Hugs! I'm so sorry that happened to your son. My DH has PTSD from serving in Iraq. He had it for years and was able to cope well enough to pretty much hide it from me, or at least hide how much it was affecting him. He was recently diagnosed with unresolved PTSD by the VA. I can imagine that in a young child, it might manifest itself in a variety of ways and he will have a very difficult time coping at times. Things may trigger it that you might never consider amd it may be a long road to healing for him. I believe therapy is really the best treatment, although I know a few people on meds for it as well. I'm not sure you want to go the med route at that age. Have you asked the Psych for advice on things that can be done at home and school to help him along the way? Good luck to you.
I have two different forms of ptsd. Complex from sexual assults and kidnapping. And general from the birth of my twins. They both manifest in different ways. Complex (which is not yet widely recognized) causes me to be detached from what happened and I believe is the source of my anxiety and panic disorder. Therapy helped tremendously, but only the right counselor. I went through several before I found the right one that helped me.
I actually thought I was ok, but the birth of my children was so traumatic, it triggered the panic disorder to be 100 times worse then ever before and I finally had to go on medication after 15 years of doing without any. I became agoraphobic, though I am getting much much better now. I can't go to a concert or deal with the public for extended amounts of time, but I can leave my house and go to the grocery store now. But it was really traumatic; i crashed, my ds was born not breathing, and dd was pulled out and the doctor blatently lied). Most people will not go through something traumatic enough to trigger symptoms to come back. I really hope this isn't scaring you, just trying to give all the info I can.
So, just keep trying with the counseling, and maybe try a new one if this one is not helping. The thing that was most enlightening was when I finalky understood and knew that the sexual abuse was not my fault at all. For some reason that is the hardest part to accept. I could say it wasn't my fault, but there was always that little paet that found a way to blame myself. If I hadn't been there, if I had fought harder, if I knew what the person was doing, and so on. Sorry this is hetting long, but I kerp thinking of little thinga that might help.
I remember the counselor flat out said' you were a child. He knee exactly what he was doing and that it was wrong. It was not up to you to change anything that happened. It is 150% on the monster who did it to you.' Those were the words that set me free from blame and everything else. Granted I was an adult at thr time, so it will be more difficult with a child. Anyway, that's pretty much the basics of how a victim's mind works.
(((Hugs))) to your child.
Thinking of you and your son-I have PTSD--just remember it is not about you-do not take it personally-that is hard-therapy and continue therapy-and to remind him he is safe-he is safe, does he have flashbacks? Remind him who you are -like I am mommy and you are safe-
Let me think here-does he draw--give him some relaxation things he can choose if he is feeling stressed too much--guide him to those choices if needed
Talk to me anytime-it is late and that is what I can think of right now
oh maybe he is having flashbacks if he doing 180 degree turn--that could be a big part-maybe there is a trigger--mine was rooms with closed doors, the color red, men too close
Do you know his triggers?
flashbacks were he---!!
Thinking of you and your son!!
Quoting lifeisajoy:oh maybe he is having flashbacks if he doing 180 degree turn--that could be a big part-maybe there is a trigger--mine was rooms with closed doors, the color red, men too close
Do you know his triggers?
flashbacks were he---!!
Thinking of you and your son!!
when you talked about saying not your fault--after I heard that like 100 times then I let myself free and only after 100 times of hearing that though-I tried to commit suicide once years ago due to the horendous and
he--ish flashbacks--
Now I am doing great though and man not to have those flashbacks for years and years is awesome!!!!
OP just reassure your son you are there for him--tell him some days may be hard for mommy too but you are there for him--
Quoting sammygrl77:
I forgot about the triggers and flashbacks. Those are tough too.
Quoting lifeisajoy:oh maybe he is having flashbacks if he doing 180 degree turn--that could be a big part-maybe there is a trigger--mine was rooms with closed doors, the color red, men too close
Do you know his triggers?
flashbacks were he---!!
Thinking of you and your son!!
are you going on a vacation this summer , where ?
- irishmama07
on Feb. 6, 2013 at 5:26 PM