Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is something I unfortunately have experience with in my life. It’s a hard reality to face, but it doesn’t need to define who you are or limit the things you can do.
When I was younger, I didn’t really understand how a traumatic experience could linger for years after the event took place. I just thought that with time and age, wounds would heal on their own. That’s not always the case though, and unfortunately I found this out the hard way.
I started to have constant flashbacks, feelings of anxiety and fear and uncontrolled crying spells. My day-to-day wasn’t normal anymore; it took effort to just make it through the day. Going to therapy was one of the best decisions I ever made for myself because it gave me tools for dealing with these episodes as they came up - whether it was taking deep breaths when my heart was racing or staying in the moment when faced with a flashback.
It’s been years since my diagnosis, and although there are still challenges sometimes, life has gotten much better. Learning how to be mindful of your feelings is key in this process, which isn’t easy but is part of getting back on track with your life. Reaching out for support from friends and family or from mental health professionals can help immensely as well – don’t shy away from help if you need it!
No matter what you’re going through, know that you are not alone in this journey and there will be brighter days ahead!