Who Says You Can't Recover From PTSD?
PTSD IS NOT A LIFE SENTENCE
OK, what I’m about to write is going to be offensive to some of you. Make no mistake about it; that’s not my aim. However, I expect some people will have a negative reaction to this post. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED…..
If I had a nickel for every time somebody I was treating said this to me, I’d be filthy rich. The conversation goes something like this:
Me: So what brings you in for treatment?
Client: Well, I have been having a problem with anger and irritability. I’m also anxious. I’m just here to learn how to cope with my PTSD. I know my PTSD will never go away, but I need to learn…
Me: Your PTSD will never go away?
Client: Yeah, once you have PTSD, you’ll have it for life.
Me: Do you mind if I ask who told you that?
Client: Oh no, not at all. My [insert physician, relative, friend, tv personality, financial planner, brain] told me.
Me: Ok, Thanks. I see.
Now I don’t intend to make like of a serious mental health diagnosis like PTSD. I do want to dispel MYTH that you cannot recover from PTSD. Let me say it again louder for the people in the back…
YOU CAN RECOVER FROM PTSD.
PTSD is a type of anxiety disorder. The symptoms can be debilitating. From the negative thoughts/memories you can’t see to forget that pop up at the wrong time to the nightmares to the constant sense that you need to be on guard for danger. PTSD takes a great emotional toll on a person’s life. However, none of this means that PTSD is a life sentence.
Now I know some of you may be reading his thinking “Well, what does she know?” Fair enough, nut I do know this. Anxiety disorder respond to exposure-based treatments very well. In laymen’s terms, with the right type of treatment, you can experience recovery from PTSD. That’s right, R-E-C-O-V-E-R-Y.
What’s that you say? You’ve been living with the symptoms of PTSD for years? Hmm, come again. You say you’ve already tried therapy. Well, I’m here to tell you that exposure therapy might be what you’ve been missing. You need a therapy that helps you to either confront your biggest fears or to help you talk about the trauma you experienced in a deeper way or both.
Listen, recovery from PTSD is hard work, but living with the symptoms for years is harder.
If you believe you have PTSD, please get professional help. I know people recover because I treat them. They get better. Don't let other people convince you of something that's not true. You may be living with those pesky symptoms unnecessarily.
I said what I said, let me know what you think.