a couple people have mentioned PTSD

[sb2009]

Is it an ok topic in here? To talk about how it affect what we do, etc?

I have been diagnosed with PTSD, the kind that is due to long term circumstances.

One of the things about it that bothers me the most is my hyper startle response. It seems minor, but it embarrasses me almost daily, scares the kids sometimes, and in general just is inconvienent.

I also *sometimes* get scared if I'm being held down. FUNNY for someone into bondage, right? It's not frequent, but something will trigger the panic and I'll start to freak...my husband is really good at noticing my panic reaction and talks me through it. He's not a big one for untieing me, he wants me to push through the experience.

There are other things, but those are the two that come to mind right now. So could some of us share some ways of coping with these issues, etc? Or is it not an appropriate place?

 

[Essene]

I was diagnosed with it a few years back. I went to a specialist who does EMDR and I processed the shit out of the really bad experiences.

Now I just watch my stress levels, although I still have some minor issues like - insomnia and nightmares (hey, insomnia is better than a psychotic break).

I'm kind of wondering if by "pushing" you through your uncomfortable/anxious moments that might be reiterating and reenforcing the trauma.

Unless you feel better afterward?

As far as this as a topic, I think just about anything goes here.

 

[kiba]

i have had the EMDR pretty intense at the time. i think it works for some not others

 

[sb2009]

right, I wonder too if it's better or not. Thankfully it rarely happens. It would be a total bummer not to be tied up!

 

[Essene]

i have had the EMDR pretty intense at the time. i think it works for some not others

It's too bad that it doesn't work for everyone with PTSD. I was so fed up with not being able to function (this was like 10 years ago) that I was going to do anything to overcome it.

If EMDR didn't work for me, I don't know where I'd be at right now. - And that thought is a very scary thing.

right, I wonder too if it's better or not. Thankfully it rarely happens. It would be a total bummer not to be tied up!

It WOULD be a total bummer not to be tied up. LOL

 

[Keroin]

i have had the EMDR pretty intense at the time. i think it works for some not others

I have a good friend who is a therapist who does EMDR. Yes, she says it works very well for lots of people but not for everyone. It is an effective way to deal with the trauma without dredging it back up in detail.

 

[sb2009]

and as a side sort of note, last night there was the typical sort of fireworks going on in our area. Mostly small stuff, the big events were Saturday. My husband used to be the fireworks guy for the kids.

Last night we were in the house and he made a comment along the lines of "nothing like the memory of IEDs to help celebrate the birth of the nation" and it brought home, again, how some parts of our lives will never be the same again.

 

[DVS]

Is it an ok topic in here? To talk about how it affect what we do, etc?

I have been diagnosed with PTSD, the kind that is due to long term circumstances.

One of the things about it that bothers me the most is my hyper startle response. It seems minor, but it embarrasses me almost daily, scares the kids sometimes, and in general just is inconvienent.

I also *sometimes* get scared if I'm being held down. FUNNY for someone into bondage, right? It's not frequent, but something will trigger the panic and I'll start to freak...my husband is really good at noticing my panic reaction and talks me through it. He's not a big one for untieing me, he wants me to push through the experience.

There are other things, but those are the two that come to mind right now. So could some of us share some ways of coping with these issues, etc? Or is it not an appropriate place?

I don't have PTSD, but I do have claustrophobia. Luckily, I'm not a pyl or that would be an issue with bondage. I require being in control of my person at all times.

That brings me to the comment in your message that I bolded. If I were to be tied up and started having a panic attack because of claustrophobia or something related, I'd not request but demand to be untied and not told to push through it. I don't know how PTSD relates to claustrophobia in this case, but I don't think I'd enjoy the thought of pushing through the experience at all.

I'm a PYL and don't give a damn about pleasing someone in such a situation. I'd just want what I want, no matter what anybody else says. I'd be such a sammy sub!

 

[FungiUg]

There are other things, but those are the two that come to mind right now. So could some of us share some ways of coping with these issues, etc? Or is it not an appropriate place?

I'm not sure that PTSD necessarily results in the same issues for different people. My flatmate suffers from it, and gets panic attacks and the like. Er, actually I get panic attacks too, but that's just claustrophobia.

Yes, I can imagine that it would be something you would have to factor into play session. My recommendation is that if you want to work on the issues, find a supportive counsellor or therapist; don't make the mistake that your partner will know what to do or what's best for you in that circumstance.

Bit of a serious topic. Maybe one of the mods might move it into the BDSM Talk session?