Post Traumatic Stress

[kimmi158]

Hi Brenda,
I also have PTS.I have had it for about 6 years.My children also have it.
I am not a doc but my opinion is that it can make Ic worse from the stress.
I know when I have flash backs and nightmares my flares are worse.
If you ever need to talk about it you can pm me anytime.
God Bless,
Kim

[BrendaD]

I'm just wondering how many IC'ers also suffer with Post Traumatic Stress (PTS)and whether there could be a connection to IC? PTS is most commonly experienced right after the event, but can also have a delayed onset (i.e. be experienced many years later -- as mine was). Here is a general description of PTS. Let me know what you think.

What is Post Traumetic Stress Disorder? The diagnosis of PTSD requires two things:
1) The person experienced, witnessed, or was confronted with an event or events that involved actual or threatened death or serious injury, or a threat to the physical integrity of self or others.
2) The person's response involved intense fear, helplessness, or horror.

Three main symptoms:
1) Re-experiencing of the traumatic event -- Intrusive distressing recollections of the event; Flashbacks; Nightmares; Exaggerated emotional and physical reactions to triggers that remind the person of the event.
2) Avoidance and emotional numbing.
3) Increased arousal -- Difficulty sleeping; irritability, outbursts of anger; Difficulty concentrating; Hypervigilance; An exaggerated startle response.