An Untreated Case

by nouriguess   Jun 25, 2020


Dear therapist,

When you ask me
about the nightmares,
I make up less terrorizing ones.
It makes me feel less helpless.
I don't want you
to resort to more medication.

The first time you explained
to me what I actually have,
I did the math, and knew I was broken.
You said
there is hope. I saw
a road rage.

PTSD stands for
panicking through simple days,
past torturing, sieging, dragging
you,
pills to swallow daily:
Prozac, Trazodone, Sertraline, Desyrel,
predicting the sudden death

of people you love.

It didn't make me stronger,
it made me numb,
cold, empty, distant, paranoid,
guilty, ashamed, angry,
dead.

Whatever doesn't kill you,
kills you
just in ways you hadn't expected.

Dear therapist,
I'm sure I'll disappoint you
if I say I feel like
your time is wasted on me,
and that
it should be dedicated to
someone savable.

I may be devastated,
but I'm always honest to myself.

I'm a hopeless case.
I stopped questioning my existence.
I know now I don't exist anymore.

4


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Latest Comments

  • 3 years ago

    by Poet on the Piano

    I am glad you write through this, when there are bad days that take everything from you. Being able to do so and express that pain is important. This was incredibly personal and heart-breaking, and I can only continue to offer my love and support, always. The "lost cause" lines made my heart ache, because I think that is when we are our worst critics, when we don't have hope for ourselves. And it's not necessarily about becoming "un-broken" or suddenly "savable" or "cured". Sometimes, all we can do is try and just exist for the time being. Until we can do more. There should be no shame or apologies or fear of disappointing there... you are worth the time and effort and care of others. Even though I'm sure it's frustrating in ways I cannot even fathom. I also related to the "what doesn't kill you" line, because so often I hear, oh, it will make one stronger... but it doesn't mean the pain goes away. And there are times we don't feel strong, even when others tell us we are warriors, you know?

    Take care, continually proud of you <3

  • 3 years ago

    by Anthony

    I don’t pretend to know what you have been through, but looking at your country of residence I can draw some conclusions from my own personal experiences. PTSD has taken some of the strongest men, and women, I have ever known. They all tell me I have to learn to live with it, which is probably the most disheartening thing I have ever heard, because it implies that it can’t be beat. You still exist, just with scars that can’t be seen. You are savable, but by your own hand. Though no one can fix you, they can stand by your side as you fix yourself. You are stronger than you think you are, after all... you got up this morning. You survived the reality, the nightmares are the scar. Take it one step at a time, and your next step is easier than you think; Live.

    • 3 years ago

      by nouriguess

      Thank you for the comment. I'm usually more acceptable of my mental issues, and more convinced I'll heal in time. But there are draining days that suck up all my power and self-worth, hence I write such poems.
      I'm fine, though. Still fighting! :)

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