How long does it take to recover from PTSD?

Question

I have been diagnosed with PTSD... the panic fear anxiety is enormous. The aggro, violence and intimidation that put me here is only half a step away. the nightmares cause sleeplessness and fear of sleepinbg.... how long before im normal again?

Answer 1

It doesn't necessarily "go away." With counseling, treatment, and time, the symptoms can be reduced to the point they don't interfere in daily life. It is useful to talk to a doctor, counselor, religious leader, etc. Don't just ignore it, and don't expect it to disappear on its own! There are treatments and medications that can help.

(It took me over a year to stop having nightmares every night I slept. A year of counseling, support from family and friends, and medication. 8 years later it no longer affects my daily life. Don't give up.)

Answer 2

Do not listen to the gentleman above. You cannot develop PTSD and then have it be gone in six months. It doesn't work like that.

I work daily with vets that have ptsd. It never goes away fully, you just learn a better easier way to deal with it. Main point is staying in the moment and not back in the past. Months of therapy in a group setting and one on one has done wonders for these vets who for years keep reliving the same thing over and over again. You will begin to see that you don't have to forget or forgive, you just need to learn how to get past and move on. Not let it be the anchor that holds you down. If I were you I would find a LCSW or therapist in your area or at your local mental health to help you with your journey. You will get better but only by moving on not ignoring.

Answer 3

You can be "in recovery" from PTSD, but it will never go away. You'll never be the person you were before, but you can be a new person. Depression and anxiety can be managed with therapy and possibly medication, but with PTSD, therapy is the big component. With therapy, you could begin recovery in maybe 6 months or more. It's going to take a while to get everything under control, so you've got to give yourself time and not expect too much. PTSD is hard, but it can be managed and lived with.

Answer 4

I went through PTSD.... and it was probably worse than what you are experiencing. I'm serious, bro.

It went away.... after six months.

It was a living nightmare. But it went away.

Answer 5

Thats the whole point. Without treatment, you will never be normal. I suggest EMDR as a treatment modality, but I don't know if it's available where you are. You could be totally normal in a few months!