PTSD Awareness
PTSD Awareness
By: Sarah Reno Baker
“Even in times of trauma, we
try to maintain a sense of normality until we no longer can. That, my friends,
is called surviving. Not healing. We never become whole again… we are
survivors. If you are here today… you are a survivor. But those of us who have
made it thru hell and are still standing?
We bare a different name: warriors.” ~Lori Goodwin
What people with posttraumatic
stress disorder (PSTD) need are love, compassion, understanding, and patience.
They do not want pity or to be deemed unfit in society.
National PTSD Awareness Day is
June 27th and June is PTSD Awareness month. The national awareness
day was designated by the United States Senate to bring greater awareness to
the issue of PTSD as the awareness month was designated by the National Center for
PTSD.
A mental health problem, PTSD
may occur after an individual has been exposed to a single or multiple
traumatic events. According to the National Institutes of Health risk factors
that increase a person’s risk for PTSD are, getting hurt, exposure to another
individual being hurt, or seeing a dead body. Other factors can include living
through traumas and dangerous events, childhood trauma, or feelings of
helplessness. The lack of support after a traumatic event can further increase
the risk of PTSD. Any added stress from pain and injury, the loss of one’s home
or job, and the added loss of a loved one can also increase the risk.
Understanding PTSD is comprehending that anyone that goes through natural
disasters such as an earthquake or tornado, a car wreck, terrorist attack,
sexual or physical assault, childhood physical or sexual abuse, and combat
exposure all contribute to the risk of PTSD.
I had the opportunity to
briefly interview two people with two very different traumatic experiences and
am both diagnosed with PTSD. The first interviewee is a veteran of war where
many people he was close to lost their lives. The second interviewee was victim
of sexual assault in her early pre-teen years. Ironically, both individuals
were diagnosed only a short five years ago.
This is their story of how they cope with PTSD:
Initial treatments for both
individuals were similar. The veteran of
war was removed from combat, was seen by a therapist, and given
antidepressants. Eventually leaving the military and not taking the medicine,
the veteran of war had good support. The interviewee expressed that his good
network of supporters kept him from going over the deep end. He tried counseling once again, but felt like
he was not going anywhere and stopped. He now has a couple of people he
confides in when he needs to express himself and says that is all he needs. He
stays busy at work and says that it is a lot easier this way. On days off he
keeps busy by participating in martial arts, working out, and hanging with a
friends or family. When those situations
are not possible, he keeps his hands and mind busy focusing on projects. He
states he has always been a quiet person, but this experience has made him more
reserved and less social. He is uncomfortable with crowds and fireworks scare
him. He often feels like he would like
to be left alone and in his comfort zone with his close knit friends and
family. “There is not a whole lot people can do; you can’t just make those
memories go away”. He is uncomfortable with the thought of people knowing he
has PTSD; he does not want pity, and does not want to be looked at
different. What this amazing veteran of
war says is that all people can do is be understanding.
The second interviewee and
victim of sexual assault were treated for her PTSD in the past five years
through cognitive behavioral therapy and talk therapy. She was not treated when
the traumatic experience took place, but now recognizes she dealt with other
problems. “The physical problems consist of sensitivity sexually, and
relationship problems consist of mistrust of men”. Through her more recent
therapy sessions she learned healthy ways to address her triggers and fears.
This survivor had to address a trigger when her perpetrator was released from
prison and lived only a mile away from her current residence. She is a strong
advocate for anyone who suffers from PTSD, the stand for awareness, legal
rights, resilience, and prevention. “It is a lifelong process to be a victim of
violent sexual assault; especially when it occurred at a pre-teen age. I
understand that I am a survivor now and not a victim still; however, the
emotions of fear, pain, hurt, anger, psychological triggers, nightmares,
flashbacks, and fear/anger when seeing my perpetrator; and physical problems
and relationship problems are a constant effort to work on.”
Just as every person is unique,
what people experience with PTSD is also unique. They are
survivors and warriors in their personal story, and I am thankful they felt
they could share their stories to bring awareness to others.
If you or someone you know is
dealing with PTSD, there are resources available. The following sites have a
wealth of information that a person can benefit from:
National
Institutes of Health
The
National Child Traumatic Stress Network
This
column is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or
psychological advice or treatment.
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