Nursing and PTSD?

kakamegamama · Oct 3, 2011

Short answer---yes. Long answer----if one has PTSD, (assuming diagnosis of), it is important for that person to go to therapy to work through certain issues of PTSD. And, if depression results, to have therapy provided for that as well. The effects of PTSD can be long term, and triggers can occur when the one with PTSD least expects it. Those are reasons for therapy and "working through" the PTSD. Eventually, it can get better, but there can still be flare-ups along the way.

jeaniekadinee · Oct 3, 2011

Short answer---yes. Long answer----if one has PTSD, (assuming diagnosis of), it is important for that person to go to therapy to work through certain issues of PTSD. And, if depression results, to have therapy provided for that as well. The effects of PTSD can be long term, and triggers can occur when the one with PTSD least expects it. Those are reasons for therapy and "working through" the PTSD. Eventually, it can get better, but there can still be flare-ups along the way.

Thanks for your reply. I have PTSD and I'm currently in therapy and all of that. I just want to make sure that it won't stop me from being a nurse. I did try to go into the military and could not enlist because of it, which, is a bummer.

leslie :-D · Oct 3, 2011

as the pp stated, it's a journey that takes yrs to stabilize...depending on the severity of your ptsd.

i was dx'd in 2004 with traumatic ptsd, and it has created more disruption than i ever care to go through again.

i'm on meds that specifically helps with triggers and flashbacks,(a big help), times of the yr that i tend to get triggered, and when i am, i know how to handle it.

but if i ever got triggered at work, i know i shouldn't be nursing.

talk it over with your therapist, to see if s/he feels you are ready for this challenge.

there's a lot you will see in nursing, and it's not pretty.

only you truly know how in control you feel.

wishing you the very best.

leslie