Do i have some kind of mental disorder like ASD or PTSD?!
Question: I have witnessed two suicides and one attempt, two weeks ago a person five feet in front of me pulled a rifle and pulled the trigger, i had brains and fragments all over me. Now i cannot sleep without nightmares and stay awake just thinking about life's tribulations. I have seen my share of death in NO,LA after hurricane but for some reason this is troubling me beyond beliefe. WHAT SHOULD I DO.......
Answers: I have witnessed two suicides and one attempt, two weeks ago a person five feet in front of me pulled a rifle and pulled the trigger, i had brains and fragments all over me. Now i cannot sleep without nightmares and stay awake just thinking about life's tribulations. I have seen my share of death in NO,LA after hurricane but for some reason this is troubling me beyond beliefe. WHAT SHOULD I DO.......
Hi. Sorry to hear about that. Sounds very traumatic. I'm a therapist. Acute Stress Disorder lasts about 3 weeks. So, if you are not feeling better in a couple of weeks, then I would go see your family doctor. I would not be surprised if you have some PTSD. No way in the world to diagnose you online but here are some things to look for: Constantly reliving the memory in your head, nightmares, disorientation (sometimes not knowing where you are cuz you got lost in daydreaming), hypervigilence (means startles easily), depression, anxiety, irritibility, feeling of dread or fear at going to the place where it happened. These types of things (you already mentioned a couple).
You won't know if it's PTSD for some time because I believe you have to experience these symptoms for at least a month or so. For now...you can try doing some visualizations before you sleep. Picture yourself on a beach with a friend or something relaxing. Conscious self-talk often will help you when you go to sleep because your subconscious picks up everything. Try some melatonin - it's a vitamin that helps you sleep. If you wake in the middle of the night, just take one of them - they are in chewable form so you don't have to get up and get any water. TALK about this incident to SOMEONE. Journal, draw pictures, do something to get it out. MOST of all...on a daily basis, in the morning and at night, do a "check-in" with yourself. Start by asking yourself how you feel emotionally and physically. Then, check to see if you are having any erroneous thoughts (like, "if I would have been on some other street none of this would have happened" - if you can't prove it, it's erroneous). Also, remind yourself that you are an adult, you are safe and you have choices. The incident is over and you are ok. If you have faith, then pray for the family - that sometimes helps, too. Go see a counselor if you're not better in a week or so...ok?
That would cause me to have PTSD. I would probably hide in the corner and rock in the fetal position for the rest of my life!
You definately DESERVE help with this. You should get some mental help. Go to the mental health department and tell them to let you in!!
I think so. If you do, you should go see a psychiatrist.
Are you in the military or like a cop?
I know rather i have a pen pal who is in the army once in a while he will tell me some guy blew himself up in front of him, his friends were killed, he dosn't know where to turn etc. I would say you need to talk to your doctor so u can get referred to a psychiatrist. preferably one who specializes in ptsd.
I don't know if u have that but since it is affecting your sleep etc it is in your best interest to seek professional help. This is something that you can't treat on your own. You have witnessed and been part of awful things that your mind takes in and responds to it by night mares and being afraid, all kinds of things. Plz if u are scared to go to sleep , keep thinking about it etc PLZ PLZ PLZ to a doctor and tell them waht u seen and said here. Also maybe prayer would help to. But plz get some help and least just to vent what you have experienced!!!!!!!! Plz go!!!!!!
You need to see a doctor, no one could walk away unaffected from something like that.
I agree, in the corner, rocking in the fetal position. Seriously though, you should seek some help. Not because your crazy or anything, but you need to talk to someone who can help you clear your mind. That's not something you want to think about everyday for the rest of your life. You don't need to loose sleep over something like that. It had nothing to do with you, ya know?
wow, im sorry you've had to witness all this, it must be terrifying. you should be in some sort of councelling, you should go see a GP or health proffessional, you could easily have PTSD. do you have panic attacks? well i suggest talking to someone anyway coz you shouldnt have to face this alone!
take care
Hey I'm from New Orleans as well...I understand all the trauma that everyone has endured. Reading this absolutely broke my heart! It sounds like you just need to get it off your chest. You definately experienced more than any one person needs to see in their lifetime. My advice would be to talk to a counselor..Just like people get sick and need to go see a doctor you shouldn't feel ashamed or embarassed to seek professional help for your emotional distress. If you are in school(college) they offer counseling for free. If not I would definately look into one. It might help you sleep a little better at night..Good luck to you.
This is definitely PTSS and you should go see a therapist and psychiatrist