18/08/2020
PTSD awareness 🍂
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I want to talk a bit about PTSD or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. It’s a difficult topic for me to discuss as I’m sure it is for many others who suffer from it. But I’m trying to become more open to talking about it, which I think is important in reducing the stigma that is still very much surrounding this issue. ☁️
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My own experience of it was after 2 particularly traumatic incidences. I was diagnosed officially about 2 years ago now, and I’ve made (in my opinion) a lot of progress with it. I am one of the lucky ones however that I was able to get access to hypnotherapy as well as have a strong support network around me. Even so I’ve still experienced a lot of insensitive and uncaring...even triggering responses to it. Unfortunately one of my triggers is hospitals, which of course now I have to manage for antenatal appointments. And sadly I’ve already had hospital staff in the antenatal department shout at me and tell me “don’t give me that, it’s not a real thing!” after suffering a flashback. So yes, there really is a need for more awareness. 🥀
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PTSD can come on at any time. One thing I found was after these major trauma events happened it was like it opened the flood gates; all this other trauma throughout my life seemed to be jumping to the surface. It made doing anything so difficult. When flashbacks happen it’s not a case of overthinking (as I’ve been told to simply stop doing before), you actually get transported back in that situation and it spirals out of control. I’ve found myself stuck out in public or had to lock myself in a bathroom and hide till I could actually move or breath again. And after the flashback you don’t feel normal again for 2-3 days afterwards (which also makes it more likely another one will happen). Not to mention the severe night terrors every night which leaves you utterly drained and exhausted. PTSD can feel like you are unable to ever escape the trauma that happened to you. So it’s not surprising it can lead to su***de. I hate to say it but I struggled with these thoughts too for a long time when in the full grip of this disorder. 🎭
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Having said that, to those suffering right now...there is hope!🌷