I hope everyone is having a Happy Thanksgiving both here in the United States and any where else that celebrates a day of gratitude. The celebration started with the Pilgrims and the Indians helping each other through a tough growing season and working together. Sadly the relationship between immigrants and natives went down hill after…
I was told regularly that my fears were ridiculous, unwarranted, and unreasonable. Then I went into counseling and remembered why I had my fears, they were a reasonable reaction to horrifying events. I watched over the years a tendency to demonize certain emotions….Fear is at the top of the naughty list. I read the book…
Ever heard the phase, “Need to know” as a basis if you need to hear information? I like watching detective and cop shows and sometimes hear this phrase. The phrase usually means that information is being kept from someone else for confidentiality reasons. However, if you have PTSD you need to know about PTSD. It…
I share my experience with PTSD with dissociation at a severe level because I want to let others know they are not alone. I have no military experience. My combat zone was called home and neighborhood. The area I lived was considered a “good” neighborhood with plenty of doctors, lawyers and teachers. The worse abuser…
Depression is one of the symptoms of PTSD. I realized after several years of counseling I use depression to put a damper on the anger generated by the hurt, fear and frustration I experience every night in my nightmares. If I am depressed and tired enough, I won’t have nightmares. A break of sorts. I…
Holidays are a time when many people have triggers. Emotions run high so does anxiety and tempers. Preventive maintenance makes a difference. Put your boundaries in place. Tell trusted people what you need to do better during the holidays. Building your team when you are under less stress so that they are there for you…
The holiday season is arriving sadly in some families due to stresses and triggers tempers seem to flare too. I clipped this from a Facebook page. I think I need to put this one on my brain to remember where ever I go. I found the link to the author’s page, please visit, great ideas…
Hopelessness is precursor to suicide. That moment in time when nothing good seems possible. You wake up again in pain and darkness knowing the same thing will happen tomorrow. When I first heard that gratitude was the antidote to hopelessness it was said in such away that I felt hurt. A glib off the cuff,…
Sorrow, sadness, grief expressed and felt for those that suffer through out the world. It is OK to grieve together. Yes, symptoms of PTSD such as anxiety, overwhelming emotions, and nightmares, to name a few, may increase during times of tragedy. I do not believe that grieving with France, lessens or negates, the sorrow caused…
I share about thriving. I share about my progress. When I hit another PTSD flare up, I feel guilty writing about how great things can become. Unfortunately, setbacks, triggers, and times of struggling happen again and again. I learned this past few months that hitting a rough patch doesn’t mean I’m not progressing. I got…
PTSD - Accepting, Coping, Thriving 