I am new to ptsd

 So I got diagnosed today from my therapist as having post traumatic stress disorder. There were underlying issues i had that i did not deal with in my past that caused me to give me anxiety in situations and then a traumatic event happened two years ago that caused me to go into a depression for a year. I am on lexapro and lunesta to help me with my anxiety and lunesta to sleep. I am still unable to sleep on my own. I feel so relieved to know i am finally diagnosed after 6 months of therapy. I no longer am depressed. I was just wondering if anyone here has tips on how do you cope with ptsd? I have some things on how i deal with the anxiety aspect of my ptsd. If you have anything to add please do. I would like to eliminate my anxiety to a point where i wont feel threatened or scaried in situations anymore.

I was molested from my step-uncle when i was 9 and emotional abused by my dad for 16 years. I refuse to go to some family gatherings because my uncle is there and i will not let him near my children. My dad and I are on better terms and he has calmed down but the yelling and swearing from anyone around me makes me feel threatened,alert and scaried even when it is not meant towards me. I am seeing a therapist so I am hoping to deal with my anxiety better and to not think of the abuse I have endured.

Want to be normal.... Welcome to healing well. You'll find this to be such a wonderful 'family' .... I have been helped soooo much by this forum...
I suffer from complex PTSD.... which just means that there wasn't just one event like a car accident, or hurricane or one thing that lead to trauma... but years of abuse .
At the moment I can't offer much help as I am in the throws of major nightmares, flashbacks, panic attacks, intrusive memories and depression.... I haven't been such a mess in a long time... but I know that this too shall pass.
If you check my thread called : does anyone else suffer from PTSD except Buddha and I ... Kitt has suggested a very good forum especially for PTSD sufferers.... I have registered with them and will see how I do.... so far I am still in what they call "moderation'... meaning that my posts are not visible at this time... they are being read and monitored to make sure that I am not just a perpetrator looking for new victims, or gratification from reading all these traumatic posts.... I think it is a good idea...
But you will also find a lot of support here ... this family is very caring, supportive and amazing at offering advice and getting us through the worst of days.
They are my lifeline... I've come to love them all... I haven't posted a lot lately because I feel my advice might not be very good considering.... but my thoughts and prayers are with all of you always.
Healing prayers to you as well.
Mary