Just Woke Up

[Bagheera]

Reddit led me here through a post in /r/LifeAfterNarcissism ... Just joined this forum on this wonderful site - I've had enough setbacks for one life & I'm ready to overcome what's happened to me. While more than one therapist has told me I struggle with C-PTSD, only one (who's long gone) offered any significant help. I did OK, but never really had the tools or support to thrive.

I think I would have continued that way, but then these last few years re-traumatized me thoroughly - wave after wave of personal catastrophe as I spiraled down into someone without hope or a future. I believed my parents must have been right all along. I was back where I started and worse.

I was overwhelmed, defeated and gave up. Then a series of doctor appointments for asthma found me in front of a Pulmonary specialist who screened for sleep apnea - and whose face lit up when I answered 4 routine narcolepsy questions with, "Uh, yeah, I do that - doesn't everybody do that?" I was shocked to be diagnosed w/narcolepsy. One Sleep Study later and my new medications Woke. Me. Up. The physical healing gave me strength and stamina to make radical changes. I've removed several bullies from my life and learned how to enforce boundaries. I'm a different person. I'm actively searching for a new counselor as I still struggle from a pervasive lack of support and deep down I know I still need (and deserve) help. So here I am.

[Three Roses]

Welcome, Bagheera! We're glad you're here.

[sanmagic7]

so glad you're not only awake, but alive, moving forward.  happy you found us, happy you're here.  i've been a therapist for 26 yrs., have been in therapy longer than that, no one has ever diagnosed me as traumatized, or treated me as such.  i only just realized it last year.  and, yep, there have been times i've been in that hole, but something kept getting me up out of it, and i'm so glad.  knowing about c-ptsd has put so many pieces of my life's puzzle into place.  and, now you're out, too.  we're finally moving forward.  yay!!!

[Dutch Uncle]

Hi Bagheera  and welcome. 
Or should I say: "Good Morning!" ?

Great that the medication has helped you in this process.
I hope and wish this site and community will be of aid in your recovery process and that you'll find support to get to thriving.

[Kizzie]

Welcome Bagheera     Unfortunately T's have been somewhat slow to understand that CPTSD is significantly different than PTSD, but more are receiving specific training these days so hopefully you will find one that can really help you to recover.