Patricia.Ferguson@f13.n123.z1.fidonet.org (Patricia Ferguson) (12/01/90)
Index Number: 12100
* Replying to a message originally to Art Lee
MA> patient. My diagnosis is bipolar disorder (which includes
MA> auditory hallucinations and posttraumatic stress syndrome
MA> from childhood abuse. I've been in the hospital several
Marda, I am a little bit curious about this type of disorder and the
childhood abuse that goes along with it. I have reason to suspect
that this is a condition that is occurring in a loved one. Can you tell me
a little more about it? Do you remember the childhood abuse? Does it
emerge on occasion as a flashback or what? I'm not sure what posttraumatic
stress syndrome really means but I could assume from the name what it
implies. Also when you say auditory hallucinations does this mean ringing of
the ears, sounds or voices being heard, or what? They are considering
lithium to help but arent sure yet. Can you tell me anything about lithium?
I hope I'm not being too nosey here but I am concerned. I really hope they
find an appropriate medication that helps ease the stress he is going
through...and I hope they find it soon. BTW, we are picking up the Mental
Health echo here but I havent seen anything come through yet. I will ask
them to check out the links again. Thanks for letting me be so inquisitive!
TTYL....
--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!123!13!Patricia.Ferguson
Internet: Patricia.Ferguson@f13.n123.z1.fidonet.orgChris.Brown@f223.n163.z1.fidonet.org (Chris Brown) (12/05/90)
Index Number: 12202
just to let you know that the canadian Health Department has stated
that persons with some mental health problems should be checked for
sensitivities to substances in the environment.
--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!163!223!Chris.Brown
Internet: Chris.Brown@f223.n163.z1.fidonet.orgMarda.Anderson@f9.n393.z1.fidonet.org (Marda Anderson) (12/05/90)
Index Number: 12215
Hi, Patricia. I went to answer this in the mental health echo and then
couldn't remember what your message said so I had to come back here and
look for it again. You asked about the childhood abuse. In my case,
there was physical, verbal and sexual abuse. I had completely blocked
that out until shortly before I went into the hospital. Then the
floodgates opened and it seemed like every sound, every smell, just
everything in my environment would trigger some new memories. Now I
still have memories coming up though niot as many. I sure wish this
would end because it's no fun. Sometimes the memories come up in
ordinary sort of way but other times I have flashbacks. Sometimes I'll
be thinking and behaving as though I were a little child. It changes my
whole environment. For instance, I thought my guide dog May was Rascal,
a boxer we had when I was little.
That one was a scary one because it was the day Rascal died. Anyway I
can't remember all you asked. If I missed anything, post it again and
I'll answereither here in mental health. I can't remember if I've
answered everything. I addressed your questions about lithium in the
mental health echo. If I can be of further help, let me know. I hope
this message isn't as disjointed as I think it is, it's just hard to
know. I'm getting really confused so better sign off for now.
--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!393!9!Marda.Anderson
Internet: Marda.Anderson@f9.n393.z1.fidonet.orgPatricia.Ferguson@f13.n123.z1.fidonet.org (Patricia Ferguson) (12/14/90)
Index Number: 12467
MA> about the childhood abuse. In my case, there was physical,
MA> verbal and sexual abuse. I had completely blocked that out
My sister-in-law believes this has happened in her life also. She said she
has flashbacks about abuse that are arising now. She is on Lithium and
triavil, I believe. She really hasnt said much about it but does say that
if it decides to come out, it just will and nothing can stop it.
MA> floodgates opened and it seemed like every sound, every
MA> smell, just everything in my environment would trigger some
MA> new memories. Now I still have memories coming up though
Sounds rather scarey. I hope it all is over soon for you.
MA> thinking and behaving as though I were a little child. It
MA> changes my whole environment. For instance, I thought my
Even more disturbing to you, I'm sure. Do you realize that you are behaving
that way at the time or does it just kind of sneak up on you and play
"surprise attack" and you remember that you did these things later?
MA> addressed your questions about lithium in the mental health
Got it! Thanks too!
MA> this message isn't as disjointed as I think it is, it's just
MA> hard to know. I'm getting really confused so better sign
No more than my messages!!! Thanks again!
--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!123!13!Patricia.Ferguson
Internet: Patricia.Ferguson@f13.n123.z1.fidonet.orgMarda.Anderson@f9.n393.z1.fidonet.org (Marda Anderson) (12/14/90)
Index Number: 12476
If your sister believes she was the victim of abuse, she probably was.
It's not the kind of thing you generally make up especially if there are
flashbacks. When I have a flashback, I can look back on it later and
know it happened but I have no control over my actions at the time if
it's really bad. I'm getting better at being more aware when things are
happening but it's a process that can take a long time. If your sister
was the victim of sexual abuse you might want to suggest to her that she
read the book "The Courage to Heal" by Ellen Bass and Laura something or
other. It's available in most bookstores and is a very good book. If
she's like most people, she probably is still dealing with the reality
that it did indeed happen. When this all first started, I thought it
couldn't be real, that I was just making all of it up for some reason.
But I learned to trust myself enough to believe this was something real.
Hopefully, she'll be able to find some kind of support group. It sure
helps.
Well, I hope this was some help. I just know this has to be scary for
her too and I want her to know she is not alone and there is hope.
marda
--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!393!9!Marda.Anderson
Internet: Marda.Anderson@f9.n393.z1.fidonet.orgEarl.Appleby@hnews.fidonet.org (Earl Appleby) (12/14/90)
Index Number: 12496
In a message to Marda Anderson, Catherine Odette wrote ...
CO> People who survived The Holocaust (in nazi Europe) like both my
CO> parents, say that although the memories are a permanent curse,
CO> that living is the best way to ensure that the nazi plan (along
CO> with other anti-
CO> semites!) has been a failure.
My grandfather was murdered by the Nazis at Mauthausen just five days
before the camp was liberated! My grandmother died at 48, her heart
weakened by the Nazi occupation of Luxembourg, an early victim of
American checkbook euthanasia.
CO> We too, survived a major trauma, and while dealing with it is hell
CO> finding a life that is good for us, is one way of fighting off the
CO> results.
Someone once said, "Living is the best revenge." While I think it is
far more. I am determined that the Nazis and their philosophical heirs
will win only over my dead body, as my Mom as a girl of 19 once told
an SS pig ... but that's another story!
CO> I bid you peace for all your days.
CO> --catherine
May I have the privilege of wishing the same to you and yours?
--Earl
--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!Earl.Appleby
Internet: Earl.Appleby@hnews.fidonet.org