Things i would like to see on this site

Tokens for free holidays to the Bahamas.
A get out of PTSD free card
Maybe a description of some of the treatments available written by a healthcare professional to give people an idea of what is available, we are treated on the whole by very professional careing people but there are some who seem to struggle getting seen by appropriately trained medics and maybe a little "could i try such and such treatment" might not go amiss.
Also i have read lots of mail saying people have been offered a type of treatment and they are aprehensive at best and downright scared at worst, mostly because of the unknown.
Lastly well done on setting up this site, at least we can all see we are not alone in this.
Thank You

Hi Indeeper,

Thanks for the post and suggestions.

We would certainly like a few tokens to go to the Bahamas if anyone is offering!! A get out of PTSD would be very, very welcome too!

We have found that getting healthcare 'professionals' involved is near impossible. One of the main hurdles we constantly come up against is finding 'professionals' who know what they are talking about. IF PTSD is properly diagnosed in the first place, most 'professionals' resort to the NICE guidelines (UK) - which (if anyone has read them) do not address the complexity of PTSD or provide any real informed guidance. Most of the guidance seems to focus on immediate interventions rather than the long-term effects of PTSD. Again, most 'treatment' (in the UK) seems to focus on reducing the effects of some of the symptoms (such as prescribing anti-depressants) or short-term trauma focused CBT.

Many healthcare 'professionals' are ill-informed or have no real in-depth knowledge of PTSD - they tend to be generalists in the field of mental health.

We also have the situation of the cash-strapped NHS. Quite simply, mental health services are just about managing to maintain a basic level of functioning - which has the knock-on effect of therapies which could be useful to those living with PTSD being unavailable or very difficult to get though the NHS.

A good place to look for information from a more medical perspective is the 'National Center For PTSD' (link is available through 'other links' on our main site) based in the USA. They could be considered to be at the forefront of PTSD and are certainly far more advanced than the UK.

As for trying different treatments - each person is unique and apart from the common diagnostic criteria for PTSD each persons experience of the condition can be be very different.

I don't know about anyone else, but I have always felt the therapies I have received have been more of a 'damage limitation' exercise and far too short (I have lived with Complex PTSD for about 12 years). There does not seem to be anything which can provide real support in the longer term. I also work in mental healthcare and I am continually amazed at the tunnel-vision and general lack of knowledge concerning PTSD (or any other 'condition' which does not fit in to one of the 'main categories').

That is the main reason I set-up the site in the first place. To be a place where people could share real experiences and (hopefully) where we can all learn that we are not alone and perhaps find things that work for us.

If there are any mental health 'professionals' who would like to respond, their views would be most interesting to read.

Lastly, if this site helps even a little, then it has been worth setting up. I know we have a lot of visitors - many who may find it difficult to contribute and who are looking for answers. The more we contribute to each other then perhaps the more people will come to understand how we have to try and cope.

I noticed that you have contributed quite a lot on the forum - which is a very much appreciated by us, other posters and visitors. It is good to such an active forum member.

I think that was what the topic of conversation was.With all the talk of the Bahamas,i had drifted back there.Out of the hotel,and straight on to the beach.Brilliant sunshine in the morning,and thunderstorm for a short while,and back to the sunshine again.There was no better place to be.I can remember my favourite photo,was having a photo inside this waterfall.It was awsome.The tune of the holiday was What a wonderful world.I hated it,by the time the break had finished,i loved it.I know its about perfection,and well never have it,and when youve got a condition like this perfection is a long way away.I can only live in hope that things will change for myself and others like me.
I think the idea of help that you should be able to get,is a good idea.
I think the idea of knowing about stuff like cbt? and pyschotherapy is a good idea too.Cbt,i was too anxious for,and psychotherapy,i think made me worse.I am such an Angry person,i dont mind admitting it.If people want me to stay at work,then they should support me.I am now down to half an hour once a month,and 20 mins with the anxiety clinic,every three months.I dont call that support. Im getting more help at Maxillofacial for my Lichen Planus,than i do for my mental health.I was one of those who went manic on their Venlafaxine.The joys of antidepressants.
Another idea is,if the dr at the drs surgery suggests you have counselling at the surgery,for a traumatic experience.It would be nice if the wait was for less than 18 weeks.By the time the 18 weeks is up,im hoping and praying that the situation will have died a death.Pity the person at the source of the trauma couldnt do that too.Told you i was angry !
Cant think of anymore,probably will later when im in bed.Time to pop those pills,and see what time i first wake up.Usually bout 2.00 for the loo,due to the lithium,then maybe 4.00,and probably 6.00,if ive not gotten up by then.
Sweet dreams ! I know im nutty,but who cares ! Im still alive,just .