 |
|
|
|
|
May 24th, 2011
01:27 PM ET
Could I have PTSD from being bullied?Every weekday, a CNNHealth expert doctor answers a viewer question. On Tuesdays, it's Dr. Charles Raison, an associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Emory University, and an expert in the mind-body connection for health. Asked by Sue from Canada I have been harassed for many years at work due to the fact I am considered a disabled person. I can't do some jobs because I don't have the strength or endurance. People taunted me, saying stuff like saying I was a hypochondriac. They made me do work I couldn't physically do, and I'm harassed almost on a daily basis. During this time, I developed major depression, and last year I needed time off from work because of it. I feel I have some signs of PTSD because I can't work in certain areas of the plant I work in. I started cutting two years ago to deal with the stress and getting suicidal thoughts, which I still deal with at this time. I am getting counseling, and I am taking medication for my depression and my ADHD. I think of the teenagers who have killed themselves because of bullying, and I understand how they felt. That is how I feel. I now work more in an area where people treat me better, but I can't forget the fact that some of my co-workers drove me to have suicidal thoughts and cutting. I have been with this company for 26 years. I was told to forget about it since they are treating me better, but I just can't get past the hell they put me through day in and day out. Could I have PTSD or complex PTSD? Dear Sue, I feel for what you went through. I'm glad you are in a better place now, but I also completely understand how hard it can be to let go of old hurts, even when holding onto them damages us far more than the people who caused us the pain. I was the victim of a terrible bully when I was a small child, and the effects of this experience have never completely left me. To this day, I overreact whenever anyone tries to bully me in even the subtlest ways, because I was so terrorized as a child. And I'm not the only one who suffered. Recently, I saw an old friend from Germany who lived in our town as an exchange student 35 years ago and who had been repeatedly beaten up by the same bully for being a little bit different. I hadn't seen my old German buddy in 20 years, and the first thing he wanted to tell me was how much he still hated the bully after all these years. When dealing with a bullying situation, there are two essential things to be done. You've already accomplished the first of these, which is to make the bullying stop - either by removing yourself or by getting the bully or bullies removed. The second step is more difficult, and that involves getting over the experience emotionally, either by finding the strength to understand and in some way forgive the bully (or bullies) or by getting the experience into a place in your mind and heart where it no longer interferes with your daily life. Not knowing you, I can't make specific recommendations for how to proceed in regards to the second step, but let me make a couple of general comments. First, it is very hard to forgive people without the offenders recognizing their wrongdoing, which is often not possible. In my experience, some type of spiritual practice is often the best way to begin the hard task of forgiving, not so much for the other person but for your own peace of mind. Second, I am glad you are in counseling. I strongly recommend that you focus specifically on the bullying situation in your therapeutic work, even if it means going over and over things in detail. I have used this approach very successfully in adults who were experiencing PTSD symptoms as a result of bullying. Finally, although it is difficult, try not to beat yourself up over the fact that others have bullied you. Recognize that the shame induced by bullying is one of the most potent mental poisons a human can swallow, so don't be hard on yourself about the fact that you are struggling with this issue. My German buddy has led armed convoys into Afghanistan but still wrestles with rage and terror over a bully from the schoolyard days. You are not alone in your struggle.
« Previous entryHuman Factor – A life reclaimed in tiny steps
|
  About this blog
Get a behind-the-scenes look at the latest stories from CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Senior Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen and the CNN Medical Unit producers. They'll share news and views on health and medical trends - info that will help you take better care of yourself and the people you love.
 |
|
|
|
https://thesisacloud.com/ – thesis search phd thesis writing help writing thesis paper п»їthesis
Thanks again for sharing a wonderful list. I was wondering u did not mention the most sought after terminology used in all the blog commenting articles.
https://independentmodeldaisy.com
https://thesisacloud.com/ – thesisacloud.com thesis consulting thesisacloud.com thesis express
https://thesiswritingtob.com/ – thesiswritingtob.com thesis paper writing thesiswritingtob.com thesis binding service
does canada sell generic vardenafil https://vegavardenafil.com/ buy vardenafil
buy cialis online canadian https://canadacialisstore.com/ canadian pharmacy for cialis
ed medications injectable https://alprostadildrugs.com/ alprostadil cream
canadian customs pills vitamins https://canadapillstorex.com/ canadian pills online
viagra vs cialis vs levitra reviews http://uslevitraanna.com/ viagra cialis levitra for sale
safest and most reliable pharmacy to buy cialis https://cileve.com/ cialis (lillys)
sildenafil vardenafil tadalafil http://boxtadafil.com/ what is cialis tadalafil used for
Arcoxia http://onlinecanda21.com/ Zebeta
Keflex https://uspharmus.com/ Duricef
tadalafil structure http://boxtadafil.com/ is tadalafil illegal
tadalafil 40 https://elitadalafill.com/ generic tadalafil 40 mg
aarp approved canadian online pharmacies https://canadianeve21.com/ best 10 online canadian pharmacies
Mentax http://uspharmus.com/ online pharmacy no prescription
how do you spell viagra https://gensitecil.com/ viagra vs levitra
buy cialis overnight shipping https://asciled.com/ viagra cialis from germany
can i buy sildenafil over the counter in uk https://eunicesildenafilcitrate.com/ sildenafil generic nz
levitra us https://uslevitraanna.com/ where to buy levitra in canada
generic cialis http://cileve.com/ cialis 10mg canada
Dostinex http://onlinecanda21.com/ Cialis Oral Jelly
cialis buy onilne https://asciled.com/ 20mg cialis
Zovirax http://canadianeve21.com/ online pharmacy no prescription needed
buy priligy usa priligy tablets uk
viagra vs birth control insurance coverage http://gensitecil.com/ – viagra single packs commercial alternative for viagra
order cialis no prescription http://cileve.com/ cialis reviews photos
levitra strengths https://uslevitraanna.com/ difference between viagra cialis and levitra
canadian pharmacies ed pills https://canadapillstorex.com/ best canadian mail order pharmacies for diet pills
cialis canadian pharmacy http://onlinecanda21.com/ Meclizine
erectile issues in your 40s https://canadaerectiledysfunctionpills.com/ coupons for erectile dysfunction
online pharmacy without a prescription https://uspharmus.com/ – canadian pharmacies shipping to usa canadian pharmacies-247
cialis doesn\'t work http://asciled.com/ cheap cialis from australia
best online pharmacies no prescription https://canadianeve21.com/ Coversyl
cialis kaufen https://cileve.com/ – no prescription canadian cialis where to get the best price on cialis
online medicine shopping http://xlnpharmacy.com/ pharmacy price comparison
cialis en espanol http://rcialisgl.com/ cialis generika china
viagra pill picture https://jokviagra.com/ – new viagra commercials does the government pay for viagra
vietnamese viagra 5 foods http://jokviagra.com/ viagra logo
best online pet pharmacy cheapest pharmacy online pharmacy no presc uk
generic cialis 200 mg https://cialisee.com/ – cialis no prescription buy cialis c5
chloroquine side effects https://chloroquineorigin.com/ chloroquinolone
viagra name http://loxviagra.com/ canadian generic viagra
does viagra lower your heart rate http://llviagra.com/ – cheapest place to buy viagra uk can my doctor prescribe viagra
cialis with out a prescription http://ucialisdas.com/ taking cialis and viagra together
cialis no script http://cialisee.com/ – cialis coupon buy cialis no prescription uk
Avapro best 10 online canadian pharmacies Cordarone
prescription for cialis purchase https://rcialisgl.com/ cialis generic cheap prices
usa pharmacy https://pharmacylo.com/ reliable canadian online pharmacy