Complex PTSD and no help available

HollyGCat

Well I guess you are all right! How do I get off these things!!!!!
Fears UK could follow the US into opioid crisis
https://eur04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.sky.com%2Fstory%2Ffears-uk-could-follow-the-us-into-opioid-crisis-11805269&data=02%7C01%7C%7C9a8c594e90fe46f5351008d73505e5f1%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637036171753768259&sdata=h0e83ODw8nKgJcSzeKL34oYVynvMjr6nZ4r4IUI8bC0%3D&reserved=0

JeremyJ

Hi Holly - I was on SSRI brintellix for about 6 months, initially it helped during a very difficult period. I decided to stop taking them following a visit to the psychiatrist, I asked how long would I be on them, 6 months, a year or the rest of my life? he replied maybe 6 months, or a year or the rest of your life. I just knew in that moment that I wanted to stop, for me the only way to heal is to feel. I did probably make one small mistake, I didn't taper whilst coming off so had some side effects. If I hadn't have met that particular psychiatrist I would probably still not know about CPTSD and that was and has been a game changer for me in terms of managing myself in better ways than I did before. Best wishes.

HollyGCat

@JeremyJ I have 4 years of high doses of AD/Anxiety and Sleeping Tabs...and Quetiapine (not even sure I can tell you what that one was for)..9 of these tablets a day. Think I’m going to struggle but, yes I think gradually reducing is probably the best plan. Hope you are doing well

JeremyJ

HollyGCat said:

@JeremyJ I have 4 years of high doses of AD/Anxiety and Sleeping Tabs...and Quetiapine (not even sure I can tell you what that one was for)..9 of these tablets a day. Think I’m going to struggle but, yes I think gradually reducing is probably the best plan. Hope you are doing well

It's a credit to you that you're able to post such insightful stuff whilst on all those meds - my mantra is just a day at a time with everything. I'm doing ok thanks, I'm trying a new emotional release technique at lunchtime, I'm not sure what's involved - I think it's aroma led! so will be interesting to see how that goes. 

HollyGCat

@JeremyJ   I think it's aroma led! so will be interesting to see how that goes. 

My psychotherapist sprays something when I am ‘absent’ in sessions on occasions. I bought some, it is a bit helpful on occasions.

Tbh I have a ‘I feel silly’ button that kicks in when she tries anything alternative.....I do try! Must really annoy her. 

Be interesting to know if you get anything from it.  

I need something to do! I’m sooooo bored. Doesn’t help. Never not worked and I actually hate it. Even when I had my daughter I went back as soon as I could. Now, I am it seems unemployable.  Can’t even get a charity to let me do voluntary work....

I’m rubbish at doing nothing. I would count paper clips!  Seems MH is seen as stupid, or lower, it’s infuriating. 

Some of the ‘professionals’ I come across in MH services would struggle to count the paper clips. 

I tried to keep hold of my job, but, they are so far behind I was pushed out. Retired at 45, when with a little knowledge and compassion I would have continued till I dropped to contribute to society. 

Keep in in touch as it really helps to not feel so voiceless . Good luck today

JeremyJ

Hi Holly - well it was ok! and very relaxing although I'm bit stressed now because I feel like I really smell of essential oils!! 'apparently' it continues to work after the session. I'm just taking it for what it is, smells are important and it's relaxing. I'm pretty open minding my therapist also uses 'smelling salts' during sessions. I've always found smells to be really significant - when I visit my biological mothers home (I found her after a long time) I really didn't like the smell in her home, I felt really uncomfortable.

I work for myself, so nobody can push me out! even if they'd like to! i know what you mean though, being busy is being present, concentrating though - that can be a challenge!

newborn

You made me laugh aloud with your comment on health professionals and paper clips.

Never met one, but wouldn't doubt your assessment!

Only you know what legitimate reason could ban you doing unpaid work.  It seems improbable there is absolutely nothing.   You  say you know  you  must get off medication and off old habits. 

There is a vast unmet need for those who can, or even who cannot,  count paperclips.   You have  a first rate brain,  so all you need do is lateral thinking.   

One thing that I long to see is matching up folk who may be too ill to take conventional  work, but even for half an hour now and then, and even from bed, can  still watch cctv footage. 

It could be sent as random chunks to people anywhere in the country (or the world).    Sifting through hours of tape to spot abuse in care homes,  or mental health  facilities,   or to  see the moment  a pickpocketing happened,   or animal  cruelty,   are tasks likely to not be done at all, simply because the ostensible safeguarding organisations cannot provide paid cctv film monitoring staff.


It is broke. Fix it.   Being ex-police should  be a foot in the door.   You would need to partner with ex-police technology geeks,  to devise the set up in a way to re-assure authorities  there was no way  to compromise or mis-use the  anonymised footage.  Then you would need  to find ways to recruit your homebound volunteer workforce. 

Physically or mentally disabled are one obvious source, but another overlooked group are carers who dare not leave their dependants unattended,  but who have times of housebound boredom when meaningful useful tasks would be welcome.   There are just ordinary unemployed,  too, getting disheartened and demotivated and risking depression by having  nothing  but computer games and t.v. day after day.  Old people,  too, get lonely,  isolated and downhearted by not being part of the community. 

That works  both ways. Older people might have  random needs for help,  as well as needs to contribute .  There won't be a charity or a social worker ready and able to assist if someone  needs to make a g.p. appointment at a surgery where the only realistic hope is to be on the g.p. doorstep and fight the receptionist (most of us are assertive on behalf of others, even when we don't stand up for ourselves).   Same if someone can't  access citizens advice, or is intimidated by the council.   Or has  nobody  to accompany  them to an arrogant  specialist.  They need advocates. 

Existing conveyor  belts provide advocates, but only for limited situations and exclusively for alcoholics, or strictly only for learning disabled,  or only for immigrants,  or whatever group gets funding.  There is a third of the population living  alone. Others can't get support from those they live with. Many have not a soul in the world  on their side.   If they break  a bone, who will visit them in hospital? Who will protect them? Who will bring the food they need?  Who will  fight their corner?

Plenty  of people who read Scope have bad experiences,  which could  be converted into invaluable experience.    

Volunteering their efforts on the phone, or online, or in person,  could change lives. For others, and for them.

By the way, in your police experience,  did you know that extreme abusive  behaviour of every kind in one's only home, from where there is no realistic  hope of escape,   has a free pass?   It happens if the abuser  is a sharer, a sub-landlord, a carer,  or if you are old or disabled  or both, and the desperate  need of a roof over your head  has forced you to take the desperate only option,  and live where you officially can't.   

Whatever  is  then done to you, the hidden homeless,   inside your only possible home, it is N O T domestic abuse.   Neither the council nor the domestic  violence charities, nor the Shelter spokesmen,  count the thousands/millions of housesharers and non-official tenants as existing at all.
 

dolfrog

HollyGCat said:

 
I need something to do! I’m sooooo bored.
Doesn’t help.
Never not worked and I actually hate it.
Even when I had my daughter I went back as soon as I could.
Now, I am it seems unemployable.  
Can’t even get a charity to let me do voluntary work....

I’m rubbish at doing nothing. I would count paper clips!  
Seems MH is seen as stupid, or lower, it’s infuriating. 

Some of the ‘professionals’ I come across in MH services would struggle to count the paper clips. 

I tried to keep hold of my job, but, they are so far behind I was pushed out.
Retired at 45, when with a little knowledge and compassion I would have continued till I dropped to contribute to society. 

Keep in in touch as it really helps to not feel so voiceless 

I am there as well, no support from ignorant and incompetent MH staff, especially local NHS audiologists, psychologists, and most speech and language (i have recent found one who is willing to listen and learn). They only want to hide their ignorance and massage their egos, avoiding paper clips which may suggest reading current international research papers regarding the issues they falsely claim to understand, and some fraudulently claim to be experts.

Unfortunately we have to try to educate these clowns which is very stressful as most are unwilling to listen to us and discuss the real issues, which is outside of their training and limited qualifications. 

I hope you feel better today and begin to find the understanding you need

HollyGCat

JeremyJ said:

Hi Holly - well it was ok! and very relaxing although I'm bit stressed now because I feel like I really smell of essential oils!! 

?? This is so funny! Do the paperwork today!!

newborn

Dolfrog I comprehend the difficulty of needing to educate someone as a preamble to attempting communication. 
It happens  to  disabled people,  carers, and many who have non-standard experience in life..   

Even if you have experienced being in the armed forces, or living in a remote isolated  place,  or, I suppose,  being  an extreme  fan of model railways,   there must be an instant relief  in finding one of 'your own kind',  therefore not needing to explain a whole starting base.

Following simple logic,  there's  no great problem in having a kidney specialist who has perfect kidneys, although she may be a better doctor if someone precious to her has suffered kidney problems,  or even if she herself  has experienced  some other condition putting her on the patient's side of the fence.

However,  there seems a logical  flaw inherent  in having professionals whose sole knowledge of mental health is having some extreme floridly disturbed 'specimens ' of patients,  effectively put in a cage to be watched and prodded.    The traditional tendency to arrogance must be exacerbated by the fact nobody can tell them they are wrong.   

If the kidney specialist keeps killing the patients,  it will  ( eventually) be noticed.    Whistleblowers will be sure to be hounded out, to protect professional solidarity,  but even so, the statistics will  (eventually) tell their story.

You are the expert  by experience, so what do you think......   could  anybody tell a mental health professional to change what  he does, even when he is 100% wrong, doing nothing but harm?.

JeremyJ

HollyGCat said:

JeremyJ said:

Hi Holly - well it was ok! and very relaxing although I'm bit stressed now because I feel like I really smell of essential oils!! 

?? This is so funny! Do the paperwork today!!

? ? ?  I really do smell too!

HollyGCat

dolfrog said 

I am there as well, no support from ignorant and incompetent MH staff, especially local NHS audiologists, psychologists, and most speech and language (i have recent found one who is willing to listen and learn). They only want to hide their ignorance and massage their egos, avoiding paper clips which may suggest reading current international research papers regarding the issues they falsely claim to understand, and some fraudulently claim to be experts.

Unfortunately we have to try to educate these clowns which is very stressful as most are unwilling to listen to us and discuss the real issues, which is outside of their training and limited qualifications. 

I hope you feel better today and begin to find the understanding you need.  @dolfrog Thanks, it’s like being a hamster on a wheel. How wrong is it we are all coming across the same ignorant attitudes. 

I am am astonished at some of the things I have heard.  

Any change has to start at the top. I think we have all learnt the hard way to be ‘fighters’ though it can sometimes take a toll on us, and we fall over for a while. I feel sure though, that we keep getting up. 

I have spent the last few days, writing to anyone and everyone to try and break some of the bureaucracy I am experiencing. 

Its exhausting and upsetting.

I agree with @newborn as well, that there is such a wealth of people who are being marginalised and it’s an absolute waste and what is available, misses many, in turn, those excluded become by no ‘real choice’ pushed outside society.

Newborn, if only my career opened doors, if anything it closes them.  I challenged their culture, and that makes me an outsider.   Their power and ignorance combined across public bodies, make a dangerous mix.

But, as long as I have breathe in my body, I will not ignore what I see as great injustice, it’s a reality that I have had to wake up and question many things I had steadfastly believed and been told. 

Unfortunately my concentration is as @JeremyJ alluded, affected.  

I’m on my soapbox, so will just say, thanks and I hope our clown challenging improves things for us, because we deserve no more or less than anyone else.  

dolfrog

newborn said:

You are the expert  by experience, so what do you think......   could  anybody tell a mental health professional to change what  he does, even when he is 100% wrong, doing nothing but harm?.

I am only a husband and parent who has been trying to help his wife and chilfrem who all share the same communication disability as me. 
I always knew I was different, from most others from the age of 5 years old, as I was not able to mix with other children at school as others did. There were a wide ranf=ge of other issues during the rest of my development and early adult years. It was only when our eldest son was eventually diagnosed as having Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) at the age of 10 years old after going through years of problems in the education system initially identified as dyslexic, and suspected of possible autism. The APD diagnosis was the resulted of him not matching the issues for autsm. He was one of the fist children to be diagnosed in the UK as having APD in the late 1990s, I was the first adult in the UK to be diagnosed as having APD. 
As I have since discovered from international research and over the last decade or more, the are 4 types of APD, which have been identified by different researchers and in different countries (USA, Australia, New Zealand etc) and currently the leading research is from Germany and some who collaborate as joint European research teams.
The problem is the careers needs of the professions who should be part of a multi - discipline diagnostic and support team Audiologists, Speech and Language, and Psychologists. If they were to all work as part of multi-discipline team, then the audiologists would have to learn how to assess, diagnose and explain how the human brain can have problems processing what the ears hear, explaining the 4 different types of complex issues and the possible symptoms. 
speech and Language would have to assess and explain hte problems that APD canh cause with regard to specific language impairment which some research has suggested is the same thing as APD, and due to this ASHA and USA speech and language are now marketing a new name Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) They also need to explain that APD is the main underlying cause of Mixed Expressive and Receptive Language Disorders (MERLD)  
Psychologists (especially educational psychologists) need to explain that the Temporal Type of APD, the brain having problems processing the gaps between sounds which can include the gaps between words in rapid speech, is the main underlying cognitive cause of Developmental Dyslexia (there are 3 cognitive subtypes of dyslexia- auditory, visual, and attentional), and that they should refer individuals who they identify as having the dyslexia symptom to an audiologist, optometrist, and or psychiatrist depending on the possible causes of the dyslexia symptom. Psychologists should also provide support for all the various types of APD which can cause low self esteme ,stress, anxiety, and depression. 

The most mentioned type of APD is Speech in Noise,having problems identifying a target sound when there are low levels of background noise , which is not a cause of dyslexia, This type of APD can get some support from FM systems, where the teacher, lecturer has a microphone and the recipient has a speaker placed in front of them so that the background noise is blotted out.  Another issue is that there is no cure for APD, where as some claim and sell various programs to support issues such as dyslexia and speech processing issues, even hearing aids, none of which work for us who have APD.

So as my GP keeps on telling me, I know more about my disability APD, than most he so called medical professionals, do, especially those who work for our local NHS Trust, and the local support agencies and charities. So my family and I are stuck with no support from these ignorant and incompetent so called support professionals, which all down to medical professional negligence. 

SurvivingTara

Many born in the late 70`s early 80s onward may not have awareness of why and how the medical model of health, is now administered by, `the gatekeepers of treatment` the GPs, doctors and psychiatrists etc. Or why they are treating the population the way they do, and why today many suffering individuals, are stuck without useful support and seem to be caught in a loop or catch 22 situation within services, or on disempowering drug treatment, and they feel confused and angry with treatments and professionals.

No, no one can tell a mental health professional to change what  they do, even when they are 100% wrong, doing nothing but harm, Newborn. Why?

It has always been the overall plan to arrive at this position in society and the NHS.  Yes, we will be angry and dismayed,  and ask why, but we are not supposed to be angry or ask why, because we were supposed to be quietened and suppressed by taking the medication. The plan for populations. I know its hard to comprehend and counterintuitive.

This is my experience of what went on in the 70`s and YES, it will be shocking to some people and it was to me at the time and is the reason why, I left the NHS as it is this inhumane culture and system now, (which I realised I could not change) which treats mental health and disability issues, including CPTSD, and trauma of any kind, mainly with a chemical or invasive treatment. This was the plan.

(It also must be acknowledged here that many individuals want to be on and remain on medication, for life, as it is easier and quicker, the contra indications don`t worry them as they will take another drug and they only want symptoms to disappear. They want to forget and don`t care if the body holds the score and problems will re emerge).

When in the NHS, in the 70`s I was  informed that I was not to look at the cause of ill health, and understanding a patient`s trauma or original suffering was forbidden, (it took too long and time was not available), as only medication was to be used. I also had to sign a document to say no other approach to care would be used in therapy, apart from allowing patients to knit, sew,  draw, and take medication.

Many of these patients wanted to confide in someone, all had either suffered trauma, child abuse, were veterans, or had worked in the police or fire services and been traumatized, and some had a disability ( eg speech, hearing or physical issues, were common) and been locked away.  All of their feelings and experiences had to be suppressed with medication and never investigated. Sadly in many areas it seems that everything warranted a medication and it appears to be the same today 2019.

So called Ignorant and incompetent MH staff, especially some CPN`s audiologists, psychologists,  speech and  NHS doctors know that to keep employment they must follow the medical model guidelines, or else they will not be employed.  They only want to hide their ignorance and massage their egos, Dolfrog says, and yes,  it`s a cover as to why they don`t engage in other valuable research and treatment, because they have to stay within guidelines, under the current legislation, authoritarian in approach or be struck off or disciplined.

Professionals in the NHS (and other legal care systems) are scared of losing their employment, the hidden agenda, conform and appeasement, when they meet us.  Their hands are tied, working within the medical model..

In the early 1970s in the UK, I worked in what was called an asylum, as head of occupational health, I believed I was there to facilitate healing. 

At a training day we were informed that “Care In The Community”, had been signalled, and it was supported by the government of the day.

All asylums were to be closed, charities and NHS had to work together to bring this change about smoothly because people were now to be treated in what was called a psychiatric unit, attached to a hospital,  in their home area.

The institutionalized, disabled and sectioned would live in town houses, and many derelict or struggling seaside B & Bs  were being bought by the NHS to provide town houses for these people.

It was said, “Care In The Community”, meant people were to be cared for in the community, (it sounded good), because the big pharmaceutical companies had discovered drugs which suppressed all symptoms experienced, (this didn`t sound good to me).

Also, at this training day in the 70`s we were told,  on a given date there would be a celebration and a signalling of the “Care In The Community”. 

That day came,  and we all stood at the locked big wrought iron gates, in front of the asylum. The mayor was there in all regalia, a small band, a local MP, the press and many asylum dignitaries.

The fanfare rose and fell, the mayor gave a speech and the manager of the asylum stepped forward, as the press prepared to scribble on their pads. He spoke,

“Today is the start of `Care in The Community,  I am going to unlock the gates, many are free to go  in and out, and those who have been sectioned or in voluntary care will live in town houses near their families.  The reason for this is, the pharmaceutical industry have discovered wonderful drugs that will help people and they can now be treated in the community”.

The manager opened the gates to the asylum and the press took photographs of patients walking out of them.

This was all a stage managed exercise to herald the inception of the new chemical coshes, for the pharmaceutical industry to suppress symptoms and  populations. It was going to be big business, and pharmaceutical companies have only one aim, profit. If you stop or reduce the medication your GP or specialist will frown, for as long as you take medication and are addicted, it is profit for the pharmaceutical companies and the NHS get a rake off.

After this period, early 70`s and it is natural to do this, everyone goes to their GP when they are suffering, and ask for help.  Apart from psychiatry ( e.g. psychiatrists are medically trained and can prescribe medication, a psychologist is not), CBT, quick 6 wks counselling or mindfulness courses, which can be accessed in some areas of the UK, drugs or invasive treatments,  are the only thing that a medical model of health can provide in psychiatric units.

Therefore, anyone entering the caring profession today follows the guidelines of the medical model. That is why they appear to be ignorant, and uneducated in certain areas, they are clinically following procedures and rules and doing their job to the best of their ability.

They are kept ignorant of certain research and methods to discover and treat the whole person, and the cause of the issue.  The presenting symptoms are alleviated.They are not bad, just following the law and guidelines of the NHS, re mental health issues.  To the frustration of the population who are awakening, realising they are having  only the symptoms treated, placed on drugs that are often addictive, have contra indications and dull the senses and cause one to be dysfunctional and in a fog for life.

More profit for the pharmaceutical companies, disempowerment for the population, who went for help and have a desire to get better and back to normal, and receive an explanation as to what is happening to them.

Today these care workers and professionals are trained within certain guidelines, (and they dare not break these rules or suggest anything alternative to a patient, outside the NHS, for they can be ostracized,   (we can`t educate them, their training won`t allow it. We are wasting our time, when we know the score and law. Anyway they should already be educated in theory and causes, if they are designated helping professionals), to work with, learn about and administer medications or invasive procedures defined by the medical model.

The ROOT CAUSE of anyone`s malady is not sought, it is immaterial to the medical model, as drugs will quieten you and get rid of symptoms quickly.  Outcomes and targets are sought.

Did your symptoms go? `Yes`. Outcome, and you are treated within care in the community, at home..

Holly G Cat said “ as long as I have breath in my body, I will not ignore what I see as great injustice. it’s a reality that I have had to wake up and question many things I had steadfastly believed and been told”. How wonderful to see the light, and become aware, it is needed, however it is dangerous though, because some in society do not want awareness, aware people are dangerous to the traditional controlled system (George Orwell,1984 system is upon us) and no it is not you on a soapbox Holly G Cat, you are telling it like  it is and how you experience it, that must never be suppressed !!!!

Dolfrog you say “you are ONLY a husband and parent who has been trying to help his wife and children who all share the same communication disability”. ONLY is the word that jumps out at me. You are valuable and such a support to your wife and children, who without your research and fortitude, to push through the dross of society and suppression of truth, the world would be a poorer place without you and your discovery.  You are NOT ONLY a husband and parent !!!!! You are much more....

Because many are awakening to `Man`s Inhumanity to Man`, and the lies and suppression of knowledge and alternatives to health and healing, it is why the complementary therapy and alternative treatment areas are growing because the population ARE awakening to all this and not liking the contra indications of the drugs, which kill more people than disease each year, (“Institutional Corruption of Pharmaceuticals and the Myth of Safe and Effective Drugs.” “About 2,460 people per week are estimated to die from drugs that were properly prescribed and  The NHS makes hundreds of millions of prescribing errors and mix-ups which contribute to as many as 22,300 deaths a year, according to a major report ).    

Also  many are awakening to the fact that the cause of their issue is being suppressed and not addressed. They are being left at home within care in the community, distressed or suicidal.

There are some  professionals  and scientists, however, who ethically can`t stay in a profession which is hurting people, who have emotional issues and experienced some sort of trauma and so are  leaving the medical model of health, ( which is good for infections, broken bones , accidents and emergencies) and the system, in the UK and America.

For example, Dr David Hamilton (scientist), Quantum Field Healing, How Your Mind Can Heal Your Body etc

Prof. Bruce Lipton, The Biology of Belief, The Honeymoon Effect,  The Wisdom of Your Cells , (not your genes or a diseased mind) etc

Alice Millar (psychologist), The Drama of Being A Child, Thou Shalt Not Be Aware, The Body Never Lies (professionals and society asked to cover up developmental trauma and abuse) etc

Just read The Body Keeps the Score, by Bessel van der Kolk,  Penguin Books.

Bessel van der Kolk is a psychiatrist,  and he, is another professional, who has, like many medically trained people  left mainstream practice because, he tells how he was trapped within a culture and system which was not given to looking at the whole person,  for a cause, why CPTSD, or treating  trauma through traumatology therapy  in for example, veterans, people in services like police, and adults who had experienced trauma,  abuse,   or those with disabilities, whose experience and condition traumatized them and  were experiencing bodily symptoms, fear and anxiety. 

Van der Kolk,  states he was required by law and oath to treat with drugs, chemicals to quell the symptoms, drugs which dampen hyperactive alarm systems and very often patients who were drugged, lost energy and sense of purpose, their imagination was affected, and they walked around in a fog in which they could barely function, there was no choice of treatment.

Van der Kolk left the system to work with Peter Levine, ( books Healing Trauma or In an Unspoken Voice, Waking The Tiger) and others to learn about the impact and manifestations of trauma-CPTSD and suffering and how it affects the brain, and energies are trapped within the body, giving rise to symptoms, which need releasing and the body balancing. 

Instead of always giving the chemical cosh, Van der Kolk, like many other alternative therapists says he is working to understand and treat the cause and look at trauma and the imprint left by that experience on mind, brain, and body. This imprint has ongoing consequences for how the human organism manages to survive in the present. Trauma results in a fundamental reorganization of the way mind and brain manage perceptions. It changes not only how we think and what we think about, but also our very capacity to think.

Alice Millar, a psychologist, also left the traditional way of working because she said, society via indoctrinated professionals was covering up the real cause of developmental trauma (CPTSD),  and further trauma in environments (the home and work).

Yes, the traumatized, abused or those with a disability want the symptoms to  diminish, they need empathic support and they want to be enabled to function once again within society. They also want compassionate understanding as to why they are in a fearful traumatized state, facilitation to learn coping skills, trauma - trapped in the body released, and to be heard.

Thus, by not acknowledging our feelings and that the events really happened and caused our bodily symptoms and exploring them in a safe space with a trusted supportive knowledgeable other, the healing journey to discovering our innate, good,  OK, capable self,  won`t start.  

Medication alters the neurons of the brain and suppresses feelings, functions, the self and traps memories of traumatic life events within the body, waiting to re surface at any time.

We need to be the change, now we are aware.

HollyGCat

So many thoughts @SurvivingTara
the comparable system of measured outcomes which both my husband and I have witnessed in public sector for a combined 74 years (health service/policing/civil service) employment. (He clocked up the most!)

I was so stunned by the clarity of your words, I woke him up to read it. 

Those outcomes being about ‘the organisations’, political gain and influence and so often not to benefit the people they are meant to serve.

I believe there is an influence that we can have, I believe it has to be channelled.

My experience is that to challenge and influence, no one listens unless the solution is given to them.

The fight against the suggested corruption of pharmaceutical influence on the NHS is whilst something I think we can add a voice to, is beyond our reach.  

But, there are I think ways we can influence politically. By making their support of a system which to me seems to be continued abuse, silencing of those who have already been pushed through a culture of tolerated abuse, socially wrong but quite clearly known, ignored and accepted.  Abuse of so many types.

Proactively targeting of those who carry a greater influence, those who feed the ministers and those who feed the commissioning and therefore the budget holders.

It is my firm belief that they will not without giving them the solution, listen.

So, your brilliant post has certainly influenced me, and what I ask, is what does, the compassionate ‘treatment’ for trauma injury look like? As their simple solution without an alternative, will be, stop prescribing tablets, without any alternative. 

They are outcome led, where is the research into trauma treatment?  Who are the UK’s leading experts? Who influences the purse holders? What measured outcome which all public funded organisations demand, be shown, what works? 

If the research is the starting point, who does it?  Is it already there? 

We cant change our history, we can though demand the silencing and abuse stops. Collectively we are not voiceless. One message, with an alternative, to the right people, with evidence based research, would be heard.

I’m not less traumatised by four years of tablets, I’m worse!

dolfrog

Hi @HollyGCatSurvivingTara 

Some research which you may find of some interest from NICE 
Post-traumatic stress disorder NICE guideline [NG116]Published date: December 2018
and at PubMed Post-traumatic stress disorder NICE Guideline, No. 116
and may be "ICD-11 PTSD and complex PTSD: structural validation using network analysis"  
and "Complex posttraumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) following captivity: a 24-year longitudinal study" 

JeremyJ

Great post Tara and others. Van der Kolk, like Walker, bradshaw
and milller are all game changers for me. I also think Edward Bullmore’s https://books.google.co.uk/books/about/The_Inflamed_Mind.html?id=feNVDwAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=kp_read_button&redir_esc=y The Inflamed mind is worth a read - poacher turned gamekeeper type of enlightenment, retrained from a GP to psychiatry, he describes how he was explaining chemical imbalances and depression to a patient, and the patient asked - how do you know? [about an imbalance in my brain chemistry] and he realised he or nobody knows that as its extremely difficult/impossible to test! It’s revealing and honest in that sense and his review of mental health treatment, it’s not really helpful in CPTSD terms other than no doubt inflammation is a bodily symptom of trauma - rather better treated with aspirin than anti-depressants! Best wishes today 

newborn

Thanks for posts and mentions.

Dolfrog thanks for breaking into paragraphs.  Please could you gild the lily by double spacing each text block, even  if it is only part way through your point?

Maybe triple space when you want to signal a new point?

You mentioned the trouble of noise confusion interfering with speech.   It isn't  confined to one medical condition.  The world's ageing population is with you in that!    The deaf charities will confirm that many or most have  some hearing loss, even if they deny it.   Difficulties in disentangling spoken words from noisy backgrounds is a routine part of onset of  partially reducing hearing. 

Maybe  by making  common cause, you might find a way at least to stop the music in shops and cafes (Proved  by research to drive away customers, yet continuing.  )   Lots of people and family groups are distressed  by anything imposed on their senses without  warning or consent. 

 Who would dare run up to an m.p. or a policeman and squirt a can of strong smelling air freshener or any scent, right in his face?   Or blast a foghorn in his ears?   The general public includes many  with allergy to scent, and many distressed  by needless noise.    Once,  a minister for something (I think possibly one of the Eagle sister m.ps,?) actually  took out a newspaper advert stating it is unlawful  discrimination to inflict avoidable noise.  Sadly,  she was  moved on, before any changes.

(For half a century or so the most  common complaints to BBC were that people cannot appreciate or comprehend BBC output, due to the prevalence of musac during speech.   In that time, it became unlawful under disability equality duty  for public services, and all providers, to fail to take all reasonable measures to ensure everyone can access their goods or services.     

In response,  BBC issued a standard response along the lines that their  sole concern is not law, not statutory  duty, but only the preferences of their staff, and that if producers like to superimpose music, it is up to them.    Steadily,  the musacal ketchup has been smeared over almost the entire output.   News and Sport and The Archers are virtually the only music-free zones left. David Attenborough and all nature shows are wrecked. ) 

dolfrog

Hi @newborn
My Auditory Processing Disorder is the underlying cognitive cause of my dyslexia symptom and my poor self organisational skills, which is why my wife is my carer. I use alternative font colours in my word processors to beak down paragraphs int what are for me more managable chunks.

and yes the human auditory system does begin to loose its ability to process sound in the aging process, which has been noted in Auditory Agonsia and Aphasia which are acquired issues due to brain damage, stroke, and atrophy (dementia). There are varuius type of dementia which can fo some start taking affect from the late 40s onwards, 

Speech in .Noise is one of the four types of Auditory Processing Disorder. having problems processing a target sound when there is low levels of background noise, as you described. research had identified that FM systems can help in some environments specifically classrooms and lecture theatres. 

Auditory Processing Disorder id a genetic issue which can run in families, and some children can acquire auditory processing disorders as a result of conditions such as Otitis Media (Glue Ear) and issues which can cause a lack of immunity to such issues such as Downs Syndrome.The main type of Auditory processing Disorder is the Temporal type,  the brain having problems processing the gaps between sounds, which can include the gaps between words in rapid speech, and is the main underlying cognitive cause of developmental dyslexia. This is a life long disability, for which there is no cure. 

Sensitivity to sound is Hyperacusis, and or Misaphonia which are part of what some call Sensory Processing Disorders, being over or under sensitive to various types of sensory input, which can be a problem for many who have ASD. 

Speech is a sound based communication system, which varies from one society to another. Those of us who have problems processing what our ears hear, have problems pressing soiund based communication including speech, and any visual notation of speech such as the written word. We can have poor auditory memories which can cause word recall problems when we try to use speech as a means of communication wit others, which is why I am almost house bound because others do no understand and accommodate my communication disability.

Hearing loss is about the ears having problems hearing the environmental sounds including speech. Auditory Processing Disorder is about the brain having problems processing what the ears hear. Two different conditions. Those who loose their hearing later in life may also have at the same time problems processing what their ears hear as part of the aging process. . All of my family, me included, have had Auditory Processing Disorder since birth, and we are used to being the victims of disability discrimination from others including so called medical professionals who do not want to understand our complex disability.
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I have  listed some of my PubMed research paper collections on my Wikipedia user page. You might like to have a look at the Invisible Disability sub section

newborn

Thanks dolfrog. Its fascinating and i will read it when i can.  I do comprehend that this unusual condition is different from routine ageing, and from deafness by injury or inheritance,  and from autism and ptsd and many other situations where people  don't want assault of any kind, but specifically by noise.

?Andy Rickell? wrote that the disabled  community misses it's power by splitting  not uniting, and that disabled and elderly have such an overlap of interest,  they really should unite.   

(Actually,  he shockingly disclosed an incident where the now defunct Age Concern had sent an overpaid young lady on their payroll to a meeting  with government ministers, which he was also waiting to go to. As they chatted, she  explained they had asked her to do their lobbying for them.  The u.k. basic state pension is the worlds worst,  two thirds qualify for extra benefits to bring them up to the breadline, yet do not claim. Instead,  they die of starvation or cold.  She openly declared she had no intention of doing the job of lobbying for them.  She declared she was young, and well paid,  so she didn't want the poorest pensioners kept alive, let alone raised up to the breadline.  It would come out of 'her' taxes, she said,  therefore she would use whatever persuasion and effort she could in order to achieve the opposite. )