Need a lil help?!
Question: Hi. I have been given an informal diagnosis (a friend of a friend is a psychologist) of PTSD. I am trying to get some help from a charity or something (I don't have much money) and I also wondered if anyone knows other ways of helping myself. I have very little confidence and I am scared of everything.
Answers: Hi. I have been given an informal diagnosis (a friend of a friend is a psychologist) of PTSD. I am trying to get some help from a charity or something (I don't have much money) and I also wondered if anyone knows other ways of helping myself. I have very little confidence and I am scared of everything.
I don't know where you live but there are many orgs. that deal with PTSD or you can look up a mental health clinic that has a sliding scale.
Try googling:Safe Horizons.
When you feel scared try to do some deep breathing: Inhale thru your nose. exhale thru your mouth. rest;each for a count of 3. Do for 5 min. at a time. Make sure when you exhale that your stomach deflates.
Do some physical activity.
Arrange a social network you can call on when you're feeling distressed.
Also arrange some alone space if people are being "too helpful" or think "you should be over it".
Take the things you are least afraid of & do more of them. Then start slowly & take something you're a little scared of...try doing. Maybe a friend can do with you.
Keep a journal.
Do things to distract yourself from your thinking...puzzles, movies, reading etc.
Don't isolate.
I think that's a start.
Good luck to you.
Your county mental health services should have programs or be able to refer you to programs within your means in your area. Btw, friend of a friend isn't a diagnosis. It's more like hearsay.
I have PTSD also, or at least, I'm recovering. My little brother is finally getting treatment too. Cognitive behavioural therapy (learning new ways to respond to stimuli) is helpful. Also, anti-anxiety medications like Xanax or Valium, or long-term ones like Lexapro and/or BuSpar may be helpful with the fear and confidence issues. Anti-psychotics have also been affective, such as Risperidone or Seroquel, since they have anti-anxiety and antidepressant effects and PTSD can often manifest with similar symptoms to psychotic disorders.
It also can help to talk about the root of your trauma. But it might be a while before you can do so, and the above might help to get you there faster.
unlikely as it may sound a good way to find help may be your local veterans affairs office.