Messages

I am so sorry . It is Roy Alfred NOT Roy Arnold. Senior moment?

Hi Desert Flower
I am a bit like Roy Arnold. I was diagnosed at 50 and everything changed for me.
I was abused by my parents and gaslit by my psychopathic ex-wife, so I saw the weirdness as the price I paid for keeping my sanity.
When I was 50 I was assaulted twice at work and all my coping mechanisms simply did not work anymore. When I was diagnosed with CPTSD and general anxiety disorder all the weirdness I had lived with suddenly made sense.
The last 5 years has been a huge struggle, with as many setbacks as successes
It is an ongoing struggle but we really don't have any choice, life is happening around us and we can only do our best.
You sound much more positive than I do and I applaud you for having the courage to address your fears. I would say keep going, you're doing really well. In fact you have helped me to keep trying to be positive and to just be me.
Thank you.

Hi Blueberry and AphoticAtramentous
I am familiar with Pete Walker's books and have read them several times.
As he says in "From surviving to thriving" CPTSD and it's recovery is , above all, complex.
I am well aware of the symptoms and getting lost in what it all means. I have a background in nursing, so I am aware of the psychological necessity of diagnoses.
I am also aware of feeling that you are on the wrong path due to misdiagnosis.
As I said I am not trying to belittle suffering or to say I am right about what I say. I am simply offering the opinion that whilst some see the necessity of multiple diagnoses, others feel the need to simply deal with what is in front of them  regardless of what it is called. Surely I am not the only one to think this?
I also agree with both of you that there are definitely days when a positive attitude simply does not work but should that really stop us from trying?
I read a book called "Constructive Wallowing" which I found very helpful. It suggests we simply accept the emotions we are feeling and acknowledge them. The aim is to not let feelings fester but to experience them and move on.
Life is difficult enough as it is, more so for those of us with CPTSD and it's associated issues. All I am saying is why make it more difficult than it needs to be.
By the way I truly accept and respect your views and opinions. We are all in this together.
Best wishes.

Thanks Kizzie
I find myself in need today and I found this.
Either you are psychic or my luck just got better.

Thank you holidayay.
Very useful. Something to think about.

Hi Bert.
Again not an admin, just a human blob.
I have spent a while now looking for CPTSD support groups with little success I'm afraid.
I also think it would be very beneficial for a lot of people and have always been surprised there is nothing readily available already.
If you find something I would be interested in getting involved. If I find something I will post details on this forum for you.
Good luck and stay strong.

Thank you for a different perspective.
You are right. a diagnosis can explain an awful lot that does not make sense without a diagnosis.
It also gives some hope that they are on the right path, which is crucial to their well being.
I just worry sometimes that it is not difficult to become obsessed with creating pigeon holes rather than looking for positive coping mechanisms.
I truly sympathise with anyone who suffers any mental health condition because of the actions of others. Both my parents and my ex-wife caused me so much pain and misery it is hard to put into words. I am not trying to belittle suffering. I am trying to be more positive and say let's look to a positive tomorrow rather than get stuck in today!   

I chose my name because Fozzie is a muppet and the muppets remind me to say yes to silly stuff. It is a gentle reminder to lighten up when I can.
I am 55 years old, so Fozzie55 felt right.
Animal is my favorite muppet but Fozzie felt softer and happier!

Hello everyone.
I am a 55 year old man who was diagnosed with complex PTSD 5 years ago.
I was a staff nurse in theatre recovery and I was assaulted by a patient and beaten severely enough to have concussion for 10 weeks. Worse my nursing colleagues ran away and left me to it.
Six months later it happened again and everything spun out of control.
During CBT I admitted that I had been physically, psychologically and emotionally abused by my parents. This led to me meeting and marrying a girl I later found out was psychopathic. She gaslit me for 8 years and the violence and terror increased.
I now am unable to nurse any more, a career I held together for 35 years and my whole life has changed.
It took me a long time to find any support but now that I have I hope it leads to something positive.
I have no contact with my family and I have no friends. I have the support of a wonderfully understanding partner. I am determined to beat this and find some peace. So, hello.
 

I am new to this forum and I have read this debate with interest.
I firmly believe that everyone has a valid opinion and I sympathise with people who are confused or worse by not knowing what their diagnosis is. Been there, done that.
The conclusion I came to is simply that it doesn't matter what my diagnosis is. I spent too long trying to find a name for it and not enough time dealing with it! These days I simply treat the symptoms as they arise, follow a positive lifestyle and hope for the best. What other people label it does not concern me.
This is not meant to be dismissive of the pain anyone is going through, rather it is a suggestion that we all have enough to deal with without making it more difficult by needing to put a label on it.
Apologies if this upsets anyone. Just trying to help.

I love music so this should be fun!
1. I won't back down-Tom Petty. Does what it says on the tin.
2. Metallingus- Alter Bridge. A song that makes the hairs on the back of my neck standup.
3. Hysteria- Def Leppard. The best song I have ever heard, probably!
4. Nothing else matters- Metallica. A statement of intent and a fantastic song.
5. A Little lost sometimes- The Almighty. A beautiful song that always makes me stop and think.
Tomorrow my 5 favourite songs that make me smile will change. Isn't that the power of music? Think of the fun deciding your next 5 songs!