overcome PTSD

I’ve made a lot of progress over the past year.

I made my dog a service dog and now she accompanies me everywhere. It enables me to go places I otherwise couldn’t.

Now I’m working my way towards being around people I know, not just the general public.

on anxiety, actually it’s a workbook, but it has a section specifically on PTSD

i’ve thumbed through it and read bits and pieces … there’s alot there that makes sense and alot to think about.

i think i’ll only be able to take the book in small doses though

I’m trying to limit my watching/reading of news about the devastating effects of Katrina.

It’s retraumatizing to see it so I just try to learn of any major updates.

I try to go over the symptoms every now and then to remind myself why I do what I do.

Also, I think they’ve been exacerbated by the death of my dog Paco who was hit and killed by a car.

Here’s a list of PTSD symptoms:

1. Re-experiencing the event through vivid memories or flashbacks.

2. Feeling “emotionally numb”.

3. Feeling overwhelmed by what would normally be considered everyday situations and diminished interest in performing normal tasks or persuing usual interests.

4. Crying uncontrollably.

5. Isolating oneself from family and friends and avoiding social situations.

6. Relying increasingly on alcohol or drugs to get through the day.

7. Feeling extremely moody, irritable, angry, suspicious or frightened.

8. Having difficulty falling or staying asleep, sleeping too much and/or experiencing nightmares.

9. Feeling guilty about surviving.

10. Feeling fears and a sense of doom about the future.

i’ve been seeing an LPC (licensed practical counselor) for 4yrs now and am getting better, it’ll just take a while longer