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The trauma took away my control and left me questioning my own ability to make my own decisions. It was always easier to blame my therapist for lack of progress in treatment. Learning to live with the illness is the first step towards recovery. Understanding the links between the symptoms and behavior. The trigger mechanism in PTSD involves the traumatic event, the senses that were activated during the event, and what was photographed into the memory. Things that are activated by our senses today are triggers drawn from our memory in the form of flashbacks, nightmares, and the need to repeatedly relive the traumatic event. Getting involved with other victims was the next step in recovery for me. A peer support group is beneficial as long as the focus stays on the symptoms and not the incident itself. Being in the company of others who have been victimized and/or traumatized breaks down the lonliness and the desire to isolate. Empathy binds them together and rekindles the need to communicate. Developing your own support system is vital to living with PTSD. The secondary wounding is usually a sign that a support system failed. Today's society places a stigma on being a victim. It only adds to the progression of the this disabling illness. Starting a structured peer support group is not a difficult task. I have my own support system in place that involves many trauma victims. I hope that if others follow my lead, that they too will improve their quality of life... especially at home and maybe at work. |