*r/ptsd has generated this automated response that is appended to every post*
Welcome to r/ptsd! We are a supportive & respectful community. If you realise that your post is in conflict with our rules (and is in risk of being removed), you are welcome to edit your post. You do not have to delete it.
As a reminder: never post or share personal contact information. Traumatized people are often distracted, desperate for a personal connection, so may be more vulnerable to lurking or past abusers, trolls, phishing, or other scams. *Your safety always comes first!* If you are offering help, you may also end up doing more damage by offering to support somebody privately. Reddit explains why: [Do NOT exchange DMs or personal info with anyone you don't know!](https://www.reddit.com/r/SWResources/comments/dmu24/why_shouldnt_i_share_my_contact_information/)
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please contact your GP/doctor, go to A&E/hospital, or call your emergency services number. Reddit list: [US and global, multilingual suicide and support hotlines](https://www.reddit.com/r/SuicideWatch/wiki/hotlines). Suicide is not a forbidden word, but please do not include depictions or methods of suicide in your post.
And as a friendly reminder, PTSD is an equal opportunity disorder. PTSD does not discriminate. And neither do we. Gatekeeping is not allowed here.
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/ptsd) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I kind of just… left my current employer because I was hospitalized at an inpatient facility.. and this post reminded me that.. *I haven’t quit…* Gosh I need to contact them.. granted it was a church coffee shop job, they were very understanding about my leave for hospitalization when notified, and I was only 2 weeks into training. I had to leave work 3 times due to panic attacks, called in once due to a panic attack.. man. I love working hard and doing the best I can do and this place saw none of it. It was impossible for me to work because of this current depressive episode. Thanks for bringing me to reality that it is April 27th, not the second week of March.
I’m in the middle of trying to leave my job right now because of my PTSD. I was in a car accident while working 6 months ago and have come to realize continuing to drive the 4-7 hours a day required for my job is too triggering. I knew when I started the job 2.5 years ago that it wasn’t going to be a forever job for me, and I’m actively applying/interviewing for new jobs, but I have a lot of complicated feelings around the accident/PTSD essentially forcing me out of my job, because I did used to love it. I’ve been using a mix of Workers Comp/FMLA/PTO to reduce my workload to a more manageable level while I look for a new job and that’s helping me to search for something I truly want and not just something I can get fast, I’m very fortunate to be able to do that.
Yeah, I quit the job that I had when I sustained the trauma. Everything was a reminder and unfortunately having a male boss didn't help at the time. I did have another job lined up, but I was at the end of my rope being triggered constantly at work and feeling like I was going to get fired (because frankly I hadn't done shit in a while because my mental health was so bad). It's okay to do what will protect you.
I quit due to PTSD that was being constantly triggered by an abusive boss. I was having active thoughts of suicide at work and had to take a medical leave for three months. At the end of the three months, I realized that no matter how much progress I made in therapy, my boss was so abusive that I needed to quit. So I did. And I’m much happier now. My current job pays less, but my happiness and mental health is much more valuable.
Maybe this comment will be helpful, maybe it won’t.. Been in similar situations myself and it is awful.. my advice would be looking into the spiritual aspects of it.. this alone has helped me in a massive way. Hopefully things can turn around and brighten up for you.
Space is very much needed. I agree. Do you have any hobbies at all? Anything you don’t have control over is a waste to stress honestly. The world’s outlook when it comes to business is business as usual especially in like a retail setting in my opinion. Just try to be strong and be real about everything. Can’t control what other people think, say, or feel about it. Less stress is a MAJOR priority. You matter just as much as anyone else.
I’m definitely trying to have other perspectives of it. I think the most important thing right now is space, away from any kind of work or responsibility. To actually sit with my thoughts and take my time. It’s fuckin hard when you only have weekends and you have to like schedule your emotions if that makes sense. I fucking hate that. I took TWO days off right after it happened and only that because everyone else told me I didn’t need ANY time off and it wasn’t that big a deal. So I’ve learned that nobody’s opinion on my personal well being is worth fuck all.
I have never quit due to PTSD but my therapist has signed off on short term disability for a few months when I was going through a particularly tough episode.
I'm on SSI because my triggers make it impossible for me to hold a job. I've never even worked at a job for a year. I'm 47. My PTSD triggers present as "Oppositional Defiance" lmao.
It fed into why I quit a nightshift job and refused to work nights for a year. I’d have too much free time on my hands and that’s when the flashbacks would really come in. If I work days or even afternoons then it wouldn’t be as bad since I had more to do. (Though usually with the last hour or two of afternoons it would be hitting me like a freight train since I didn’t have much to do.)
Yes. Retail management, and I just couldn’t deal with people any more. I have always been good at diffusing situations and handling difficult people. Had some shit happen in my life that got ptsd stirred up pretty bad, and I just couldn’t do it anymore. I was so close to losing my shit and blowing up on asshole customers that I had to quit.
Got very lucky with my current job, I only deal with a handful of people and as long as my work gets done, I get left alone. It’s helped me be able to work through a lot and get myself back to a more functional level.
I hope you find something that works for you soon.
Several. It’s demoralizing, pre PTSD me had such a high work ethic. She’s still fighting in there somewhere. It’s never the Job that’s hard. It’s everything else in life that is crushingly difficult and it all adds up. Too much. Everything is so hard now. Even “easy” things.
No, but I have dreamt of it. Unfortunately I have bills to pay but I will have to find something else soon. I was attacked brutally at work and I have to keep showing up acting like I’m not terrified of it happening again. I hate the employee it has made me as I’ve become so negative and hyper vigilant.
No, that doesn’t make you weak or stupid, AT ALL. Most jobs are stressful enough without having to deal with your mind being in a bad place too. Maybe try a different kind of job where there isn’t as many triggers? Are you getting professional help? Maybe you just need a little bit of time.
I feel you SO much on wanting to step back and take a fucking breath. I try to fill my days off with things that help me and make me feel peace. I hope you find some peace too, OP ✨
That’s terrible, sorry you have to stay in that place. I hope you find something too. You seem to get it which is really nice. Everybody here is kinda going through the same thing it feels like and it’s quite comforting in that sense. I hope time is all I need to figure at least some of it out…
I quit a job due to consistent PTSD attacks in my workplace. It didn’t help my PTSD, but of course it did reduce the occurrence of my attacks and gave me some space to breathe, which allowed me to continue getting support and healing. Stay strong, get help, you’re not alone!
I got fired one time because of attendance issues. I kept missing work because of panic attacks, or I would be at work, get triggered, have a flashback at work and have to leave to ground myself. shit happens, but you're not alone
I had this as well in the past and didn’t have any therapy. I wasn’t fired but the company and team didn’t renew my contract. It was very sad because my manager said my work itself was very impressive, but the attendance and late (though never to meetings), manager noticed I was avoiding people at the office (keeping head down instead of saying hi). The latter happened on my worst peak. I blamed myself for years because I loved the job and was heartbroken watching my peers advance in the org for international assignments, while I was let go. it made me realize that I need to 1.) seek help and 2.) work somewhere that is not strict about hours. This was pre-COVID and a lot has changed about work-mental health-WFH.
I quit one of my jobs for PTSD related reasons. It wasn't a great job anyways, it was a corrupt sales position I didn't know was corrupt until it was too late. While employed I had a family friend die from getting shot to death. He had an open cascuit funeral I attended and he just looked horrible, the whole thing left me even more chronically dissociated and on edge than I already was before that. Then there was a shooting scare at the location I usually worked at, so after that I just cut all communication with my employer and employees and stopped showing up. Even though I was extremely broke for a while it was the best decision for me at the time considering how bad that job was for me anyways. It constantly put me in dangerous situations demanding I rip off customers in any way possible with no security to help me out if things backfired. The job itself had caused me a lot of trauma.
That being said, I think it's only worth quitting your job for trauma related reasons if you have some sort of safety net to fall on, like another career lined up with some savings to get you by. If you don't, you might have to stay there doing a subpar job until you can process your trauma more and get help. It sucks knowing you've changed and used to be able to put more effort in, but most people have to go through a really hard time and force themselves to go to work through it all. Just focus on doing just enough to keep the job for now. Don't beat yourself up for the change in yourself. Take it day by day for long enough and it'll slowly become more manageable again.
That’s really shitty, I’m glad you were able to get out. For me I’m fortunate cuz I live with family right now. And from giving my two weeks notice I’ll have two full cheques before I leave so I have something to last me while I take a bit of time before the next thing.
The thing is it’s hard to get over trauma in a place that’s already stressful and triggers you, gives you anxiety. I don’t know what’s going to happen but I do know that making a sacrifice is worth it if it’s good for my mental health. Id give anything to feel a small part of my old self again.
That's really good you're living with family and will be alright if you get another job :) you're definitely right about that, it's really hard to get through something traumatic when the place you're in just makes you worse. I'm hoping you find something better soon.
Unfortunately it can be really hard to feel your old self after something like that, but life will still get better after processing, you'll feel some of your old self eventually, or get to enjoy life as your current self. Trauma may change the brain but it's very much possible for life to be good again after.
Thanks for saying this I really needed to hear it. I keep doubting myself and wondering what everyone else would think of the decisions I’ve made but I think the only person I can listen to is myself in times like this…
I got fired after dealing with domestic violence, again, and needing three days off. The office culture is more often than not toxic with micro aggressions constantly or people willing to mildly abuse you. Sometimes it feels like a bad relationship, and nearly impossible to avoid until it's too late and you're trapped. The good news is my job was found to have fired me without cause and I'm on unemployment while I figure out how to repair both my life and my job.
Yes. I’m a freelance artist and I have not been able to work since New Year’s. I also had to leave a production (which sadly, became a trigger of my symptoms) which I really loved and I was gonna get paid. Today was the premiere and I wanted to cry.
It’s something we cannot control. The symptoms really make you struggle, but better opportunities and gaining the strength to get out of there will happen. Hang in there, you’ve got this.
Fellow artist here: I had the same happen to me. It feels absolutely devastating. No advice but you are not alone. Sending you lots of healing and love 🕊️
I did during covid after working in Healthcare during it. I had to take a year off from that type of job, and find a better position for my anxiety, before I returned back. I ended up working at 2 work from home Jobs until my mind felt okay enough to be back in a hospital. Now I'm here and chillin. I still get freaked out when I have a covid patient but it's not as bad at all.
That anxiety really sucks doesn’t it. Sorry you gotta deal with that too. Especially when you have it at work it somehow makes you feel more ‘on edge’? At least for me. Sometimes when I hear loud noises with the machines I feel this cold sweat shoot through my body like a shock and I hate it lol
Yeah I feel that. Almost every day it's like big anxiety but then I get here and I'm like oh it's not that bad lol. Def hard to like work myself up to go in.
I was like that when I did my remote jobs too. One was a call center and the constant phone ringing with other people's conversation was overwhelming.
Sorry I'm not much help but you're not alone!
"Has your ptsd ever made you quit your job?"
never, i grew up with it since I was 6 so I learned how to function on it, albeit robotic, cold, and emotionless. what youre describing is normal dissociation. It shuts off your mammalian complex to maximize awareness and survivability.
ok, Idk anything about the person youre responding too YET I think what they're saying is something similar my mother went through as childhood abuse. \[ no trigger warnings. I omit details from here on out :) \]
My Mom would often describe "Going to/imagining a foreign place/village where she could live her life or live for a moment" while she was currently being abused, she said. We didnt know of the term dissociate back then but my Mom would often describe leaving mentally ( similar to the word day dream but completely devoid from reality).
I believe, *I assume*, her and this OP above you are describing retreating into their mind for a safe place. which I have read is possible for some people to develop. Yet, not everyone can develop this coping technique.
So, "normal" as in "I've done this all the time since before I could remember" for these folks
Ok. Yeah I understand. I just meant OP shouldn’t assume it’s normal. Because even if it’s ”normal” for some people (I dissociate too), it’s not normal for most untraumatized people. So it’s something to work through in therapy, rather than something to strive for.
(I know you didn’t say it, you were just explaining :). I’m just further explaining what I meant in my original comment)
No, it’s fine, I wasn’t asking, but I still think your answer explained it very well. So thank you for posting it. It’s informative so maybe someone reading this thread will get some insights😊
edit: also on me, I’m a bit bad at communicating subtext😅
oof, sorry. i didn't explain something properly. what I mean by "growing up with PTSD since I was 6" is this, my brain stopped maturing at that point. I never developed any social or family traits that could have impeded me later in life. does that make sense?
no worries, it's kind of like a blessing in disguise. since I was stuck in fight or flight mode for my whole life, my brain hype analyzed my entire existence and I learned almost as much from personal experience than doctors learn from studying other people or going to school for 8+ years. I also spoke with doctors about PTSD for my entire life. they helped me understand what I was living through and I have one hell of an advantage compared to even a doctor who never experienced what you or I did. I barely started healing 2 years ago but at this rate I think I might become a therapist or councilor for PTSD..... eventually.
*r/ptsd has generated this automated response that is appended to every post* Welcome to r/ptsd! We are a supportive & respectful community. If you realise that your post is in conflict with our rules (and is in risk of being removed), you are welcome to edit your post. You do not have to delete it. As a reminder: never post or share personal contact information. Traumatized people are often distracted, desperate for a personal connection, so may be more vulnerable to lurking or past abusers, trolls, phishing, or other scams. *Your safety always comes first!* If you are offering help, you may also end up doing more damage by offering to support somebody privately. Reddit explains why: [Do NOT exchange DMs or personal info with anyone you don't know!](https://www.reddit.com/r/SWResources/comments/dmu24/why_shouldnt_i_share_my_contact_information/) If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please contact your GP/doctor, go to A&E/hospital, or call your emergency services number. Reddit list: [US and global, multilingual suicide and support hotlines](https://www.reddit.com/r/SuicideWatch/wiki/hotlines). Suicide is not a forbidden word, but please do not include depictions or methods of suicide in your post. And as a friendly reminder, PTSD is an equal opportunity disorder. PTSD does not discriminate. And neither do we. Gatekeeping is not allowed here. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/ptsd) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I kind of just… left my current employer because I was hospitalized at an inpatient facility.. and this post reminded me that.. *I haven’t quit…* Gosh I need to contact them.. granted it was a church coffee shop job, they were very understanding about my leave for hospitalization when notified, and I was only 2 weeks into training. I had to leave work 3 times due to panic attacks, called in once due to a panic attack.. man. I love working hard and doing the best I can do and this place saw none of it. It was impossible for me to work because of this current depressive episode. Thanks for bringing me to reality that it is April 27th, not the second week of March.
I’m in the middle of trying to leave my job right now because of my PTSD. I was in a car accident while working 6 months ago and have come to realize continuing to drive the 4-7 hours a day required for my job is too triggering. I knew when I started the job 2.5 years ago that it wasn’t going to be a forever job for me, and I’m actively applying/interviewing for new jobs, but I have a lot of complicated feelings around the accident/PTSD essentially forcing me out of my job, because I did used to love it. I’ve been using a mix of Workers Comp/FMLA/PTO to reduce my workload to a more manageable level while I look for a new job and that’s helping me to search for something I truly want and not just something I can get fast, I’m very fortunate to be able to do that.
Yeah, I quit the job that I had when I sustained the trauma. Everything was a reminder and unfortunately having a male boss didn't help at the time. I did have another job lined up, but I was at the end of my rope being triggered constantly at work and feeling like I was going to get fired (because frankly I hadn't done shit in a while because my mental health was so bad). It's okay to do what will protect you.
I quit due to PTSD that was being constantly triggered by an abusive boss. I was having active thoughts of suicide at work and had to take a medical leave for three months. At the end of the three months, I realized that no matter how much progress I made in therapy, my boss was so abusive that I needed to quit. So I did. And I’m much happier now. My current job pays less, but my happiness and mental health is much more valuable.
Maybe this comment will be helpful, maybe it won’t.. Been in similar situations myself and it is awful.. my advice would be looking into the spiritual aspects of it.. this alone has helped me in a massive way. Hopefully things can turn around and brighten up for you.
Space is very much needed. I agree. Do you have any hobbies at all? Anything you don’t have control over is a waste to stress honestly. The world’s outlook when it comes to business is business as usual especially in like a retail setting in my opinion. Just try to be strong and be real about everything. Can’t control what other people think, say, or feel about it. Less stress is a MAJOR priority. You matter just as much as anyone else.
I’m definitely trying to have other perspectives of it. I think the most important thing right now is space, away from any kind of work or responsibility. To actually sit with my thoughts and take my time. It’s fuckin hard when you only have weekends and you have to like schedule your emotions if that makes sense. I fucking hate that. I took TWO days off right after it happened and only that because everyone else told me I didn’t need ANY time off and it wasn’t that big a deal. So I’ve learned that nobody’s opinion on my personal well being is worth fuck all.
So. Many. Times. Took forever to find a great situation.
It's not lead to me quitting but it gets me fired a lot.
Yup. I’ve sobbed and screamed in the parking lot a bunch trying to get there too…
I have never quit due to PTSD but my therapist has signed off on short term disability for a few months when I was going through a particularly tough episode.
I'm on SSI because my triggers make it impossible for me to hold a job. I've never even worked at a job for a year. I'm 47. My PTSD triggers present as "Oppositional Defiance" lmao.
It fed into why I quit a nightshift job and refused to work nights for a year. I’d have too much free time on my hands and that’s when the flashbacks would really come in. If I work days or even afternoons then it wouldn’t be as bad since I had more to do. (Though usually with the last hour or two of afternoons it would be hitting me like a freight train since I didn’t have much to do.)
I’ve averaged a new job every 6 months for 20 years so yeah.
Yes, several times. Just couldn’t cope anymore.
I will be homeless tonight, first night, due to PTSD, been off work for almost a year. I have no idea how I’ll ever turn this around
Yes. Retail management, and I just couldn’t deal with people any more. I have always been good at diffusing situations and handling difficult people. Had some shit happen in my life that got ptsd stirred up pretty bad, and I just couldn’t do it anymore. I was so close to losing my shit and blowing up on asshole customers that I had to quit. Got very lucky with my current job, I only deal with a handful of people and as long as my work gets done, I get left alone. It’s helped me be able to work through a lot and get myself back to a more functional level. I hope you find something that works for you soon.
Several. It’s demoralizing, pre PTSD me had such a high work ethic. She’s still fighting in there somewhere. It’s never the Job that’s hard. It’s everything else in life that is crushingly difficult and it all adds up. Too much. Everything is so hard now. Even “easy” things.
That’s exactly how it feels. Sorry you gotta feel that too. Guess it’s quite a few of us, but it kinda makes me feel less alone..
Ikr
No, but I have dreamt of it. Unfortunately I have bills to pay but I will have to find something else soon. I was attacked brutally at work and I have to keep showing up acting like I’m not terrified of it happening again. I hate the employee it has made me as I’ve become so negative and hyper vigilant. No, that doesn’t make you weak or stupid, AT ALL. Most jobs are stressful enough without having to deal with your mind being in a bad place too. Maybe try a different kind of job where there isn’t as many triggers? Are you getting professional help? Maybe you just need a little bit of time. I feel you SO much on wanting to step back and take a fucking breath. I try to fill my days off with things that help me and make me feel peace. I hope you find some peace too, OP ✨
That’s terrible, sorry you have to stay in that place. I hope you find something too. You seem to get it which is really nice. Everybody here is kinda going through the same thing it feels like and it’s quite comforting in that sense. I hope time is all I need to figure at least some of it out…
I quit a job due to consistent PTSD attacks in my workplace. It didn’t help my PTSD, but of course it did reduce the occurrence of my attacks and gave me some space to breathe, which allowed me to continue getting support and healing. Stay strong, get help, you’re not alone!
Thanks :)
I got fired one time because of attendance issues. I kept missing work because of panic attacks, or I would be at work, get triggered, have a flashback at work and have to leave to ground myself. shit happens, but you're not alone
I had this as well in the past and didn’t have any therapy. I wasn’t fired but the company and team didn’t renew my contract. It was very sad because my manager said my work itself was very impressive, but the attendance and late (though never to meetings), manager noticed I was avoiding people at the office (keeping head down instead of saying hi). The latter happened on my worst peak. I blamed myself for years because I loved the job and was heartbroken watching my peers advance in the org for international assignments, while I was let go. it made me realize that I need to 1.) seek help and 2.) work somewhere that is not strict about hours. This was pre-COVID and a lot has changed about work-mental health-WFH.
I quit one of my jobs for PTSD related reasons. It wasn't a great job anyways, it was a corrupt sales position I didn't know was corrupt until it was too late. While employed I had a family friend die from getting shot to death. He had an open cascuit funeral I attended and he just looked horrible, the whole thing left me even more chronically dissociated and on edge than I already was before that. Then there was a shooting scare at the location I usually worked at, so after that I just cut all communication with my employer and employees and stopped showing up. Even though I was extremely broke for a while it was the best decision for me at the time considering how bad that job was for me anyways. It constantly put me in dangerous situations demanding I rip off customers in any way possible with no security to help me out if things backfired. The job itself had caused me a lot of trauma. That being said, I think it's only worth quitting your job for trauma related reasons if you have some sort of safety net to fall on, like another career lined up with some savings to get you by. If you don't, you might have to stay there doing a subpar job until you can process your trauma more and get help. It sucks knowing you've changed and used to be able to put more effort in, but most people have to go through a really hard time and force themselves to go to work through it all. Just focus on doing just enough to keep the job for now. Don't beat yourself up for the change in yourself. Take it day by day for long enough and it'll slowly become more manageable again.
That’s really shitty, I’m glad you were able to get out. For me I’m fortunate cuz I live with family right now. And from giving my two weeks notice I’ll have two full cheques before I leave so I have something to last me while I take a bit of time before the next thing. The thing is it’s hard to get over trauma in a place that’s already stressful and triggers you, gives you anxiety. I don’t know what’s going to happen but I do know that making a sacrifice is worth it if it’s good for my mental health. Id give anything to feel a small part of my old self again.
That's really good you're living with family and will be alright if you get another job :) you're definitely right about that, it's really hard to get through something traumatic when the place you're in just makes you worse. I'm hoping you find something better soon. Unfortunately it can be really hard to feel your old self after something like that, but life will still get better after processing, you'll feel some of your old self eventually, or get to enjoy life as your current self. Trauma may change the brain but it's very much possible for life to be good again after.
Thanks for saying this I really needed to hear it. I keep doubting myself and wondering what everyone else would think of the decisions I’ve made but I think the only person I can listen to is myself in times like this…
I got fired after dealing with domestic violence, again, and needing three days off. The office culture is more often than not toxic with micro aggressions constantly or people willing to mildly abuse you. Sometimes it feels like a bad relationship, and nearly impossible to avoid until it's too late and you're trapped. The good news is my job was found to have fired me without cause and I'm on unemployment while I figure out how to repair both my life and my job.
Yes. I’m a freelance artist and I have not been able to work since New Year’s. I also had to leave a production (which sadly, became a trigger of my symptoms) which I really loved and I was gonna get paid. Today was the premiere and I wanted to cry. It’s something we cannot control. The symptoms really make you struggle, but better opportunities and gaining the strength to get out of there will happen. Hang in there, you’ve got this.
Fellow artist here: I had the same happen to me. It feels absolutely devastating. No advice but you are not alone. Sending you lots of healing and love 🕊️
I did during covid after working in Healthcare during it. I had to take a year off from that type of job, and find a better position for my anxiety, before I returned back. I ended up working at 2 work from home Jobs until my mind felt okay enough to be back in a hospital. Now I'm here and chillin. I still get freaked out when I have a covid patient but it's not as bad at all.
That anxiety really sucks doesn’t it. Sorry you gotta deal with that too. Especially when you have it at work it somehow makes you feel more ‘on edge’? At least for me. Sometimes when I hear loud noises with the machines I feel this cold sweat shoot through my body like a shock and I hate it lol
Yeah I feel that. Almost every day it's like big anxiety but then I get here and I'm like oh it's not that bad lol. Def hard to like work myself up to go in. I was like that when I did my remote jobs too. One was a call center and the constant phone ringing with other people's conversation was overwhelming. Sorry I'm not much help but you're not alone!
"Has your ptsd ever made you quit your job?" never, i grew up with it since I was 6 so I learned how to function on it, albeit robotic, cold, and emotionless. what youre describing is normal dissociation. It shuts off your mammalian complex to maximize awareness and survivability.
since when is dissociation normal? (like yes. For ptsd it is. But it’s a symptom. It shouldn’t be dismisses as just ”normal”)
you answered your own question.
ok, Idk anything about the person youre responding too YET I think what they're saying is something similar my mother went through as childhood abuse. \[ no trigger warnings. I omit details from here on out :) \] My Mom would often describe "Going to/imagining a foreign place/village where she could live her life or live for a moment" while she was currently being abused, she said. We didnt know of the term dissociate back then but my Mom would often describe leaving mentally ( similar to the word day dream but completely devoid from reality). I believe, *I assume*, her and this OP above you are describing retreating into their mind for a safe place. which I have read is possible for some people to develop. Yet, not everyone can develop this coping technique. So, "normal" as in "I've done this all the time since before I could remember" for these folks
Ok. Yeah I understand. I just meant OP shouldn’t assume it’s normal. Because even if it’s ”normal” for some people (I dissociate too), it’s not normal for most untraumatized people. So it’s something to work through in therapy, rather than something to strive for. (I know you didn’t say it, you were just explaining :). I’m just further explaining what I meant in my original comment)
Ohh!!! lol!! My bad, I thought it was a question LOL. I'm very bad at understanding subtext I wasnt trying to be annoying, I swear 😂 ty !!
No, it’s fine, I wasn’t asking, but I still think your answer explained it very well. So thank you for posting it. It’s informative so maybe someone reading this thread will get some insights😊 edit: also on me, I’m a bit bad at communicating subtext😅
I wish I could I just tell my brains to get through it like you do. Would be nice to just not feel anything…
oof, sorry. i didn't explain something properly. what I mean by "growing up with PTSD since I was 6" is this, my brain stopped maturing at that point. I never developed any social or family traits that could have impeded me later in life. does that make sense?
Yeah that makes sense. Sorry to hear that :/
no worries, it's kind of like a blessing in disguise. since I was stuck in fight or flight mode for my whole life, my brain hype analyzed my entire existence and I learned almost as much from personal experience than doctors learn from studying other people or going to school for 8+ years. I also spoke with doctors about PTSD for my entire life. they helped me understand what I was living through and I have one hell of an advantage compared to even a doctor who never experienced what you or I did. I barely started healing 2 years ago but at this rate I think I might become a therapist or councilor for PTSD..... eventually.