My name is Chris and I’m living with PTSD. It’s an incredibly isolating condition, one where you feel almost completely alone. And that isolation isn’t just because of the shame and stigma associated with it – there are many aspects of it that are difficult to explain to those who don’t suffer from it.
I was diagnosed after an awful tragedy occurred in my life – one I wish I could forget, but can never seem to shake from my memory. The event left me feeling broken and scared for a long time, and ached inside like nothing else I had ever felt before. It slowly became harder and harder to get up out of bed each morning and hold down a job, to feel any kind of motivation or hope for the future. That’s when I knew something was seriously wrong.
It took courage to reach out for help, but the steps I’ve taken since then have changed my life for the better in ways I never dreamed. With support from professionals as well as friends and family, I am gradually learning how to manage my PTSD and live a fulfilling life despite its presence in my day-to-day routine.
It hasn’t been easy but thankfully there are plenty of resources available now for people dealing with PTSD, including treatment options like exposure therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy as well as support groups that provide a safe space to talk about our experiences with others who understand what we’re going through. Whenever possible, connecting with nature has also been hugely beneficial in helping me find some peace in moments of chaos.
Ultimately, no matter how dark things get or how hopeful they appear - we must all remember that we are strong enough to get through this together by relying on ourselves along with the support from our loved ones.