Personal Success Story on How I am Controlling my (C)PTSD Symptoms

Hello my Steemians,
Today I would like to share with you how I personally, am controlling my (C)PTSD symptoms. First off, I think we all know what PTSD is. However, not all people actually understand the difference between PTSD and (C)PTSD is. The (C) = complex.

PTSD = generally caused by a singular (one time) traumatic event - like a natural disaster, or being mugged. Considered by some people to be "easier" to "get over."
Important I do not think either type of PTSD is easy or even possible to "get over"

(C) PTSD = generally caused by a series of related and/or unrelated events. Generally (But not always) has roots into childhood.

Now that we have made that distinction, it's time for me to open up to you, my esteemed readers, in a way I have opened to only few. I have complex post traumatic stress disorder. I am 29, almost 30, and was diagnosed at age 24, but knew I had it as early as 17-18 years old.

Mine is from multiple, unrelated issues. Had any one of those issues "decided" not to occur, I could be a completely different person. I am not going to dwell on that though because guess what? I was not in control of any of it.

Shitty things can happen to anyone. I am not the "champion" sufferer here. The only thing I can control is MYSELF, MY behaviour, MY treatment, MY recovery.

Being real, my issues stem from:

• Multiple deaths of people very close to me who lost their lives for no good reasons. First one happened 12/21/2003. Best friend and dad gone in a car accident. Dad died on the scene. Best friend, 6 hours later after being medically evaced.
• domestic violence exposure
• childhood abuse
• sexual assault survivor (notice I used survivor, not victim)

I have used drugs (to include "hard drugs"/street drugs), alcohol, & other adverse ways to cope with my problems. I have entertained suicide (AKA, I have experienced suicidal ideations.) No attempts, just thoughts & I am not currently having them.

I've exhausted all methods of coping. There is not one sure fire way of dealing with (c) ptsd. Ot is a super fine balance that I certainly haven't yet acheived of:

• really knowing your triggers
• understand flashbacks (sometimes you don't know you are experiencing one.) To an outsider seeing someone in an active flashback, the following may be assumed: "oh, that person is a lunatic", "they're on something", "they're weird", "they're just being rude".....ETC!
• exercise - running helps me a lot, although I also enjoy other forms of exercise such as yoga.
• keeping to a routine
• art
  -nature & fresh air
• eliminating toxic guilt
• good nutrition - very challenging
• My cat ♡♡
  

That is by no means an all inclusive list. I've had limited success with counseling, and am currently trying that again. I am OFF anti-depressants. I was on those for years all they did was cause me to self limit and become numb. I am still on pharmaceutical grade sleeping & anxiety meds prescribed to me. But that is better than also being on the anti-depressants in my humble opinion.

I also in the past two months, with great skepticism initially I might add, tried nutraceuticals hemp paste. Why? Because a respected Steemian and now friend of mine ( @web-gnar ) introduced me to it.

This product is unlike others as it is based off the synergistic or entourage effect - uses the entire hemp plant to acheive it's medicinal effect. It is also helpful for:

Pain Relief
Inflammation
Anxiety
Antidepressant
Reduction in blood sugar levels
Seizures and convulsions
Immune system support
Nausea and vomiting
Inhibits cancer cell growth
Reduces risk of artery blockage
Slows bacteria growth
Muscle spasms
Cardiovascular health
Skin conditions such as psoriasis and acne
PTSD symptom relief
Bone growth
Antibacterial and antioxidant

QUESTION OF THE HOUR: HOW HAS IT HELPED WITH YOUR PTSD CHELSEA??

It has helped me to better recognize symptoms of reliving trauma, flashbacks, focusing, & moving forward. Those are all huge. I lost a close friend to sucide related to her being unable to cope with her own (c) ptsd. So if I can help anyone, I do. Check out the products for yourself:
http://mynutraceuticals.com/chelsea88

If you have any questions for me, maybe I can help. I have basically been dealing with my symptoms since childhood, more fully manifesting around age 14 or 15. Or if you want to share anything here, go ahead. I love interacting with you all.

Live fully & happy my Steemians.

Photo = My own
images = Google image