Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Counseling taught me many things. However, one basic rule needed to be followed. Rule #1 Stop lying, especially to yourself. That’s it. Stop it. My teenagers brought me up short and started my truth campaign before counseling. They asked me why I lied all the time. I of course denied the allegation. I asked them…
I started working at a university art department before I had cancer. I took a drawing class that semester. I was given special permission to miss more than 3 days of class. Thankfully a fellow student was willing to come to my house and tell me what was happening in class. However, I didn’t take…
If you ran a marathon, you would rest after a big race. Thanksgiving and other holidays are emotional equivalents of marathons. Plan down time. Evaluate the positive as well as any negative. Gratitude for what is makes all the difference. Blessings more numerous than butterflies.
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…
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…
Every once in a while I come across a very challenging article. I am going to share my perspective on each of these. Stupid Phrases for People in Crisis http://communicatingacrossboundariesblog.com/2015/09/28/stupid-phrases-for-people-in-crisis/ I use some of these phrases…I don’t use others. I’m going to explore them from my perspective. Please, remember this is my understanding from my experience. …
Debates rage about PTSD and mental illness. Some say it is not an illness. Some say that they don’t want to be labeled mentally ill. Illness: a condition of being unhealthy in your body or mind : a specific condition that prevents your body or mind from working normally : a sickness or disease…
Emotions are often wished a way… I wish I wasn’t sad. I wish I wasn’t angry. I wish I could control my emotions. Sadly, some wishes are fulfilled until no emotions are felt any more. They have a psychology word for it dissociation. It is extremely unhealthy. It is grey and nothing. I fenced myself…
List from PTSD SUPPORT AND RECOVERY: “Things People with PTSD Would Like You To Know PTSD can happen to anybody We can’t just “let it go.” We find it hard to trust people We didn’t ask for PTSD and we are trying our best It affects the entire family It causes a physiological change in…
PTSD - Accepting, Coping, Thriving 