Symptoms checklist

Symptoms checklist
L

LostnHell

Registrant
This has probably been discussed before, maybe not.
I think in some ways "symptom checklists" can be somewhat misleading or dangerous perhaps ? I have two books on SA. I've seen on of those recommended here so I assume it's a good. At the same time, particularly when one is searching for answers and may not remember events the check lists can lead to that syndrome of self diagnosis.

As an example in one of the books it has "fear of dentist" / "lack of dental hygiene" as a symptom. Yet this isn't necessarily such an uncommon thing. Many people do not enjoy going to a dentist. This is one example.

LNH
 
Many times when bumping into part of myself, I wonder which of my reactions is due to the abuse and which is just because of my personality. I don't want to change who I am, but only those reactions that are unhealthy - and I guess it doesn't matter if it were from the abuse or not. It does help to know if the reactions have a start from the abuse.

I guess I'm not answering your post. But yes, I think self diagnosis can be misleading and vague symptoms can be too vague - and I can't see all my patterns all at once. I think it's all of the patterns together that give the whole picture. If I was having a hard time recollecting a memory, the fear of a dentist would not be enough for me. But if for another it were enough then the gut is speaking the truth.

That one thing may also be enough to trigger and jar other memories and associations that are present but may be more painful (and therefore unrecognized or denied). I'm still discovering the effects of the abuse in ways I feel or do things - even little things.
 
LNH - What book are you looking at? I've read several but don't recall seeing such a checklist. Haven't been to the dentist in 15 years, or more, by the way. Last time I was there got a tooth pulled without the benefit of anesthesia, I figured that was why I never went back....John
 
I have "Abused Boys" by Mic Hunter, and
Repressed Memories by Renee Fredrickson. I know the dental one comes from the later. However the Mic Hunter book has a checklist in there as well (if memory serves me) that can also be vague and non-SA related.

LNH
 
I read part of Abused Boys but skipped to the survivor accounts too quickly without reading a lot of the beginning. Big mistake too, I ended up being too triggered to get through much of the survivor accounts. I just pulled it out again and will give it a second look. Thanks.
 
Ah! we did do this before, and I think it would be helpful to see it again. I think every time we see this one, we are re-assured that we are not alone... Similarities

However, if you read that one, you need to read this as well. It covers the positive similarities... Similarities- Redux...
 
Thank you for the links. I read with interest the similarities and then glanced over the "positive" similarities. I'm not sure those are for me yet. Still good to see :)

It's funny cause I slept alone for quite some time and had "some" fear of the dark. However I've been married now and we've been together (living together) for 10 years. There were a few nights though when she was out of town for business travel. On those nights I had a high amount of fear, felt there were people in the house and stayed awake as long as I could checking under the bed, looking around corners , etc.

At the same time, I've travelled quite a bit on business and never experienced the same fears as I did when I was at "home". Funny stuff huh.

LNH
 
LNH.
I have "Abused Boys" by Mic Hunter
Click to expand...
That's a great book for survivors. It was the first one I got specifically for CSA. It helped me a lot.

I tried to stay away from self-diagnosis, but I still did some. Turned out to be wrong, and the things I understood the least turned out to be the ones affecting me the most. Probably something I should learn about denial or being too close to the problem or some such in there somewhere.

Brushing my teeth still triggered me not long ago, so I can understand survivors giving up on dentists.
At the same time, I've travelled quite a bit on business and never experienced the same fears as I did when I was at "home". Funny stuff huh.
Click to expand...
How much does "home" figure in what you suffered? I used to check doors and windows every time I went past them, every time I woke up, every time I checked on a child, etc. It's gotten a lot better since I started working on the abuse.

It takes work that takes time, but it does get better.

Thanks,

Joe
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top