I tried different things to overcome ptsd and suicidal thoughts. What helped you the most?

[Monique696]

I tried various ways to overcome ptsd due to years of childhood trauma.
Therapy of different sorts, moving, legal and illegal substances. None have worked long term.
What has helped you to cope with your past and to move on?
Take care
Monique

 

[BreakTheCycle]

I guess this is not the answer u wanna have because I just don't cope with my PTSD. I've been to therapy and many other shit that was supposed to help me. It didn't. Sometimes after MDMA-trips I won't have flashbacks but it's just for a couple of days, maybe 1 week. After my LSD- and Psylo-trips I also have 1-2 weeks without any symptoms but these trips themself are hell. It's like a flashback during the entire trip. It's very hard to deal with this shit and I've kinda accepted that there won't be a normal life for me.
I hope for u to find something that might helps. I wish u well.

 

[Monique696]

I guess this is not the answer u wanna have because I just don't cope with my PTSD. I've been to therapy and many other shit that was supposed to help me. It didn't. Sometimes after MDMA-trips I won't have flashbacks but it's just for a couple of days, maybe 1 week. After my LSD- and Psylo-trips I also have 1-2 weeks without any symptoms but these trips themself are hell. It's like a flashback during the entire trip. It's very hard to deal with this shit and I've kinda accepted that there won't be a normal life for me.
I hope for u to find something that might helps. I wish u well.

I understand.
Sadly I have to stay away from lsd and shrooms since it caused a psychosis with me that lasted months. (I overdid it)
Getting tired of the struggle. I am 30 and married but I feel lonely and disconnected. Staying alive for my husband and the animals to be honest. No career possible
No friends since the psychosis and my time inside the clinic.
It just gets a bit much and the doctors told me if I ever even did even weed again it might trigger a psychosis much worse and longer than the last. Weed helped me to cope over the past years.
Just don't know. Sometimes I wonder about charcoal and chill. Just ending it and going to sleep.

 

[fox_wannabe]

I disciplined myself not to give into emotions. I mean I started It yesterday but It might me helpful for you to try that.

 

[tiredplant777]

Oh man I wish I had an answer. I'm going to try and meditate rn because that has helped in the past. Psychedelics do help me but it's never long term help so far ... it might sound stupid but I feel like if I had someone who loved me who would cuddle and hold me on a daily basis I would feel a lot better. When this is available it helps a lot, but it's never been long term.

 

[Sra_TZ]

The drugs helped for a while. Self harm got to the point where people found out and I couldn't continue anymore. More often than not, I'd turn to impulsive activites to just "forget" it for a while. Reckless driving, meaningless sex, staying out past curfew etc. All worked for a little while until everything would hit me right in the face again.

For the sake of someone who wanted me to get better, I sobered up and tried something different. Helping others was something that worked longer than any of the aforementioned. It would just feel good to know someone benefited from something I said or did. It can be tiring sometimes and my mental health would sometimes take a dip, but for the most part, it helped.

Other than that, I just spend a lot of time hyperfocused on work to distract myself from other feelings. These days though, I'm kinda numb to experiencing emotions altogether.
~S

 

[Mr2005]

My answers not going to be very useful but at least you didn't post it in recovery. Avoiding as much as possible is only way I get by. Even just being here triggers my ptsd.

 

[walden]

I'm on SSDI for PTSD, it helps when the regular stress of everyday life is removed. PTSD is the worst because there is no way to recover and it's just something you hope you can learn to cope with, it has ruined my life entirely. They should allow euthanasia for PTSD sufferers. I've been microdosing Amanita Muscaria which can act on GABA like benzos do but without being as awful or habit forming. It helps take the edge off every 3 days when I take it, but when the storms hit I feel there are no other options but to try and weather them, hoping for a better day or moment in the future. I'm in counseling now to try EMDR therapy, but I'm doubtful it will really help. I feel like I already died 20 years ago when my PTSD started, no fun being a ghost and watching your dreams become nightmares.

 

[Makko]

Obsessions help against other mental health issues by replacing them.

 

[Monique696]

I'm on SSDI for PTSD, it helps when the regular stress of everyday life is removed. PTSD is the worst because there is no way to recover and it's just something you hope you can learn to cope with, it has ruined my life entirely. They should allow euthanasia for PTSD sufferers. I've been microdosing Amanita Muscaria which can act on GABA like benzos do but without being as awful or habit forming. It helps take the edge off every 3 days when I take it, but when the storms hit I feel there are no other options but to try and weather them, hoping for a better day or moment in the future. I'm in counseling now to try EMDR therapy, but I'm doubtful it will really help. I feel like I already died 20 years ago when my PTSD started, no fun being a ghost and watching your dreams become nightmares.

I feel you.
Emdr can help but with me it worked the opposite. My therapist told me it was great especially for one time Traumata. (If you had a car crash for example you just need like 6 hours on average she told me) Made me worse and was the reason I stopped therapy.
Also tried the locking up method and behavior therapy.
My husband, the dogs and the cat keep me alive. Even tho I have to say I just want to end it still. Just don't know if it will ever get better. He is still young. He can remarry and have a normal family one day. That's what is going threw my mind most of the times when it's bad.
Are you able to work?

 

[walden]

I feel you.
Emdr can help but with me it worked the opposite. My therapist told me it was great especially for one time Traumata. (If you had a car crash for example you just need like 6 hours on average she told me) Made me worse and was the reason I stopped therapy.
Also tried the locking up method and behavior therapy.
My husband, the dogs and the cat keep me alive. Even tho I have to say I just want to end it still. Just don't know if it will ever get better. He is still young. He can remarry and have a normal family one day. That's what is going threw my mind most of the times when it's bad.
Are you able to work?

I tried working for 20 years after my traumatic experience, but I was never the same. I cant hold a job because my symptoms are too overwhelming.

 

[Monique696]

I tried working for 20 years after my traumatic experience, but I was never the same. I cant hold a job because my symptoms are too overwhelming.

I'm sorry to hear that.

 

[A_miStake_of_NATURE]

I don't think anyone who's still here was able to cope and move on. I think that's why we're all here. Because we just can't cope….

 

[Pure]

MDMA, ketamine, LSD, psilocybin, and ayahuasca all have evidence (anectodal and scientifically) in helping treat PTSD so I wouldnt say you've tried everything if you haven't given those a try (which I understand may not be possible due to the huge costs associated with them).

I started microdosing shrooms (which has psilocybin) and I've seen a big difference in my mood. I do still struggle with depression and suicidal urges but they've decreased a lot and drinking the tea gives me an instant mood boost for a few hours.

I plan on attending an ayahuasca retreat and will write up my experiences with it but so far, the number of reviews that state that ayahuasca has been incredibly helpful to people's mental state no matter the trauma outweighs the negatives I've seen.

 

[everydayiloveyou]

For suicidal thoughts, nothing really helps but learning about the pro-choice mindset has helped with the obsession. I also feel less alone coming someplace like SS and talking about these feelings, vs. going on r/SuicideWatch or somewhere else where they will ignore your severe symptoms and insist you are illogical and crazy.

I don't think the SI will go away unless my anxiety goes away though. To not have suicidal thoughts, things have to go well. Doing safe activities that I enjoy is usually enough to not have them so strongly.

 

[Jumping_realms]

Honestly nothing; I'm going to CTB due to this.

I can't get past invasive thoughts by any means.

 

[rosie93]

I plan on attending an ayahuasca retreat and will write up my experiences with it but so far, the number of reviews that state that ayahuasca has been incredibly helpful to people's mental state no matter the trauma outweighs the negatives I've seen.

Sounds great!

 

[stygal]

I struggle with ptsd symptoms every day so I feel you.
Im scared of taking psychodelic drugs as they could lead to more flashbacks or an amplified feeling of being unsafe/in a psychotic state.
If I was truly ready to recover (or thought it was worth it I'd maybe try microdosing)

What helped me:

-Being in nature as far away from other humans or bigger animals as possible
-Hyperfocusing on creating art (any hobby really that doesn't involve others)
-Hyperfocusing on work when alone in the office
-Cardio to the point of total exhaustion
-Sleep
-Having a safe space aka my home
-Noisecanceling Earphones
-Having a daily routine
-"Stimming" when stressed by touching the same "safe" objects over and over

 

[AndromedaZ]

Honestly, the one and only thing that has "saved" me from suicide some days was getting too high to move. Not sure it's a good recovery suggestion, but it's the truth

 

[Monique696]

Honestly, the one and only thing that has "saved" me from suicide some days was getting too high to move. Not sure it's a good recovery suggestion, but it's the truth

I feel that one. Clean since almost a full year. It's an overrated experience.
I miss weed so much. It was my perfect escape for a while

 

[clown_17]

Nothings actually helped for it personally. Meds stopped it from getting worse, but they haven't made things get better. Starting emdr but doubtful it'll help at all. The only thing that sorta helps for an hour or so is going on a walk, and obviously I don't want to do that during an episode. Sometimes traveling helps too, feeling like you're moving/escaping. Benzos help sometimes

 

[Monique696]

Nothings actually helped for it personally. Meds stopped it from getting worse, but they haven't made things get better. Starting emdr but doubtful it'll help at all. The only thing that sorta helps for an hour or so is going on a walk, and obviously I don't want to do that during an episode. Sometimes traveling helps too, feeling like you're moving/escaping. Benzos help sometimes

I miss travelling and tried to find a handicap friendly house in a secluded area for years
Still kicking and alive tho so thats a win. Even tho im back on here severely contemplating. Yet by now I at least get medical cannabis wich has helped me tremendously. Over 1.5 years sober and the pain got worse and worse so compared to back then i have to say i got better.

Thank you all for the many posts and replies. Sometimes i just forget everything.
Even people in more or less rare cases...
Isnt life fun? When strangers come and try to hug you and you dont know who it is or even could be?
This insanity is difficult to cope with. Hardly leave the apartment anymore. Sometimes its hard to even shower or brush my teeth.
Cant remember the last time I actually did my nails.
Yet from time to time there comes a good day... and poof you get that sweet sweet smile and this delightful delusion that this moment may stay for a while...

How is everyone else doing from this post? Its been 2 years since 2021
How was your life? Did any therapy help? Been doing medical cannabis again and its been a lifesaver.

 

[Forever Sleep]

Being creative. That was always my crutch throughout life. St John's Wort and 5HTP seemed to help a little. (But be warned- it messes with other medications!) I went to a little bit of therapy at college and took Fluoexetine (Prozac) for one course. The only time I felt better was when I had a new project to concentrate on.

If you want solutions that maybe worked better for people- you might want to try the 'recovery' section. I imagine for most people here- their coping mechanisms/ treatments failed to a larger extent!

 

[Monique696]

Being creative. That was always my crutch throughout life. St John's Wort and 5HTP seemed to help a little. (But be warned- it messes with other medications!) I went to a little bit of therapy at college and took Fluoexetine (Prozac) for one course. The only time I felt better was when I had a new project to concentrate on.

If you want solutions that maybe worked better for people- you might want to try the 'recovery' section. I imagine for most people here- their coping mechanisms/ treatments failed to a larger extent!

5htp i also tried but except for belly pain it did nothing for me.
As long as it improved your life a little bit its worth a try.
I am not in recovery. Might sound silly but i dont want to trigget those who managed over there in the recovered section.
Not to push someone over the edge etc
For me there is no mechsnism that has helped for longer times. Regardless of the therapy, Pills or alternatives. Hardly kept one alive at points