PTSD

I don't know if you like me thought someone had to go through war to suffer from PTSD - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Perhaps it's just when we as a public starting hearing about this disease was when our servicemen returned from combat and the demons came with them The term PTSD started being used in the late 70's/early 80's ... 

Actually more than 50% of us will experience trauma sometime in our lives yet not all trauma leads to PTSD.  Here are various factors of a traumatic event that can lead to PTSD:

The intensity of the trauma

Being hurt or losing a loved one

Being physically close to the traumatic event

Feeling you were not in control

Having a lack of support after the event

It is a disease which can be treated but not completely cured. The sufferer learns coping skills as the disease's symptoms are triggered. If you were in combat triggers might include a simple slam of a door/ a car back fire/a plane flying overhead. The sufferer is hypervigilant never sitting with a back to the door, needing a full view of a room, etc...

So why my interest/ mention of PTSD? Well, I have a confession to make...

I was in the passenger seat and Natureman was driving.

Two years ago, some may remember, Natureman and I were in a rollover car accident after being rear ended by a teenaged texter. I've  always said we were lucky to have been able to walk away from that accident with just stitches... But the truth for me is I will always carry the scars from that day besides the one on my stitched up finger. You see PTSD has become part of my daily life. I have to cope with PTSD every time I get in a car/ anticipate a car trip or even see broken glass. 

There are numerous symptoms/signs of the disease. I definitely have 7 of these, 8 possibly, hence the diagnosis by a professional therapist whom I see to learn to implement coping skills. 


   - Feeling upset by things that 
    remind you of what
    happened...

Having nightmares, vivid memories, or flashbacks of the event that make you feel like it’s happening all over again

Feeling emotionally cut off from others

Feeling numb or losing interest in things you used to care about

Becoming depressed

Thinking that you are always in danger

Feeling anxious, jittery, or irritated

Experiencing a sense of panic that something bad is about to happen

Having difficulty sleeping

Having trouble keeping your mind on one thing

Having a hard time relating to and getting along with your spouse, family, or friends

 I felt this was important to share so you realize it's not just our servicemen that are coping but many others suffer from PTSD.

7- 8% of the population will have PTSD at some point in their lives.

About 5.2 million adults have PTSD during a given year. This is only a small portion of those who have gone through a trauma.

Women are more likely than men to develop PTSD. About 10% of women develop PTSD sometime in their lives compared with 5% of men.

So if you and I happen to be riding together in a car and I start zoning out/ counting signs/ changing the subject to cope with a trigger, you'll understand. A big hint is if I ask to drive since I really don't like driving that much. Now you'll know if I get weird about who's driving. If I am tired, it's accentuated. Poor Natureman has to deal with a serious back seat driver being in the front seat all the time next to him. I have learned a lot about 'mindfulness' and as long as I can implement, I'm on board... For as much as I love where I live, I want to have the choice and ability to feel safe leaving the End of the Rainbow Valley...