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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Colleen D. on September 13, 2004, at 14:09:59
I think my problems stem from an inherited chemical imbalance, but I can't help but think that my life experience is plenty to blame too.
I had an unwanted violent sexual experience at age 16.
I lost my first baby half way through the pregnancy. She was stillborn at 20w1d due to an infection that resulted from my having amniocentesis.
I got PG 5 months later an gave birth to my special needs son who has a chromosome abnormality.
Does anyone here have PTSD or know something about it? I think I may have to add this one to my repertoire. No wonder I'm so messed up.
Colleen
PPD, GAD and OCD
Posted by antigua on September 13, 2004, at 16:36:05
In reply to Do these events qualify as traumatic?, posted by Colleen D. on September 13, 2004, at 14:09:59
Yes, alone each one probably is traumatic and taken together there is little doubt IMO. In essence, they build on one another.
I've never met anyone else who lost a baby due to the infection from an amnio test. It happened to me and I was heartbroken. I had a miscarriage before this pregnancy so it really set me back.
I suffer from PTSD due to abuse as a child and it has affected how I've dealt w/everything else in my life, including the losses.
I'm really sorry you have had to go through all these things. I'm here if you'd like to talk.
best,
antigua
antigua
Posted by gardenergirl on September 13, 2004, at 22:48:50
In reply to Re: Do these events qualify as traumatic?, posted by antigua on September 13, 2004, at 16:36:05
I doubt I can put my fingers on it again, but I swear I ran across a study that said this very thing...that miscarriages and difficult pregnancy/labors can be a source of trauma. Which can lead to PTSD or acute stress syndrome.
I'm sorry you both had to go through that. I can't imagine the pain of losing a baby. You have my symptathy.
Warmly,
gg
Posted by alexis6 on September 14, 2004, at 2:56:00
In reply to Do these events qualify as traumatic?, posted by Colleen D. on September 13, 2004, at 14:09:59
Colleen,
Those are terrible things to go through, and absolutely traumatic enough for there to be a possibility of PTSD. I was diagnosed with Complex PTSD from repetitive childhood trauma, and afterwards came across some wonderful sites that provide a lot of information and articles that may help you in your search for answers. I hope they may help, I wish you the best.
http://www.sidran.org/survivor.html
http://www.mhsanctuary.com/ptsd/
http://www.ncptsd.org/facts/general/fs_overview.html
-Alexis
Posted by Racer on September 14, 2004, at 15:51:15
In reply to Re: Do these events qualify as traumatic?, posted by alexis6 on September 14, 2004, at 2:56:00
This is something I've mused about, and here's the answer I've come up with that *feels* most right to me: I don't think we're always aware of the traumatic events in our own lives.
While I've never made it to 20 weeks, I've had a number of miscarriages, and I know that they're traumatic -- no matter how early in pregnancy. All have been in the first eight weeks or so, but you know what? I was aware of the presence every time, so losing that hurt every time. (Except for a miscarriage after a rape which had led to an infection as well as the pregnancy -- that time, it was like there was something there, but not the same sense of another in that space.)
The event that led me to my conclusion, though, was being hit by a car when I was four. I've never thought of it as traumatic, because it didn't seem traumatic at the time. It's only now that I realize it was a trauma, in a physical sense certainly, and probably a psychological trauma as well.
I guess the point I'm trying to make is that all of your experiences are probably traumas, they do build on one another -- my guess is that the events in your teen years probably combined with the miscarriage to make the birth of your SN son much more traumatic than it might otherwise have been -- and that you may not ever really recognize all the events that led to your current dx.
What to do now is another question -- trying to identify all the traumas? Or trying to accept that a trauma has occurred, that it was real, and then processing it? That's a question I haven't answered entirely for myself yet, but I think it's also one that everyone has to answer for herself.
Best luck.
Posted by Colleen D. on September 14, 2004, at 18:26:01
In reply to Re: Do these events qualify as traumatic?, posted by antigua on September 13, 2004, at 16:36:05
Antigua,
I'm sorry for your losses. It's so difficult to lose a little one no matter how far you've gotten into your pregnancy. Losing our Anna really set me back for some time too. I hope you've found some sense of healing since then. That's what I'm seeking now, to accept these things and find a bit of peace. It's great to know you're out there when I do need to talk. Perhaps soon.
Thanks,
Colleen
Posted by Colleen D. on September 14, 2004, at 18:27:12
In reply to Re: Do these events qualify as traumatic?, posted by gardenergirl on September 13, 2004, at 22:48:50
Thank you, gg.
> I doubt I can put my fingers on it again, but I swear I ran across a study that said this very thing...that miscarriages and difficult pregnancy/labors can be a source of trauma. Which can lead to PTSD or acute stress syndrome.
>
> I'm sorry you both had to go through that. I can't imagine the pain of losing a baby. You have my symptathy.
>
> Warmly,
> gg
Posted by Colleen D. on September 14, 2004, at 18:28:53
In reply to Re: Do these events qualify as traumatic?, posted by alexis6 on September 14, 2004, at 2:56:00
Thanks so much, Alexis. What a wealth of resources!
Peace,
Colleen> Colleen,
>
> Those are terrible things to go through, and absolutely traumatic enough for there to be a possibility of PTSD. I was diagnosed with Complex PTSD from repetitive childhood trauma, and afterwards came across some wonderful sites that provide a lot of information and articles that may help you in your search for answers. I hope they may help, I wish you the best.
>
> http://www.sidran.org/survivor.html
>
> http://www.mhsanctuary.com/ptsd/
>
> http://www.ncptsd.org/facts/general/fs_overview.html
>
> -Alexis
Posted by Colleen D. on September 14, 2004, at 18:38:56
In reply to Re: Do these events qualify as traumatic?, posted by Racer on September 14, 2004, at 15:51:15
Thanks, Racer.
I'm so sorry to hear you've experienced the pain of such losses too.
Right now it seems as though I'm going through a phase of "taking inventory" because it's the first time I've been not too depressed to assess myself and decide on a course of action to help myself heal. I haven't gotten to that action part either, and I'm still not sure what all it will entail!
Thanks for your kind words. Good luck to you too!
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