I’m going to be honest- I have struggled with mental health issues for most of my life. Growing up, I was exposed to traumatic events and had to process a lot of difficult emotions. Eventually, these experiences culminated in me being diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
My PTSD symptoms manifested primarily as uncontrollable flashbacks and nightmares. For a long time, I didn’t even understand what was happening to me; I just felt like something wasn’t right and that I was constantly battling against some invisible force.
Fortunately, once I reached out for help, I was able to connect with a mental health specialist who helped me understand and manage my condition. She introduced me to various tools such as breathing exercises and grounding techniques which enabled me to control my triggers better and become more aware of when they were coming on.
It’s been quite the journey from where I started to where am now, but it’s been worth it. My PTSD is still present but the tools ensure that it no longer clouds my judgement or stops me from living an enriched life. Although there are still days when things feel overwhelming, it helps me to know that there is support out there for those struggling with similar issues.