Saturday Sanity Check! The week has come to an end. How are you keeping?

SIDE NOTE: I am posting this on Friday afternoon as I will be taking tomorrow off as a mental health day. TIA💋🍋

I feel like a one legged man in an ass kicking contest on 3 wheeled roller skates.

Albeit, granted the past 17 days of my life have been brought to you by Anxiety we have now moved on to the PTSD phase. Sleep, cry, lose my mind, drink some water, repeat…

Welcome to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Before you proceed to ask which one… I’m a 5 time platinum award winning performing artist.

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Let’s 🌮 about it!

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‘I thought PTSD only applies to military personnel and veterans…”

WRONG. It’s a human condition, not a employment requirement. There are classifications that are more commonly diagnosed in Service Members, especially those of us who intimately understand all the places sand can get stuck during a ‘Fun Run’.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

PTSD is a chemical imbalance caused in the brain by extreme stress.

It can happen to anyone, especially those who experience an intense, often life-threatening, event. PTSD differs from acute stress disorder in that the experiences are more long-term and will usually disturb daily life. An estimated 7.7 million Americans have suffered or are suffering from PTSD and another eight percent of the population will eventually develop the disorder. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the DSM-5, defines PTSD as an anxiety disorder triggered by exposure to actual death, the threat of death, serious injury and/or sexual violation. Symptoms can appear as soon as the episode ends or even years later. PTSD is a multidimensional disorder with many different causes and outcomes. Research has begun to explore the idea of five different subcategories that require different treatment methods.

Normal Stress Response

Normal stress response is what occurs before PTSD begins. However, it does not always lead up to the full-blown disorder. Events like accidents, injuries, illnesses, surgeries and other sources of unreasonable amounts of tension and stress can all lead to this response. Typically, normal stress response can be effectively managed with the support of loved ones, peers and individual or group therapy sessions.

Acute Stress Disorder

Acute stress disorder, while not the same as PTSD, can occur in people who have been exposed to what is or what feels like a life-threatening event. Natural disasters, loss of loved ones, loss of a job or risk of death are all stressors that can trigger acute stress disorder. If left untreated, acute stress disorder may actually develop into PTSD.Acute stress disorder can be treated through individual and group therapy, medication and intensive treatments designed by a psychiatrist.

Uncomplicated PTSD

Uncomplicated PTSD is linked to one major traumatic event, versus multiple events, and is the easiest form of PTSD to treat. Symptoms of uncomplicated PTSD include: avoidance of trauma reminders, nightmares, flashbacks to the event, irritability, mood changes and changes in relationships. Uncomplicated PTSD can be treated through therapy, medication or a combination of both.

Complex PTSD

Complex PTSD is the opposite of uncomplicated PTSD. It is caused by multiple traumatic events, not just one. Complex PTSD is common in abuse or domestic violence cases, repeated exposure to war or community violence, or sudden loss. While they share the same symptoms, treatment of complex PTSD is a little more intense than uncomplicated PTSD. Individuals with complex PTSD can be diagnosed with borderline or antisocial personality disorder or dissociative disorders. They exhibit behavioral issues, such as impulsivity, aggression, substance abuse or sexual impulsivity. They can also exhibit extreme emotional issues, such as intense rage, depression or panic.

Comorbid PTSD (PTSD-C)

Comorbid PTSD is a blanket term for co-occurring disorders. It is applied when a person has more than one mental health concern, often coupled with substance abuse issues. Comorbid PTSD is extremely common, as many people suffer from more than one condition at a time. Best results are achieved when both the commingling mental health condition and the comorbid PTSD are treated at the same time. Many people who suffer from PTSD try to treat it on their own. This can include self-medication and other destructive behaviors. Using drugs or alcohol as a way to numb the pain will only make things worse and prolong treatment.

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About as clear as glass? I was too…

… when I got diagnosed and had no idea what that fancy C stood for. It actually wasn’t until much later in my therapy sessions that the realization was quickly made, I had PTSD before I even thought about joining the military. All the Government did was offer me the opportunity at the bonus stage. They wanted to see if Sonic could get all the points.

More importantly than the laundry list of psychological awards I have, is how it affects those I love. Especially when your partner has never experienced a full blown episode before. It may be one of the hardest experiences to verbally communicate, especially when you are fighting the poison your mind is pouring.

What’s it like to live with PTSD?

Simply put… most of the time feel pressured, tense, and controlled. My episodes and symptoms can make a loved one feel like he is living in a war zone or in constant threat of danger. Interacting with others, especially those with prior traumatic experiences, can sometimes lead the other person to have some of the same feelings of having been through trauma.

How does PTSD affect daily life?

For the most part it doesn’t, unless I have an event or episode. Reliving the traumatic events through nightmares and flashbacks is fucking terrifying. I constantly experience feelings of isolation, irritability and guilt. I also have consistent problems sleeping, such as insomnia, and find concentrating difficult.

Are you able to work?

Yes. Most individuals with PTSD are still able to work. Although we may be extremely uncomfortable in traditional roles, there are a few career paths that can be a positive for us.

Here are five of the best jobs I have found for those living with PTSD who want to make a smooth transition back into social situations.

• Walk or Pet Sit Dogs. Working with animals can be relaxing and can greatly assist with rehabilitation after a traumatic event. … 
• Work With Horses. … 
• Tutor. … 
• Counsel. … 
• Cook.

Is PTSD Permanent?

The course of the illness varies. Some people recover within 6 months, while others have symptoms that last much longer. In lifetime achievement head cases like me, the condition can become chronic.

Are there things you intentionally avoid?

FUCK YES.
All day every day.
I make a large active effort to avoid reminders. Like places, people, sounds or smells—of a trauma.

It is called behavioral avoidance.

I had to stop watching the news and most social media because of stories or posts about war or current military events. I also cannot bring myself to return to my home state without my Biggie as a security blanket. Hell, as I’m lounging in bed typing this I already know today will be another day I’m not capable of leaving the house. I will never own a firearm because I can’t trust my own thoughts.

Are you disabled?

Depends on who you ask… 🤣 but legally, yes.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) considers post-traumatic stress disorder a disability. It falls under the category of trauma and stressor-related disorders. According to the SSA, these disorders occur after witnessing or experiencing a stressful or traumatic event.

So, What exactly is your damage?

I have PTSD-C.
You know how your brain is equipped with a built in burglar alarm? The one that lets you know when ‘that’s a bad idea’ or ‘get the fuck out or your dead’.

Fight or flight?

Well, mine shorted out sometime around 1984. Instead of my alarm going off during the scheduled fire alarm drill, it goes off ALL THE TIME.

The really action packed part comes when the parts of my brain responsible for thinking and memory stop functioning.

‘Welcome back to your nightmares’ at 10am on a random Tuesday is a fucking joy.

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There is a metric boatload of information on the internet regarding PTSD. It’s all very generalized information. If you really want to understand what the struggle is like for someone, politely ask. It’s very likely that most people will shut down, it isn’t easy to try to explain yourself when there aren’t words to accurately describe the discoloration of one soul. Especially when it comes at no cost from the hands that force situations on those unable to protect themselves. –🍋💋