Thread by @ibdgirl76

1) Listening to Sullivan say PTSD shouldn't be treated with benzos. I know my experience is just anecdotal, but here goes: I experienced severe childhood trauma that lasted until I was 14 and then went through the criminal court system that ended when I was 19. When my kids were

2) about the same age I was when abuse began, I started having symptoms later dx as C-PTSD. I went to therapy, which was truly brutal. Great counselor but difficult to work through. My counselor sent me to see a Psychiatrist, who gave me an anti-depressant and ativan...

3) Had it not been for ativan there is no way I could have gone through therapy. It allowed me to sleep and function in order to work through therapy. The meds did their job, and contrary to what Sullivan says, they didn't numb any pain, but allowed me to work through pain..

4) It took a couple of years to work through therapy to get to where triggers didn't have as much power, nightmares and flashbacks lessened. Guess what happened? I initiated a taper off of Ativan. I went from 5 mg/day at the worst of it to taking them prn...

5) There are certain times of year that always trigger nightmares and flashbacks. I used to be able to take ativan as needed during those times. A few years ago I was made to choose b/n ativan and opioid. Now I suffer during that time of year and live in fear of panic attacks..

6) If I didn't have ativan when I first experienced C-PTSD symptoms there is no way I would even be here right now. I def wouldn't have been able to successfully work through it in therapy. It scares me that this is the new philosophy. I normally don't get quite this personal...

7) on SM. But, our health care system needs to understand we are people. We need to be treated as individuals. Blanket statements from Lembke that PTSD isn't even a real condition or Sullivan that PTSD should never be treated with benzos will lead to deaths. I fully believe that.

8) If any of you are struggling with PTSD from childhood trauma and need to talk to someone who understands, please reach out. I am not qualified to give you counseling, but I can understand. If it's true that most CPP's have experienced childhood trauma, then we need to help...

9) those like this instead of appearing to punish us. The way it is now, patients can't be honest with their doctors. If it were 2022 instead of 2012 when I sought treatment, I 100% believe I'd not only not be offered benzos but would be cut off from all access to opioids. #PTSD