Mental Gymnastics

Why is it so hard to recover?

"According to its definition, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) may result when a person suffers an event or situation that is outside the range of normal experience, exceeds the individual’s perceived ability to meet its demands, and poses a serious threat to the loss of life."

"People with PTSD suffer from a range of symptoms that interfere with their capacities to enjoy normal life."

"Problems with memory. Persistent, intrusive, and vivid memories concerning the traumatic situation. Events of daily life may trigger distressing memories related to the trauma. Memory lapses for parts of the traumatic situation."

"A feeling of being powerless over the traumatic event. Anger and frustration over being powerless."

"Left with unexpressed rage against those who were indifferent to their situation and who failed to help them."

"In personal relationships there are problems of dependency and trust. A fear of being abandoned, betrayed, let down. A belief that people will be hurtful if given a chance. Feelings of self-hatred and humiliation for being needy, weak, and vulnerable."

"Alternating between isolation and anxious clinging."

"People who suffered traumatic experiences as children, teenagers, or young adults may simultaneously become prematurely aged and developmentally arrested. A part of them 'feels old'. Another part feels stuck at the age they had when the trauma occurred."

posted by kquill @ 2:23 AM