jessie21

Can someone please tell me exactly what ptsd is. I have been diagnosed with this, and I do not understand.
Jessica

indigo

Hi Jessie,
PTSD is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and you will be able to find lots of good advice on the PTSD forum meanwhile I would go back to my doc and get as much info and ask about counselling from her/him there are lots of was of dealing with this conditon. Keep posting lots of good people on this site.

WELCOME indigo

Don W

Hi Jessie, Indigo is correct. A doctor or reading about it will help. However, as a lay person with PTSD, I offer this. Our mind can protect itself from an event either by blocking it out, or changing the perception of the event. Although for years many related to war experences, they have found other trumatic events can also cause it.
Years ago it was called things like "shell shocked." They have found that even surgery can cause it. When your body is injured, it can't tell the difference between say a doctors scapal or an attackers knife. I myself was sexually and physically abused as a child. In this case, my mind blocked much of it out. Also, I was in Vietnam. The key like Indigo said it is complicated and needs to be treated. Many like myself have self medicated with alcohol/drugs. Both need to be treated. Welcome to SR and I hope the hear more from you. Don W

Morning Glory

Welcome Jessie,

Here are a couple of links you can browse through.

http://www.ncptsd.va.gov/

http://www.trauma-pages.com/pg4.htm

http://www.trauma-pages.com/index.htm