Dear Racingdj (Jim),
Thank you for chosing to post here.
PTSD is a serious illness, and it saddens me to hear that your ex-wife refers to you as a "mental case." Such hurtful words leave a mark on you as well as your daughter (if this type of language is spoken around your daughter as she is still young and may not be educated in mental illness issues). Further, an allegation of abuse to your daughter to prevent any type of custody is shameful on your ex-wife's part. I am glad that you share that all washed out as unfounded; however, it cost you much time (and I am thinking was devastating for you), and for that, that is a disservice to you and the time that could have been better spent with forming a relationship with your daughter.
(On a personal note, I did not begin to have a real relationship with my own father until I was over 18 years old. For us, it wasn't too late. I never would have guessed at the time that my dad and I would have the relationship we do.)
I, too, have PTSD. I am fortunate in that I am now able to be much more productive than I used to be (I am 39 years old). I am no longer brought down by shakes and triggers like I once was. I share that, because there is reason to believe that your days forward will not always look and feel like today. I too had to find the schedule and situation that worked best for me and at my pace to get to a place of recovery with my PTSD. Committing to effective treatment is needful to support you as you discover what works best.
You share you are seeing your doctor weekly. Do you like your therapist? Do you feel like you are getting effective treatment?
Please keep us posted, as this community is not a place of judgment, but of support. If we can answer any thoughts or concerns, please let us know.
Best,
Kimberly Tyler
Dear Racingdj (Jim),
Thank you for chosing to post here.
PTSD is a serious illness, and it saddens me to hear that your ex-wife refers to you as a "mental case." Such hurtful words leave a mark on you as well as your daughter (if this type of language is spoken around your daughter as she is still young and may not be educated in mental illness issues). Further, an allegation of abuse to your daughter to prevent any type of custody is shameful on your ex-wife's part. I am glad that you share that all washed out as unfounded; however, it cost you much time (and I am thinking was devastating for you), and for that, that is a disservice to you and the time that could have been better spent with forming a relationship with your daughter.
(On a personal note, I did not begin to have a real relationship with my own father until I was over 18 years old. For us, it wasn't too late. I never would have guessed at the time that my dad and I would have the relationship we do.)
I, too, have PTSD. I am fortunate in that I am now able to be much more productive than I used to be (I am 39 years old). I am no longer brought down by shakes and triggers like I once was. I share that, because there is reason to believe that your days forward will not always look and feel like today. I too had to find the schedule and situation that worked best for me and at my pace to get to a place of recovery with my PTSD. Committing to effective treatment is needful to support you as you discover what works best.
You share you are seeing your doctor weekly. Do you like your therapist? Do you feel like you are getting effective treatment?
Please keep us posted, as this community is not a place of judgment, but of support. If we can answer any thoughts or concerns, please let us know.
Best,
Kimberly Tyler