Posted by kerria on September 12, 2005, at 21:33:09
In reply to When do you medicate for PTSD (warning: violence), posted by delna on September 12, 2005, at 9:25:59
Hi Delna,
Your friend is so blessed to have a good friend as you.
PTSD is different with everyone that has it- and some people are helped by meds.
Most PTSD symptoms aren't helped by medication very much. Usually it's not a constant symptom like depression- when the person needs their mood lifted because all their thoughts are sad.
With Post Traumatic Stress Disorder there are times when a person is triggered and a memory/flashback is relived about the bad event, she can be totally in a state of panic for hours but not All the time. It comes and goes.
My Dr gives Valium to take as needed- for panic, sleeplessness or take before therapy. It doesn't make much difference, it's still upsetting. Talk therapy supposed to be the main thing that works for someone who doesn't have constant sx.
i think that your friend should get away from that guy also but things like that are so complicated for the victim. Maybe she can totally forget and not ever think of it.
Anyways the medicine can't stop that guy from hurting her again and it probably won't change her mind about staying with him if she really wants to.
Maybe he should get the medicine and talk therapy /anger management- if someone could get him to see his problem and go for help.
That's so good that you could be a supportive friend to help - that's better than meds for PTSD. Try to have her see a psychiatrist if she tells you about any symptoms like panic attacks or has trouble with not being able to make decisions or feels depressed.
The terrible thing about PTSD is that it changes who we are. People always misunderstand and think it's about forgiveness but it isn't at all. It changes victims - not for the better- but they need so much more help than medicine.i'm not an expert except have that dx also.
Take care,
kerria
poster:kerria
thread:554132
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050909/msgs/554432.html