Oh gosh, a bit intimidating doing this but here we go...
I'm Anna. I was finally accurately diagnosed with CPTSD in 2021 after over a decade of symptoms being misdiagnosed as generalised anxiety/depression/OCD/BPD and pretty much any other label that could be thrown at me!
I'm very fortunate to have found a wonderful therapist who specialises in trauma and have been working with her on and off for around 5 years, even before my formal diagnosis.
I would say that I'm generally doing well with recovery. But, as many of you will understand, CPTSD doesn't go away and the reality of this condition being a part of my life has been weighing heavily on me recently.
One thing that has been particularly difficult is finding meaningful support from people other than my therapist. I have a very supportive partner and small circle of friends, but they truly do not understand what it's like to live with CPTSD.
So here I am, hoping to connect with people who know what life is like through the trauma lens. Hopefully I can gain something from this forum and hopefully I can give something back.
Welcome. I have found it a great relief to meet a group of people who really get it. Being able to interact with others here has really helped my therapy because it has sparked thoughts and realisations I may never have had on my own.
AnnaMaria,
Welcome to the forum. I'm sorry that you have lifelong struggles with trauma and C-PTSD, but very glad that you found a good trauma therapist, and that you have found this forum. It's the safest forum I've ever been a part of. There's a lot of support and kindness and comradery here. We are the birds of a feather who feel better when connected with others who understand us.
Welcome and I hope you find at least as much support and empathy here as I've found. Being with people who understand me is healing in and of itself. I hope you find it to be that way as well.
Hi anna, welcome ;)
Hi and a warm welcome to OOTS AnnaMaria :heythere: Glad you found your way to OOTS and I think you will find other survivors do understand and that is such a good feeling. No need to explain as you do with non-survivors, we just get it.
It's quite common to have been misdiagnosed unfortunately, but I think that is changing as we and the professionals we deal with learn more about Complex PTSD. It's awesome that you found T who specializes in trauma, they are still few and far between but that is changing thankfully.
Kizzie
Welcome to OOTS AnnaMaria.
OOTS for me is like family I never had. There's always people who understand, at least one who will share the strangest of symptoms that you'd think only you have, always someone offering warm hugs, people who offer kind and wise ideas and suggestions, I love it here. If I could, I would spend my whole day just scrolling through these pages.
:grouphug:
Welcome to the forum, AnnaMaria! :wave:
Welcome! May this forum encourage and support you in your healing journey!
Welcome to the community, AnnaMaria. I too was misdiagnosed (with bipolar) by professionals. Only later seeing a trauma therapist did I get the C-PTSD diagnosis. As you said, coming to terms that this is a lifelong illness that we can only manage and ever attempt to heal from as therapies and science progress is a big deal. I don't think I'm yet there, though I hope one day I'll befriend my 2Bs (brain, body) and mind with the help of (another try of) therapy. Here's to our healing. :chestbump:
Thanks to everyone for the warm welcome. I wasn't really expecting such a positive response and it has helped me feel a small sense of belonging in what is a very difficult time of year for me.
Hi AnnaMaria,
For some reason I can't access your post about your cat when I'm logged on. Since new mbrs seem to not always find their PMs, I want to write my condolences to you here.
Pets are often such huge supports to us. I'm so sorry your cat passed away. :grouphug: