i really need to add this: how the family court judges are elected or appointed MUST be changed. they should first be judged themselves for their fitness to be a judge in family court and; every so often be judged again for their fitness.

@peach. Thank you for understanding - though I know going through what we went through is a huge price to pay for u understanding! You are a strong, brave woman! So good to be able to share with you. (I am 57.) I probably did not receive your other posts. I get an e-mail regarding some posts but not all on the topic at hand for some reason. I also agree with you 100% about judges. Who knows how many lives have been ruined because of bad judges? Also agree wirh the need for more and better mental health care! Thanks so much, Peach. God bless you!

Yes I do. It makes relating to others: friends, family, doctors, etc.. very difficult. Most medical doctors know almost nothing and tend to make false assumptions & prejudicial decisions toward treatment or non treatment.
I would like to hear other's experiences, in terms of their pain & treatment.
PTSD (largely) created my Fibromyalgia, and the intense pain and agony of seeking treatment, makes it worse.
It's a vicious cycle.

@nanke99

I wonder if many doctors shy away from dealing with PTSD because they don't really understand it the way a psychotherapist might, and may be afraid of doing or saying the wrong thing. I imagine that it takes a lot of training to work with people with PTSD, especially when there are so many different types of and reasons for the illness. I've found that PTSD support groups can be very helpful.

Hi Jim @jimhd

I'm a great believer in the value of support groups. I wasn't aware that there were support groups specifically for PTSD. How did you find the support group? Was it through NAMI or another organization?

Teresa

to me, the doctors cannot help us. we need a specifically caring and qualified person in whatever their title is to be able to help us help ourselves. i do not think that a doctor will be paid by the insurance companies for this category. i am not sure about this, but then why will they (the doctors) not do this? why are we kept out of the loop in knowing these regulations? we are paying for this within the charges to us. i think most doctors have not "walked in our shoes" to realize the on going suffering in our lives. there should be a course for the doctors to take on this subject. we need the doctors and they need us. again, another shame for the medical field.

dear blindeyepug: this is in reply to your request. in a short form. born into a family with both mother and father mentally ill. for no reason would regularly beat me with the buckle side of the belt, break dinner dishes over my head, lift me up by the hair on my head and then throw me, plus whatever took their fancy. they allowed my sisters to do the same. and much, much more. if there were more of an awareness of the mental illnesses in the early 1930's perhaps it would have helped. i thought i was nothing. i would hide in the closed so as not to be seen to be beaten. and much, much more. enough for now. (p.s.food was withheld. ) and much, much more. now i am here. i suppose i am not correct on some of what i write, but i try my best. and you also will be well and do good, you will see. with love, barbara.

Hello Barbara @peach414144

I appreciate your sharing your story with us. Your upbringing was certainly tough and that makes you a survivor. As we share our stories, it is encouraging to others to share their story as well. Understanding what we have been through is like a personal history lesson. We begin to learn what made us the way we are and why we have problems with relationships and anxiety and the rest of it.

Teresa

@peach. We clearly had very similar childhoods. So glad we have both been able to move forward in a positive direction. ❤

@hopeful33250

The group was offered at the Lutheran Community Services, who took over the county mental health service. The depression/anxiety group was more beneficial for me, but they were both ten years ago. I wish there were more resources available, but that's just one sacrifice for living in a rural community. There may be other groups in the city that's an hour away. That's too much driving for my budget.

I did take a peer counseling class a few years ago, sponsored by NAMI. It was interesting.

Jim