Posttraumatic stress regarding the medical community.

[crookedsmile]

Hello.  I have been a lurker here for a year or more and have found some valuable information here (in addition to work with my own personal counselor) to help me with my personal journey of recovery (from incest as a child and physical abuse in my first marriage).  I am well on my way in the recovery process and applaud any and all courageous souls who undertake the recovery process and wish you all well.

I have a close friend who is suffering from PTSD related to trauma he suffered from surgeries/medical care gone wrong in the past.  He has recently been diagnosed with cancer and is in need of treatment from the medical community, but is so afraid of the process involved in dealing with the medical community, that he is in dire need of PTSD counseling to get him through the cancer treatment. 

If any of you know of or have had a good experience with a PTSD specialist in the Seattle, Washington, area, please reply to this.  My friend needs to make important life-altering decisions in the near future, and his PTSD issues need to be addressed, at least in some part, before he can make the best decisions regarding his treatment. 

Please reply if you can help.  Thank you. 

[Stormchild]

I don't know if I can, but I will try. May I disclose the details from your posting as you have written them (cut and paste)? I am on the east coast but know someone in the Seattle area who might be able to give a referral. Please PM me.

[crookedsmile]

Please do.  I appreciate it very much.  It would be a god send.  Thank you.

[Stormchild]

I'll have to reach my contact at their workplace, so it'll be a few days before you hear back from me. Meanwhile I encourage you to pursue any other leads that turn up here; I know that time is of the essence.

I will send you a Private Message through this board when I have heard back.

[chutzbagirl]

Hi crookedsmile,

I wish your friend healing on all fronts.  I'm glad Stormchild is helping you - she's a gem.

chutzbagirl

[crookedsmile]

Thank you so much.  My friend is reading this, too.  Healing thoughts and positive energy are so welcomed and appreciated deeply.  Will keep you all posted regarding his progress. 

[October]

Thank you so much.  My friend is reading this, too.  Healing thoughts and positive energy are so welcomed and appreciated deeply.  Will keep you all posted regarding his progress. 

There is a support site that I visit, with ptsd survivors of various kinds.  It might be a useful place to visit, if your friend doesn't already know of it.

http://www.bein.com/trauma/

[crookedsmile]

Thank you, October.  I just looked around at that site and it looks promising for further education and info for my friend.  There's a lot for him to learn and that seems like a very good place to start.  I checked on him this morning and although he is still extremely fearful, he is in a little bit better frame of mind.  Thanks again.

[October]

Thank you, October.  I just looked around at that site and it looks promising for further education and info for my friend.  There's a lot for him to learn and that seems like a very good place to start.  I checked on him this morning and although he is still extremely fearful, he is in a little bit better frame of mind.  Thanks again.

The message boards there are very supportive too, and lots of very knowlegeable, caring people.

Good luck with finding the help you need.