Can one make a complete recovery from life traumas?

Question

I had a hard childhood and unforutnate events happen even in my early 20s. I got kicked out of my household, had to support myself and go to school and do bills, on top of which I also went bankrupt, suffered with anorexia (as a male) go figure, It was a weird control issue, I just had alot to deal with and ultimately at the end, finished college, found a partner, and now am happy and successful, however, I developed anxiety/panic attacks, asthma, and went to the ER/doctor about 20 times in the last two years. I feel like my health mental and physical is shot and I feel like I'm really 80 and not 26.

I feel like my life's misfortuntes have impacted me in a big way, and I'm scared. I don't want to die or be screwed up for the rest of my life, but I dont' know how else to explain my deteriorating health or mental issues, since the doctors can't really seem to "find" anything.

Is it possible to get over all this fully?

Can life traumas affect your immune system so drastically?

I want to bounce back and I exercize, eat healthy, and take vitamins, but I still can't seem to bounce back at all, and my attitude, no matter how many episodes of Barney and friends one will make me watch, is still bitter and cynical.

I feel like I'm out of my own control. :-(

What happened to me?

Answer 1

Start doing things for the pure joy of doing them. Start singing along with the radio. Go for a walk in the rain. Save up for a shirt that you have been wanting and a snack then go to the mall and save that store for last. Window shop at the rest of them and take a break and people watch. Then go buy "The Shirt" and go home and fix yourself a nice dinner. I am telling you this from experience. I was abused a few times when I was five and then actually raped when I was 11 by my mom's boyfriend and the abuse continued for two more years. I have made bad decisions all of my life. I just started taking control of my life in the last couple of years. What you have to realize is that life can get nasty and we are all human. Why put a bandaid on if you don't want to get better. You have to make up your mind to start life fresh. Clean the slate and make life into what you want it. It's not going to happen overnight and no one is going to do it for you but you are worth it. Good Luck..

Answer 2

Recovering from the trauma of life, you need to give yourself a little breathing room from your past and find a way to better cope with your history.

I have a suggestion for this: Involve yourself in helping others through their bad times. Help somewhere where you can make at least a small positive difference in someone's life. They say that time is the best medicine and most often that is true, but by losing ourselves in helping others we find both a new perspective in dealing with our own hurts and satisfaction in helping others.

We have returning veterans that have serious physical and emotional trauma that you might consider working with, contact a V.A. hospital near you, or go to your nearest hospital that works with children and coordinate with the hospital staff in helping some of these children work through their problems. I had opportunity some years ago spending time at a hospital at St. John's Newfoundland working with children with disabilities. I spent perhaps four hours a week and found it extremely rewarding. It was an experience I will never forget.

If after trying this for a short while you still experience panic attacks and other disabling problems, you will need to consider professional therapy to discover those things that are most troubling to you. Taking both suggestions together, I cannot image anything that you cannot overcome. I wish for you a more peaceful journey. Best of luck.

Answer 3

Why does it have to be "below the waist"?! Couldn't I be paralyzed above the waist instead? Like most men I don't use anything above the neck anyway so that means all I'm losing use of is my arms. According to my wife as far as what I do around the house that wouldn't matter except where the remote is concerned. My kids lost that last week and I've been just sitting in my recliner watching what ever comes on or yelling at them to change it. So the answer is sure why not? Especially for the bald eagle! We middle age men identify very strongly with the bald eagle. Almost as strongly as with the sloth. OK I'm ready as soon as I get me one of those helmets that can hold two cans of beer and has the long sipping straw built in.

Answer 4

Hi ! I'm older than you; a business editor in Bangalore, India. I have gone through several bouts of acute clinical depression; treated with psycho therapy plus anti depressive medication. Right now am diagnosed with a condition bordering `manic depression kept in control with newer medication. Several times a week, I feel my life is worthless and feel like ending it Then I go back to religion and spirituality and remind myself that God created each of us with a purpose. And that bad times don't go on forever. Seek psychiatric help and please avoid any kind of narcotics/ street drugs. Their temporary relief could make your conidition worse. Do you belong to a church ? Do start going if you can. At lease to pray and mediate alone, if not to attend a formal service/sermon. Find supportive friends and avoid those who pass on their bad vibes. These are what I'm trying too. Good Luck; pray you recover soon.

Answer 5

If you can shift your focus from reliving the traumas, right down to the emotions, and focus on what you learned from them and how the enabled you to grow and become who you are right now. Life is for Living in the "Present Moment" and when you "think" of the past you "become" the past. Surrender all that and "BE" who you are "NOW". You have only mis-identified yourself with the "you" that does not exist anymore. Your mental issues are not "yours". You have also mis-identified yourself with the thoughts coming into your mind! Hanging-on is much more painful that Letting-Go!

Answer 6

Give it time. Try not to stress.