Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

http://www.questia.com/library/psychology/mental-health/post-traumatic-stress-syndrome.jsp

When I was much younger, I had a great many personal failures that within themselves could have been very self-defeating. It went from being a witness to an abusive marital relationship with my parents to bed wetting, day wetting, severe public shyness/backwardness (which is commonly misunderstood to be antisocial), lack of interest in taking pride in necessary things (which all too often is misunderstood as intentional personal neglect), mediocre grades (which is misunderstood to be laziness), graduating without a goal....on and on and on from there to the ever so enlightened and wizened present in which I have come to rest within quite accomplished and happily fulfilled.

What is the key? I honestly could not say. What works for such things? I would not boast to know. I could reveal what worked and what did not work for myself, but that is what it was...for me.

One of the most important things I have found to be without question is personal grounding. Never forsake being whom and how one is most naturally. Men and women both need the individual outlets that allow them to be the most productive for themselves before they could ever be successful, truly fulfilled within any kind of relationship or career. This may not happen within the early years, it may even be much later in life that one finds enough depth to overcome individual obstacles, but my hope would be that no one would ever give up, especially on themselves.

It is not selfish to take care of oneself. It is not selfish to consider oneself's most prominent needs above even those of their family, it is infact possibly far more beneficial to the family, even to the community if one is to do so.

I appreciate this forum and it's members, as I have found a place of great love.

ETA: As I read this over, I cringed at the possible impression that I have 'arrived' or 'achieved' everything I personally hope to or aim to...as I have not, nor do I ever think I will, because each new day brings a new kind of potential.

Hi, Gypsy! Thank you for sharing about what helps you. It is hard to work through PTSD and people should never give up.