posted August 21, 2006 02:50 PM            

Does anybody have any advice about dealing with the messed up brain chemistry that PTSD brings?

Due to a very verbally abusive marriage ending in his suicide, I was diagnosed with PTSD a few years back. I have done counseling, meds, etc, but find greatest relief in spiritual teachings. However, life does have it's ups and downs and today I am on a downward spiral once again, batteling depression. I am slowly crawling out of the abyss, but I am about sick and tired of being on the down side for so long. I, for the most part do OK and am happy and at peace with myself, but for some reason being the sole parent of two teenagers (18 and 14) is taking it's tole on me as of late!

Maybe it is the heat of August in So. Texas, maybe it is the drought we are in, lethargy prevails my senses!

posted August 21, 2006 04:00 PM            

I've been using both flower essences and relaxation/guided imagery CDs by Brian Weiss. Thanks to a lack of sleep during the first half of last week, and constantly interrupted sleep since then, I haven't had the energy to exercise, which is another way I control those feelings. I've been using two essences called Pear and Tomato, from Masters Flower Essences, in an effort to get rid of the anxious/depressing feelings and just get on with things (Tomato is for strength/courage). I, too, am tired of all this hitting me when I'm doing so much better, only to end up feeling like I'm never going to be free of it.

I've never been diagnosed with PTSD, but someone (I think she was a nurse) brought it up to my mother last year, when she was talking about the anxiety and depressive episodes I've dealt with since I was a kid. I've been agoraphobic in the past, and still deal with a certain amount of social anxiety (though in that regard this board has been *so* helpful; I can't believe I've built up almost 1000 posts in the last four years).

Have you ever tried a flower essence? There are posts from Juniperb and salome (I think? under a different name?) in the Health & Healing forum. My favourite site on the subject is http://www.flowersociety.org .

posted August 21, 2006 04:45 PM              

And yes...the heat and humidity can indeed affect the episodes.

posted August 21, 2006 05:00 PM            

Thank you for the essence recommendation. I will try it, most definately! I am a very "sensual" person (Moon in Taurus), and love fragrences!

Fayte

Yes it is the same. As a RN I understand the biochemical changes that takes place in the brain from a constant influx of stress hormones. Everything gets out of wack, so to speak and the stress hormones do not work properly any longer (and from the research I have done, never will.) I will research if there is any info out there on heat/humidity and PTSD. I am much happier when it is cooler (I am probably a bit hormonal too.)

Thank you both for your replies

Terri

posted August 22, 2006 03:19 PM            

Hello all, continuing to climb out of the abyss--making great progress today. I know I am making progress in the right direction when syncronicities like the above link happen to me.

Hope you are all well,

posted August 24, 2006 06:29 PM              

The first thing you need is patience - you need healing, and healing will take as long as it needs. So don't push yourself to be "better" on a time-table, cos it's likely not to happen. Think of this as a journey, and there's a lot of unexpected blessings up ahead that'll likely ruin any plans. Just be open and willing, and take one day at a time.

Another thing that would be helpful is to get a therapist or a counselor - someone trained and objective to help you work through the healing process. Thsi is going to be work, and it can get very painful and personal. So getting someone who can be objective and confidential is important. You'll need to be feel secure with your therapist, so find one you can trust and be comfortable with. I know a lot of people want to rely on their loved ones, thinking therapists can't be trusted. However, trust often an issue for people with PTSD, so you can't let that hold you back from getting the help you need.

As for other things you can do, flower essence are good, and do help (I've used them too). But they can only be part of a larger process. One thing you can do to help you "re-balance" is to spend time with nature or animals. Abuse "teaches" our psyche and our bodies to disconnect from world, often in ways we are initially unaware of. That disconnecting causes a lot imbalance and toxicity. So surrounding yourself with nature is a very good way to begin reconnecting. Gardening, having a pet, going for walks in natural surrounding, etc. Even things that give us a deep, sensual experience of nature, like spending time each day touching plants or a pet, or even emmersion or swimming in water can help. When you do these things, teach yourself to be is an open state of mind and soul so these activities can better contribute to your healing.

Anyhow, that's enough from me. Take care for yourself.

posted August 27, 2006 05:21 PM            

Thanks for the reply. Have been through counselors, no luck, just deal with it on my own. It is the physiological aspect of the altered brain chemistry that gives me the most problems!

I will try the flower essence when I have another "flare up."

Peace and love

posted August 28, 2006 11:40 AM            

It is so difficult because you do not want to hurt her. You are obviously more sensitive to the needs of others than she.

I have been in a similar situation before. Time heals all, just avoid her until you can summon the personal stength to tell her you need some time out from your interactions with her (that is if time and space do not send a message to her! )

posted August 29, 2006 06:52 PM            

I have had to rid myself of toxic people in my life a time or two, not that they were bad people, just toxic to me, today was no excpetion!

There is quite liberation in freeing yourself from those whose energies are bringing us down!

Someone here on this forum (Forgive me, the knowflake escapes me) relayed very wise words

"In letting you go I am loving myself"

so true, so true

peace, love and light

posted August 29, 2006 09:47 PM              

I wish someone would lock her away before she hurts more people.

posted August 30, 2006 10:57 AM            

Have read of your "mom" before and I feel for ya! I can imagine that it is impossible to try to deal with her on an intellectual/rational level because due to her mental disease she has neither the intellectuall or rational insight or cognative abilities to "see" what she is doing.

I have experienced this with my ex (crazy Cancer that I was bound and determined to work out karma with.) And I have experienced this with myself as well when I have a PTSD flareup. The brain/mind/ looses the ability to think rationally and it is impossible to deal with such an individual. Time usually heals me when my brain chemistry gets back to normal after receiving an influx of stress hormones, but other people who are acting wiggy, I have learned to get out of their energy space fast and stay out. I do not want those "low, dark" energies to find even the tinyest crack in my energy field and slip through!!!

Seriously, it is just better to stay away from them and let them work out their own lives and karma as the universe sees fit!

Good luck with your mom,

Sending peace, love and light!

posted August 30, 2006 11:38 AM              

She sounds like a mad woman!!!

Why dont you report her for harrassing you......or change your phone number and cut her out of yer life. Then only give your new number to those you trust....

At least if she doesnt have your phone number OR your address she cannot bother you...

Good luck...