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I was diagnosed with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) 8 years ago, after witnessing a shooting in my family. I used to have very dehabilitating symptoms and wasn't able to go to school or work, but after years of intensive treatments I've improved dramatically. However, I still have constant, chronic nightmares. In some nightmares I relive the shooting, but in others I am simply trapped in the house where the shooting took place, or trying to get out of the same house because it is dark or burning or flooding, or any other disaster you can think of. I have these nightmares probably about 90% of the time when I'm sleeping, including during naps. I've had many treatments for the PTSD - cognitive behaviour therapy, talk therapy, exposure therapy, medication - plus I've tried relaxation, self-hypnosis, and changing my diet. I don't use any alcohol, caffeine, or illicit drugs. I've been tested for sleep disorders and had a thorough physical to rule out any organic brain disorder.
I'm sort of resigned to having the nightmares now, I've had them for 8 years, and pretty much consider them a part of my adult life (I am 26... the shooting was when I was 18). But if anyone on this board has any other suggestions for me, has heard of new treatments, anything at all - I would be grateful to hear from you. Thank you!
It is not uncommon for people who have been thru the emotional trauma you have to take a long time to heal.Idon't pretend to be an expert but I do have a few questions. What is the quality of your life now?Do you have friends, hobbies ,interests ,goals for the future,role models,activities you enjoy?Is your homelife stable?I hope you are not offended by all these questions, just trying to get a clearer picture.Just trying to help.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: a Biological Disorder
Hello Orange,
I look upon PTSD as a problem not so much affected by what goes on in the mind, but rather what is happening at the biochemical level. Thus although conventional treatment methods tend to look at the psychological aspect of PTSD, I consider the abnormal psychological experiences to be symptoms of a unbalanced biochemistry and NOT causes of PTSD.
When people experience a trauma as you have, stress hormones interfere with the production of feel good neurotransmitters such as serotonin. This can cause depression, but at this stage it would be classed as environmental depression.
Normally what happens is that after a period of let us say six months or more, the person starts to produce the feel good neurotransmitters and the person resumes life.
In some people this does not happen. It seems that people with PTSD continue to feel depressed and emotionally upset. The reason is that the person does not appear to be able to produce the feel good neurotransmitters that would enable them to enjoy life normally.
For the body to produce the feel good neuro chemical in the brain it needs the right nutritional forerunners of neurotransmitters - such as tryptophan as the precursor of serotonin - but most importantly it will require an inordinate amount of biological energy, called ATP, that is derived form glucose in our food. Without that energy the brain cannot produce serotonin.
One major reason why some people cannot metabolise glucose into biological energy is Insulin Resistance.
This means that receptors for insulin fail to push glucose across cell membranes and hence cells are starved of energy for it to manufacture the feel good neurotransmitters.
Brain cells derive their energy solely by the blood sugar supply: it has no other sources of energy. Hence when brain cells are starved of energy it will trigger the release of adrenaline from the adrenal glands. This hormone functions to convert sugar stores in the body such as glycogen into glucose so as to feed the brain again. But adrenaline is also the fight/flight hormone, that can cause anxiety attacks, insomnia and nightmares.
It is of course natural for a person with PTSD to associate this with the trauma suffered, as one rational explanation.
When the body is flooded with adrenaline, without an environmental source of danger, it is usually experienced as an anxiety attack. It is a major cause of ‘mental’ illness. Most conventional therapists are not familiar with this approach.
The good news is that Insulin Resistance, also called hypoglycemia can be treated without recourse to drugs, because it is basically a nutritional disorder. It can be treated by going on a Hypoglycemic Diet.
Thanks for your reply. I think it's too funny that you answered both my questions, haha. I wondered if anyone would see both of them!
Anyway, you asked me about my life now. What comes to mind is "busy"! I work, go to school, and speak at local highschools and other groups about my childhood (foster care and having a mother with schizophrenia). In fact, the only reason I've been off and on this site all day is because I have the flu, and I tend to think too much about stuff when I'm not busy! !
I have 2 very good friends, and many acquaintances, but I would like to have more. It's difficult for me to make new friends though, partially because of how busy I am, and also I guess because of the PTSD and growing up in foster care. I have some trouble trusting people. I live alone, and don't have any biological family anymore - my parents are deceased and I was an only child.
I have quite a few interests which I enjoy regularly, but they are mostly all solitary... mountain biking, drawing, reading, collecting old movies. My goals for the future are to succeed in my chosen career and get married so I can have a family of my own. I also might like to take in foster children since I know firsthand what it's like to be one.
Hope I answered your questions. Thanks again for your reply.
Jurplesman, thanks for all the information! I knew about the neurotransmitters and the serotonin, etc, but did not know about the link to hypoglycemia. I'd definitely be willing to give it a try, as the usual psychotropic drugs haven't worked for my nightmares. Thanks for the links... I will check them out tomorrow.
Aside from the nightmares you seem very well adjuted ,I suspect that time will heal your injury as far as the medical I'm no doctor but you seem to be a very strong person so I'm confident you will be better.Stay patient and cool keep in touch.
Talaniman, thanks for your interest and advice... I'm glad you think I'm well adjusted. I'm not so sure, LOL! But I hope you're right. I would love for the nightmares to go away eventually.
I was diagnosed with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) 8 years ago, after witnessing a shooting in my family. I used to have very dehabilitating symptoms and wasn't able to go to school or work, but after years of intensive treatments I've improved dramatically. However, I still have constant, chronic nightmares. In some nightmares I relive the shooting, but in others I am simply trapped in the house where the shooting took place, or trying to get out of the same house because it is dark or burning or flooding, or any other disaster you can think of. I have these nightmares probably about 90% of the time when I'm sleeping, including during naps. I've had many treatments for the PTSD - cognitive behaviour therapy, talk therapy, exposure therapy, medication - plus I've tried relaxation, self-hypnosis, and changing my diet. I don't use any alcohol, caffeine, or illicit drugs. I've been tested for sleep disorders and had a thorough physical to rule out any organic brain disorder.
I'm sort of resigned to having the nightmares now, I've had them for 8 years, and pretty much consider them a part of my adult life (I am 26... the shooting was when I was 18). But if anyone on this board has any other suggestions for me, has heard of new treatments, anything at all - I would be grateful to hear from you. Thank you!
Just getting done with reading that you also get a lot of colds and flu, and now this, it reminds me of when I was treated for my Post Traumatic Symdrome with antidepressants and even valium for some time. These drugs induced nightmares and also night-sweats and elevated temperature until I put two and two together and tapered myself off of these drugs. From my own experience, these drugs should be taken with caution and not over a long period of time by some of us, but most doctors don't have the time or inclination to help us get to the real problem and hope for a quick 'cure' that either gets us hooked on pharmaceuticals or create more problems. In my opinion there really is no 'cure' for Post Traumatic Symdrome - it's the way we deal with it throughout our lives that reduce the symptoms, and that means understanding oneself and preparing for the 'bouts' that will always crop up, and anything that can trigger them. I've started keeping a journal and can pretty much predict when, especially under stressful conditions. Some even get triggered when completely alone and not used to that, therefore the need for people and work to avoid the past as much as we can. So, I guess we all have to find our own way of treatment that fits us and not everyone in general, as we are all different. As I said in the other post, see another doctor, with the list I suggested, and both of you figure out a way to help you since you know more about your body than anyone else and also what it's been through. Good Luck dear, and keep us posted. Hope your flu is almost finished going through it's stages.
Thanks Chery! Nice to meet someone else with PTSD. I used to keep a journal but don't anymore. Maybe I should start again. As far as the medication goes, I haven't taken anything for 2 years, so unfortunately I don't think that could be it. The drugs never really worked for me, so I didn't stay on them for long.
! 
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