PTSD [Post Traumatic Stress Disorder] does not only affect military personnel, the clue is in the words. “Traumatic Stress”

This may come as a surprise to many, it certainly did to me when my doctor said I was suffering from it 3 yrs ago. How can that be I asked, I’ve never been to war. He then reminded me that I had lived through my own traumatic wars or battles for year’s and at some point, the stress had to come out.

PTSD affects different people in different ways, a lot of sufferers don’t display any symptoms for long periods, there has to be a trigger, usually, a sudden memory triggered by an actual live event no matter how unrelated.

In seconds one can be transported to the actual events, that’s how powerful our minds are. From there on the race to the bottom is at full speed and many times only medication can help. There is no stigma attached to anyone who seeks help in this way. PTSD takes many prisoners.

Counselling helps but only in that you know how to respond to such attacks. No amount of counselling can erase the memory of the trauma.

Accepting you suffer from PTSD is half the battle and nothing to be ashamed of, there are many out there who don’t even know they suffer from PTSD and try to battle on, some take to alcohol, some to drugs to drown out the inner pain of past trauma.

Abuse as a child or an adult whether male or female are two very common triggers. Sadly many don’t even realise they are being abused and when they eventually do fear sets in, the fear of not knowing what to do, where or who to turn to.

We all have a responsibility to watch out for each other and see the signs. The signs are always there, we just don’t want to see them!

A hug can say a thousand words!