PTSD and medication

[Healing_Me]

After a suicide attempt I was sent to a crisis home and then to talk to my school's counselor and get put on meds. She thought I might have PTSD from being raped years ago. I never thought of that or even thought that it affected my life so much. I thought I was getting over it, buut looking back on it, it does make sense. I have so much fear and get so anxious aroiund any guy that it has prevented a lot of healthy relationships. Anyone have any experience with this sort of thing? PTSD or depression medication?

[Batman.]

Well though I don't have experience with PTSD personally, I've heard that the best course of action is therapy/counseling, rather than medication.

Let me put it this way... Medication is to correct a chemical imbalance, but if you're traumatized and have PTSD because of such, that is a mental thing that can be managed, or even be completely rid of. But, since it's a mental hurdle, and has nothing to do with your brain's chemistry, the idea of taking medication seems silly, ESPECIALLY without steady therapy/counseling.

[Healing_Me]

I am seeing a counselor here, she's only an intern so she'll be gone by May. While I prefer someone more permanent I don't like the full-time counselor very much. Also I think the medication was for the depression and suicidal thoughts/actions. As of right now it is a requirement for me to stay at my school, at least until things get under control. While it does help with keeping the constant thoughts at bay I end up with chest pains for half an hour after taking it and when exercising which is extremely frustrating since I'm a long-distance runner.

[Batman.]

If your medication is affecting your breathing, you should look into a new medication.

Nonetheless, you wanted the PTSD portion addressed, and I addressed such. So, if you DO have PTSD, you're probably going to need to take on a full-time counselor or therapist, whether you like it or not, to get over this.

I'm not trying to be mean, I'm being honest. The treatment for PTSD is usually JUST therapy/counseling, and no medications at all. I'm not saying this must be the case for you, but I'm obviously emphasizing the importance of talking to a professional to deal with this more than anything.