I am a healthcare worker. I’ve been in this profession for many years and it’s become my passion, so when the pandemic started and the demand for care was so high, I willingly stepped up to help. The unimaginable workload, both emotionally and physically, began to take its toll on me. I started having flashbacks, nightmares, and heightened anxiety.
I was eventually diagnosed with PTSD – something I never expected to experience as a healthcare worker. It can be extremely isolating managing a mental health condition like this while working tirelessly in a demanding professional setting because of the ‘on duty’ mentality that is deeply ingrained in our culture. Nevertheless, I have been trying to lean into resiliency techniques like yoga and meditation which have helped me manage my symptoms more effectively.
Finding space to talk openly about my experiences has also been instrumental for me in understanding what triggers my PTSD symptoms and how best to support myself through difficult moments at work or home. All of this has meant that while managing PTSD can feel daunting at times, it doesn’t have to be an insurmountable challenge.