesn't work. 

    Fear can be so powerful. It draws lines between people. 

    When the medical board came back with their response, it was frustrating. They felt the situation was dangerous enough to say something to Prichards, but not dangerous enough to really do anything. Yet I didn't prescribe myself those pills. My only remaining frustrations with the meds are the threat of further dystonia, impaired executive functioning (This may be permanent), and that they don't arrest all of the mood swings.