Any women members here that have PTSD, and Acute Clinical Depression?

Hi blindeyepug! Thank you for your reply! I would love to correspond. My family & friends call me "Katt" now. The next few weeks are going to be very tough. I have so much to do, and meeting my new VA doctors. I will do my best to stay in touch. I have to go now to take care of this days business. Lots to do when you move! I'm looking for local support groups. ~Katt~

FYI Ive been able to use EMDR with 2 different local therapists. They both would be willing to charge on a sliding scale, with appointments as low as 10$ for once a week sessions. There are always private people around willing to help supplement what you get through the VA. Some parts of emdr have been more helpful than others. But the helpful parts are amazing!

Also I've found that keeping the windows open and the Tv off for hours a day really help with my general feelings. Scented candles help too, as does having a ceiling fan over my bed so I can easily adjust it as my body temp shifts.

Amother thought, Katt. PTSD from abuse when you were a child is a very painful and difficult thing that seems to be present in every part of our lives. It is not something that gets resolved quickly if ever. I fight it all the time but I always come back to this: fighting is better than the alternative. Thank you brain that you've developed a way for me to survive the emotions and pain that come from such horrific events in our lives. I know if I had to deal with it all at once I wouldn't make it. The constant drip drip drip of PTSD is draining and oh so hard to face each day. But it is better than the alternative. And sometimes the long hard fight suddenly pays off and the PTSD goes away - after 50 years of hell some of my symptoms are letting up. It is truely amazing. And I had to do my work every day and learn to trust myself, find people who love me the way I am, do countless hours of therapy - 30 years worth - and take lots of medication. No one thing resolves the trauma. Lots of pounding and pounding away at the issues. Today I am in a place where I can tell you it's worth it to keep at it. Just do what you can do today, and be very loving towards yourself while you do it. We are here and we understand and we are with you!

I am so thrilled at the women reaching out and sharing! So many great ideas. The thing to remember is you're not alone! Many have survived and carry on. I am not saying it isn't difficult, but I am saying it IS possible. Try different therapies until you find the one or multiple ones that work for you. I don't carry it so much on my sleeve any longer - nor am I consumed by it or fear. I know praying helps me and being in a prayer group helps me. I do have occasional "triggers" but I do not respond to them the way I used to respond. The horror of incest and abuse is an internal scar you can never get rid of, but it doesn't have to be a gaping wound or a scab that gets yanked off or picked at until infected. It can become a scar that you know is there and you look at sometimes and you are reminded of sometimes, but it doesn't hurt you like it did before. You can tell people about it who ask or need to know about that scar, but you can do so with confidence and without worry about judgment. It CAN happen. My three sisters and I are testament to the same. I do hope your move went well and that you find some resources near you soon. Also, be careful of the groups you look to become involved in. Some bring you down and can get you stuck in what I call "emotional quick sand". You need to know as ugly and painful and hurtful and frighting your experience was and still is to you, you CAN get better and live better and feel better. By the way, I also sleep with a ceiling fan on - it helps me! I also have always had a dog. The presence of a dog helps me feel calmer and safer. I also take medication for depression and to help me sleep. Some people may need medication in addition to talk therapy and other more natural therapies. I, too, am praying for you! You have reached out - that is a wonderful step! Your journey will be unlike anyone else's, but you can use some of the same steps! I pray you feel sunlight today and are warmed by the many people praying for you and encouraging you.

Kathy, I am so sorry for everything you are going through... I too have my battles with depression and was subjected to sexual incest as a child.
Another therapy worth looking into is Equine Therapy. I found a psychologist here in Canada that works with individuals and couples for PTSD. His area of focus is on Vets and has finely got the Canadian government to give there support in making Equine Therapy available to vets and their families. My husband is not a vet but we did go for some sessions with him and the work he facilitates while using horses as a healing tool is quite remarkable! I found the impact quite powerful and my husband and i both agree that Equine Therapy
and EMDR are very strong tools in moving towards healing. I hope your new psychiatrist can bring some new hope and help into your life. Will be thinking of you and will check back in to hear how your appointment goes. Take care! jeanne

Looking for someone to connect to (preferably a woman because I am one). I need to talk about what to do with the mess that I am.

Hi @wife1. Welcome to Connect. I'm so glad you found our community. I too have struggled with depression and felt like I complete mess before, so I understand. You should be really proud of yourself for reaching out and asking for support.

I moved your post over to this thread since there are already a number of women discussing clinical depression here. I hope they will welcome you with open arms! I'm also tagging @klaymom, @wolfer1975 and @dawn_giacabazi who I hope will offer their thoughts and support as well.

You may also want to look at this thread where people are discussing use of anti depressants: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/i-have-been-on-so-many-anti-depressants-over-the-past-35/

Can I ask, are you taking any medications or seeing a mental health professional?

Sending you a virtual hug!

Welcome! You already have strength for simply joining this very supportive and loving community. Life gives us many burdens and great great challenges, but sometimes those things are given to us to transform us into women of strength and glory. I will add you to my prayers.

Big hug and welcome!! What kind of mess are we talking about??

I've been on several medications for almost 20 years now. I also was married to a narcissist for ten years and he took my girls away from me, I literally have hardly any support. I've found it very hard to find happiness again.