It has been a long journey to come to terms with my own struggles with mental health. For as long as I can remember, I have dealt with symptoms of PTSD that originated from an involuntary hospitalization. It’s hard for me to talk about this trauma because it left such a deep scar on my mental wellbeing, even after all this time.
I don’t like anyone knowing about the details of what happened during that time, not even myself. It feels like the whole incident isn’t real unless someone points out how painful and restrictive it was for me; how much it took away from my ability to control my own life in the midst of so much struggle. Even now I still grapple with feelings of anxiety, guilt, and fear that were conjured by those events.
The lifelong effects of PTSD are difficult to cope with but I actively work toward managing it in healthier ways every single day. Through therapy, self-care techniques, and support from friends and family members, I am learning how to take back control over my life and my emotions. I’m beginning to understand that healing is possible when you focus on taking one small step at a time towards understanding yourself better.