06/27/2023
Wise words from the next generation…I’m so lucky to have this gem of a girl in my life… 💎
“In honor of PTSD Awareness Day, I wanted to write about what its like living with someone who has PTSD.
I don’t think anyone can truly understand PTSD, unless they have it. I get a good glimpse of what it’s like. My Mom has this condition from a car wreck she was in, long ago. (I lost my very good friend and the sweet young man we met that evening, who agreed to drive all 6 of us to a greek mixer) You never know what will trigger it, (panic responses, adrenaline flushes). But it’s always when we are in the car (occurred in the year 2000, symptoms can persist for decades.)
Maybe my Dad is a bit slow to come to a stop, in a split second that can bring her back. (intrusive thoughts, (body’s defense mechanisms occur, fight, flight or freeze or flash backs) I can see the fear in her eyes and it truly makes me so sad.
It’s not only the actual condition she has to deal with, but also the guilt that comes after. (Shame cycle) Sometimes she feels guilty for yelling at my Dad when it’s not even her fault. (Survivor’s guilt was present for approx 10 years as well).
These things are not light things to deal with, they are real problems that people struggle with & you may never have to know, what it’s like. “Have patience and empathy for people, because you may not even know that they are struggling.” ~ Olivia Kephart (14 years old).