Rainy day and ptsd

[ironhorse]

Well another rainy day here in Maryland. PTSD is ramped up, Rain for me equals Wet! Not too much fun.

[batman381327]

Sorry to hear Ironhorse. Hope you feel better soon. My triggers are loud noises or heavily crowded places where it is not easy to found a way out.

[ironhorse]

Thank you batman. I was misleading, rain only triggers the incontinence, my triggers for ptsd are the same as yours and plus quite a few other triggers. I am starting to spiral way out of control with it again. I spent close to two years in the hospital for it already and am affraid I am heading in that direction again.

[Wetters]

ironhorse, I'm sorry that your PTSD is ramping up. I wouldn't be surprised if rainy weather adversely affects your mood as well as your incontinence. What can you do to develop/implement coping strategies to ward off or lessen a PTSD episode? Do you have a mental health counselor whom you can call and chat with when you need to talk? I'm thinking that someone who knows your history and who is medically-oriented and can address your incontinence issue as well as PTSD would be a good fit. As you already know, we're here for you and want to do all we can to keep you from needing another hospitalization.

batman, is it you who has the friend who runs the Veteran support website? Maybe whoever it was can post the link again here. Thanks.

W.

[batman381327]

I guess that is what I get for assuming. hopefully, you have some coping skills to help you out. I know from experience it is easier said than done. I get into moods where my wife will ask what is wrong and I wished I had an answer for her, but I don't and I just have to ride it out. Everyone's experience is different and how they handle the situation is completely different. I hope you have someone you can talk to or you are seeing someone that is helping you.

Wetters. here is the link to the discussion concerning the Facebook group. viewtopic.php?f=7&t=2217 It is more for how to navigate the VA system. I have heard of great stories from people that have not had issues and I have heard of horror stories from people that just defies logic.

[ironhorse]

Thank you all. i appreciate the advice and concern.

[Porkchop]

First, a support system really does help when PTSD gets bad.... vodka does too... okay, bad joke. I probably shouldn't cope with booze, least sayeth my shrink. My support group at the VA has a phone tree that helps, and we regularly meet for coffee. Might I humbly suggest that you find something similar?

[Papa]

Iron, There is no silver bullet to help with PTSD. But understanding it helps. For 25 years I thought I was going crazy and each year it got worst. I worked longer hours and 6 days a week, I coached I was involved it town functions but no matter how busy I kept myself it just grew worst. I hit a wall and if not for my (late) wife I would not be writing this. BUt after a stint at the VA and sitting down with the psychologists (still doing that 20 years on) I got to understand the genesis of it all and the theory behind PTSD. Now when a flashback comes on...I just ride it out. Knowing I am not going nuts, but maybe I am a little nuts, helps. Face it straight on, take deep breaths and some time and then continue with the day. Loosing my wife added to it all. The cancer and incontinence and diapers just was the icing on the cake. Actually, dealing with the incontinence and diapers, is a distraction, although not one I would have chosen. Like I said, catch your breath, sit down, try to relax and then go on. Papa

[andoreo]

I've just had a couple of weeks of nearly being back to my old self, which was nice, but a few days ago my PTSD/anxiety issues got worse again. It feels like it comes in waves, but with each "valley" being slightly better than the last, so at least I'm getting better. My IC follows the same pattern, only with a slight delay of a couple of days, so at least I can prepare for that. The only advise I can give you is that it's going to get better, even if it doesn't feel like it right now.

I hope you feel better soon.