ptsd
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder; The storm after the storm.
PTSD - The Truth About It
*** TRIGGER WARNING *** Given the circumstances that were absolutely beyond my control, I did my absolute best in a situation that was a no-win situation, at an emergency incident that was chaotic and caused by somebody else's morally wrong decision and senseless actions. That decision ultimately, very tragically, very traumatically, in a very graphic and gruesome way, took the life of an innocent person. That's how I feel...now...but for far too many years, they were not the feelings that dominated my thoughts.
By Rob Leathen6 years ago in Psyche
The nightmare of July 4th
I'm writing this a bit late, as you've probably noticed it's not July 4th anymore. But I have a very good reason for this. You see I have PTSD and no I'm not a veteran. There's this stigma that PTSD is a veteran's illness and that others don't have the right to claim it. At least that has been my experience. People seem to try and either downplay mental illness or gatekeep it as though it's meant only for a select few. Forgive my french but that's hogwash.
By Krysta Minor6 years ago in Psyche
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder:
My name is Ashley. Today, I am a 23-year-old wife with 2 border collies and 1 black cat. I have a good job that allows me to support my husband. At the same time, he is in college to be a physical therapist assistant. Money is tight, and there is stress, but we have a roof over our heads and food on our table. I am content.
By Ashley Weinbrecht-Morris 6 years ago in Psyche
PTSD The 10 Keys To My Success
I, like so many 1st responders have been burdened, or gifted depending on your perspective, with PTSD and depression from a career of firefighting. I have been challenged to navigate this whole PTSD recovery process and have had some success. There are still many areas and aspects that I need to work on and address but I am moving forward which is always a good thing. While I’m not where I want to be, nor where I need to be I’m sure glad I’m not where I was. Everybody's mental health journey is unique to them as is their traumas, their therapy and recovery process, a fact I need to continually remind myself of. I've thought a lot about why I’m where I am in my mental health journey and believe the following things have directly contributed to that.
By Rob Leathen6 years ago in Psyche
The sad truths
Along with love and learning how to live a good life I came to a few sad truths about my own thought process existence and way of life. Some that I know a lot of people could agree with. While others would more than disagree but persecute the people who do have to live like this. This story is more of my understanding not the worlds view. So once again I am not a professional, I'm just someone who has lived.
By Chyanne Myers6 years ago in Psyche
Out Of Focus Puzzle Approach To Dealing With My PTSD Symptoms
PTSD is a mental health challenge that plagues many 1st responders and I was no different. 27 years of firefighting had left me battling it and depression burdening me with many of the common problematic symptoms that tend to come along with PTSD. There were intrusive symptoms, avoidance symptoms, alterations in cognition and mood and arousal and reactivity type symptoms.
By Rob Leathen6 years ago in Psyche
The Safe Face of the Waves
The hot autumn days had relinquished their hold on the sun begrudgingly. At 5 pm the dried out, burnt orange of the pine trees were still visible in the glacially receding sunlight. The shimmering heat waves rising off the coils of black asphalt collided with the cool wind coming down the mountain, following the solid wall of rock carrying with it the scent of wild flowers growing on the other side in a distant valley. Only the elements were alive and moving in the early evening heat. All the living creatures were silent except for the steady clicking sound made by the grasshoppers as they rustled through the tall, dried grass on the side of the road and one other.
By Steve B Howard6 years ago in Psyche
What's An EMDR Session Like
What’s it like using EMDR in a therapy session to deal with a problematic incident? My therapy session starts like every other previous therapy session, with idle chat with my therapist about how my previous week was. The conversation has nothing to do at all with any of my previous incidents I have responded to and not even about the current things we’re working on. Regardless of the topic of conversation I immediately feel at ease and comfortable, a feeling that comes from being in this office with my therapist and at this welcoming judgement free clinic, my safe place. It’s a feeling I look forward to as I travel to my appointment even though I know how my session will end.
By Rob Leathen6 years ago in Psyche
