Past Trauma, Current Problems (Don’t Suffer in Silence)

People tend to associate PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) exclusively with war veterans.  While this group is very susceptible to PTSD, they are not the only group.  Anyone who has witnessed or experienced a traumatic event may find it difficult to function now as a result from trauma-related memories and other symptoms.  This could be a result of abuse (physical, sexual, emotional), neglect, an accident, and other events.

Because of the complexity of the development of PTSD and the symptoms experienced by the sufferer, it is not realistic to expect someone who has experienced severe trauma to “just get over it.” For some, even decades after the incident, their re-experience of it is so vivid that PTSD symptoms interfere in major areas of life, including relationship and intimacy, work, and school.

I am best known for my writing on overcoming Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), but PTSD  also significantly affected my life for many years, and I was unaware that this condition was at the root of a great deal of my suffering.  As with any other mental health condition, once we begin to pursue help, our life can change.

For as long as I can remember, I have been a sensitive person.  My heart swells with compassion for any hurting being.  As a child, like most children  would be, I was very perplexed and frightened by many of the things I witnessed and experienced (including domestic violence in the home) growing up. Being emotionally sensitive intensified my response.

Even years after traumatic experiences, I would have intense emotional reactions to certain objects, places, and people who reminded me of past trauma and triggered a reaction. Perhaps you can relate.  Some people also experience dissociation, where they temporarily feel disconnected from their surroundings and sometimes even themselves.

Well meaning loved ones often say things such as, “It’s been almost twenty years! Get over it already!” or “That was so long ago. I don’t understand why you’re acting like it just happened.”

For the person experiencing the flashbacks, nightmares, dissociation, and other symptoms associated with PTSD, it can truly feel as if they are reliving the traumatic event over and over again, even decades later.  Because of the seriousness of this condition, competent professional evaluation and guidance are essential.

Fortunately, Optimum Performance Institute (OPI) offers an intensive, residential treatment program, tailored to your specific situation, to help you on your journey of healing from the past.  There are many effective treatments available, and together with your clinical team, you will find the plan that is the best fit for you. Some modalities include: talk therapy, exposure trauma recovery (writing about the past trauma and then sharing your experience with a safe, supportive group to desensitize to triggers), EMDR, and more.

If you are fed up with symptoms related to trauma from the past interfering with your ability to live the life you want, there is hope!  The moment you decide to reach out and take that first step, your healing journey begins.  Please do not continue to suffer in silence.

For more information on OPI residential programs and our measures to help young adults with Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD), call us at (888) 814-5985 or click HERE to submit an online form. We’ll be in touch promptly.