Working on Healing (River) (was Hello from a Newly Diagnosed Person- KJ)

[Guest guest]

Hi River! A couple of things you said really struck a chord...

Quoting River DeHart :

> I also had severe Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, so it was too easy for docs

> to just say it was mental and send me to a therapist.

Me too! In fact, I have the tremendously bad habit of not talking about it to my

doctors because I don't want them diagnosing me with " all in my head " .

Interestingly enough, my neurologist asked me about my childhood (without

prying) when she pronounced me a fibromyalgia sufferer.

> I'm now studying to be a therapist who specializes in trauma and chronic

>illness.

You are VERY brave. I studied psychology & am *this* close to having my

bachelor's degree & even have some credits into my master's, but I realized

something. I am not personally ready to counsel other people about their

trauma. I have not fully dealt with mine, & now with the fibromyalgia I KNOW I

do not have the energy to deal with mine, let alone other people's. Yes, I know

I have more work to do, but in the meantime I have changed my major to criminal

justice emphasis on criminalistics. I figure if I can help catch some of these

lovely people, I can PREVENT PTSD. That's my way of helping now.

You are much stronger than me!

> I guess my point is, I knew something was wrong, and had a good idea what it

>was. You did too. I also am finding a way to make my life more manageable.

>You will too. Good luck.

Thank you! And you too, with your studies. Any suggestions you have for making

life more manageable, by all means, please share. I am currently at a complete

loss (aside from Flexeril...that stuff is changing my life slowly but surely).

--kj

*http://www.youravon.com/kadan

" Like German tourists, the stupid are everywhere. " -A.J. Rimmer