Ptsd

[hawke86]

I have been having a lot of panic attacks lately. I had one today when I was volunteering at the VA Hospital. A veteran saw me when it happened and asked if I was OK. Last night I had a lot of nightmares. When the veteran saw me I was in a cold sweat. There's seeral times a year this happens me. 4/19 is one of the days it happens to me. I don't know if these panic attacks will ever quit happening to me. Sometimes I don't know what to do when this happens to me. I wish these panic attacks/flash backs will quit happening.

[jimijimenez]

Sorry to hear that, I have the dread /fear /sweat panic thing also. It feels like I am dying or am in a war. Last week I had eight seizures in a day and was terrified for 24 hrs after, although I know these are fits, it can really shake you up for sometime afterwards hey? I try to remember that that it generally passes in a few days... it doesn't always help or seem possible.. but do I get less scared... and eventually return to normal.
things will get better,
warm hugs.

[hawke86]

Things never get better for me.

[hawke86]

When will things get better?

[RobinN]

Only you have control over that answer, Hawke.

[hawke86]

I have been trying to find the answer. So far I haven't found it.

[RobinN]

Staying happy is a requirement to a better life. Find ways to do so.

[hawke86]

I'll try to. Robin

[RobinN]

Consider a Gratitude Journal. Every day list 5 things that you are grateful for.

[hawke86]

Good idea.

[RobinN]

The connection between insulin resistance and PTSD can be explained because the body has problems responding properly to insulin. Insulin functions to transport glucose - as well as amino acids, and fatty acids - into cells for conversion to biological energy called ATP. The brain is entirely dependent on glucose as its only source of energy. Without proper energy levels the brain cannot manufacture the feel good neurotransmitters such as serotonin.

With resistance to insulin, blood sugar levels rise and the pancreas will respond by secreting more insulin into the blood stream, called hyperinsulinism. Increased insulin concentrations will trigger a sudden crash in blood sugar levels - a hypoglycemic dip. This is a signal to the brain (hypothalamus) that it is threatened with brain starvation. It responds by sending a hormonal message to the adrenal glands to dramatically increase adrenaline production. Adrenaline - a major stress hormone - functions to rapidly increase blood sugar levels by converting stored sugar, glycogen, back into glucose. The reaction happens in the twinkling of an eye.

The internal massive production of adrenaline - and perhaps cortisol to a lesser extent - prepares the body to face a crisis situation, except that in this case, there is no external cue to spark the biochemical reaction. Energy is diverted from digestive organs to the heart, muscles and brain, and these form the unexplainable symptoms of people suffering from hypoglycemia, anxiety attacks, phobias, depression, addictions, as well as PTSD. The Sympathetic Nervous System is now in overdrive! With such an mysterious assault of adrenaline on the autonomic nervous system, it is no wonder that the trauma is perceived to be directly responsible for the anxiety attack.
Armed with this new knowledge, therapists should realize that the psychological link between an internally driven emotion and past traumatic memory helps a victim to manage his illness psychologically. He may have resorted to alcohol or drugs, or other kinds of behaviour for self-medication. If a therapist were to attempt to break the connection between ‘emotion’; and ‘past experience’ through psychotherapy or any other kind of talk therapy, the therapist would fall into the trap of confusing causes and consequences. It certainly will increase his/her client’s suffering. In other words a therapist may unwittingly “enable” a client to believe that the “cause” of the emotional disorder is the “trauma”, whereas in fact attention should be brought to the underlying metabolic disorder operating in the here-and-now and that is generating the symptoms of PTSD.

The hypoglycemic diet is a powerful tool for dealing with PTSD what is after all a nutritional disorder. It is only when we gain some control over the biochemistry of the client, that we can deal with the damage done to personality with psychotherapy.

http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/artic...l#Hypoglycemia

...most people with high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes also struggle with elevated insulin levels that respond quite well to grain restriction.

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/ar...art-three.aspx

[hawke86]

I still have severe problems with PTSD. Some days are WORSE then others. I don't know if any of you know wat it's like to have this. It sure makes a person tired.

[No Shame]

Hawke,

Do you know the root of your PTSD? If there's a pattern especially with the dates, it might be significant for you to explore with a therapist some coping strategies with your conscious mind so that your subconscious mind can release it. I always get really sad in April too because my best friend--a few years removed (we lost touch) took her own life this month, 8 years ago. And insomnia is pretty constant in my sleep cycle. But PSTD usually is more deeply rooted than just a loss... but from a very wise book, "The Journey from Abandoment to Healing," i have found it can be very detrimental to your health and i guess sanity! You don't have to talk about your experiences here, because they are often too much to put into words. But feel free. Kay!

[ceiliclare]

hi hawke,

i have complex ptsd from growing up in a war zone as well as epilepsy. i don't know which is worse-but i have learned that i can't address one and not the other. Paranoia, aurors/flashbacks, amnesia, panic attacks, rage, depression and agoraphobia had become part of my identity. I want to change-that's why i'm here. I have hope. You might want to take a look at the ptsdforum web site. I 've found that being involved with both sites is most helpful, since the main issues are different but the symptoms often relate.

wishing the best on your road to recovery,

ceiliclare

[hawke86]

I didn't know there was a ptsd forum.

[majormana]

hawke i truly understand i dont know how comforting that is but i've read a few of your post and i really know where your comeing from ptsd,going blind and E. Its all tough and I'm right dealin with all the same things to so your not alone and I know by end of day your just tears and when ya finally cryed self to sleep our jolted awake by night mare I dont have as many nightmares as uss to but still havem from time to time the flashbacks our bad for me. many gentle hugs to you and there our many with ptsd just alot dont admit it'

[tlemaybe]

I've had many panic attacks. The one thing that has always helped me was...

MATH!

Start doing math in your head immediately and just focus on math problems.
I always do this:
2+2=4
4+4=8
8+8=16
16+16=32
etc..., or make your own math problem set.
go as high as you possibly can, as fast as possible, and keep doing it until the attack is over.
it at least shortens the attack.

why this works: Math is the only permanent thing in the known universe. It always has the same outcome. It is very calming to practice math.
good luck!

[RobinN]

Very interesting suggesting tiemaybe. No one has ever suggested that idea here at CWE that I know of. I do hope it can help someone.

[darcness]

Hey hawke, I know this post is a little older, but I wanted to let you know that I sent you a PM of an amzing forum I'm a part of for mental illness.

I've been a member on there since my wife was diagnosed with epilepsy. I had a major panic attack and then daily anxiety after I saw her have a tonic-clonic seizure. Since then I've been doing much better, with much help from the forum I PMed you about. Come join and check it out.