How can someone cope with PTSD, insomnia, and hypervigilance?

Question

Hi doctor,

I am suffering from what I think is depression comorbid C-PTSD due to the emotional trauma I received from people whom I lived with for a year. Institutional betrayal because my problems were not addressed by superiors, infidelity and sexual harassment of a friend in the institution, who was the only support I had in such place, and betrayal of trust in confiding my psychological issue, which I believe to be PTSD. I also experienced ten months of insomnia and some three months of hypervigilance. Right now, I have flashbacks and memory triggers, being away, thankfully though sadly, from the institution I was in. I have no work right now and am financially zero because I am dysfunctional in some way, and my cognitive impairment is so evident I could not pass the basic cognitive assessment in the job. I failed to get in. Doctor, please help.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Long-term stress and traumatic experiences tend to cloud our thinking processes. You have been through a lot and have not taken care of yourself. I would suggest you talk to a therapist or a counselor. First, you must vent out and get past the traumatic experience; healing is an ongoing process. You can learn and use many exercises and techniques to help you get better control over your emotions and, thus, life. You need a therapist trained in cognitive behavioral therapy and or psychotherapy. They will help you learn how to get over these memories and also how to have control over your thoughts. I suggest you start with journaling and maintain a mood journal. It will help you a little with venting out and also give more clarity to the therapist on what bothers you the most.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Take care of yourself.