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Suggest Treatment For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

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Posted on Wed, 12 Nov 2014
Question: Hi. This is really hard for me to talk about. I spent eight months living with a man in Los Angeles who sexually took advantage of me and put me in dangerous situations. FYI I am from Iowa but I moved to Los Angeles for treatment for PTSD and I stayed in the city because I became really close with my therapists. This man was the only person I knew and even though he hurt me I grew attached to him. After I was raped, I developed some really strange habits that are very embarrassing to talk about. I went through severe psychological trauma, and I need help.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
PTSD

Detailed Answer:
Hey,
Its really OK to talk about it. What you have suffered through is a major time trauma, and you need to release the tension by talking it out and discussing with your psychotherapists. The strange habits that you have developed as a result of the trauma is the body's reaction to release the tension. First of all you need to move away from the source of trauma. You have a dependent personality and that is why you have been attached to that offender even though he offended you.
First thing is you move away from him once and for all. You can report him if you want but its up to you. You need to take control of your life which you haven't done so far.
You seem to be afraid that if you are left alone, you won't be able to survive which is not true. Human beings are born with great survival potentials. Just put yourself in a position and you can do the hardest thing that you may not even think of doing at this point. So trust yourself more than anyone else. Take Control!!!
Now on to your real problem of PTSD, I can see you have already been using escitalopram( lexapro) which is an SSRI and on top of that you have also used a short acting atypical antipsychotic quetiapine ( Seroquel). For medications, all I would say is may be you want to change escitalopram (Lexapro) to flouxetine. Research is more in favour of flouxetine thats why and please keep using these medications, if you stop one day now its going to get worse. Please use them atleast for a year. Please go see a psychiatrist about it!!!!
Next thing as I see you have been to some therapists for psychotherapy. Cognitive behavioural therapy along with Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing(EMDR) is very helpful in PTSD.
Please know any kind of substance use and alcohol is a complete "NO" from now on. If you keep on using them, you can never think of a better future.
Hey its OK to fall in life, to be torn apart, its only telling to you to get yourself together and to rise up like a XXXXXXX from ashes and be stronger than you ever were. What would have been life if not full of troubles!!! Try to find light in the dark
Dr. Khan




Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (2 hours later)
Thanks for the answer. I will take into consideration what you said. I have a long history of abuse, sexual and emotional. I have suffered from anorexia, body dysmorphic, ocd, encopresis, could these be a result of trauma? I am thinking about going into treatment. Thanks
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (18 hours later)
Brief Answer:
take care!!!

Detailed Answer:
May be its time for you to get yourself together and rise up more like a strong woman which you are !!!! Best of luck with your treatment. Yes many problems can put along together to mess your life just the same way you can make little things together to make your life as beautiful as it ever can be. Its your time now to work on it. Thank you. Best of luck for your future.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2012

Answered : 3613 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Brief Answer: PTSD Detailed Answer: Hey, Its really OK to talk about it. What you have suffered through is a major time trauma, and you need to release the tension by talking it out and discussing with your psychotherapists. The strange habits that you have developed as a result of the trauma is the body's reaction to release the tension. First of all you need to move away from the source of trauma. You have a dependent personality and that is why you have been attached to that offender even though he offended you. First thing is you move away from him once and for all. You can report him if you want but its up to you. You need to take control of your life which you haven't done so far. You seem to be afraid that if you are left alone, you won't be able to survive which is not true. Human beings are born with great survival potentials. Just put yourself in a position and you can do the hardest thing that you may not even think of doing at this point. So trust yourself more than anyone else. Take Control!!! Now on to your real problem of PTSD, I can see you have already been using escitalopram( lexapro) which is an SSRI and on top of that you have also used a short acting atypical antipsychotic quetiapine ( Seroquel). For medications, all I would say is may be you want to change escitalopram (Lexapro) to flouxetine. Research is more in favour of flouxetine thats why and please keep using these medications, if you stop one day now its going to get worse. Please use them atleast for a year. Please go see a psychiatrist about it!!!! Next thing as I see you have been to some therapists for psychotherapy. Cognitive behavioural therapy along with Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing(EMDR) is very helpful in PTSD. Please know any kind of substance use and alcohol is a complete "NO" from now on. If you keep on using them, you can never think of a better future. Hey its OK to fall in life, to be torn apart, its only telling to you to get yourself together and to rise up like a XXXXXXX from ashes and be stronger than you ever were. What would have been life if not full of troubles!!! Try to find light in the dark Dr. Khan