Fellow humans,
June is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) awareness month. I feel like the most important awareness months are buried in a sea of meaningless holidays and other, less important awareness months. How did we get here?
I've had PTSD for years, which is a very personal disorder that manifests itself uniquely in those who have it. At the end of the day, we're all individuals. I don't believe the disorder itself is the greatest threat, but the way we might respond.
Coping with the aftermath of trauma is super challenging and lasts a lifetime, so oftentimes we respond by turning to self-destructive behaviors, and this is never the way. Truthfully, you can heal. I might have PTSD for the rest of my physical life, yet I will choose to live a healthy, productive, and joyful life.
My faith in Jesus has become my unmovable foundation, and I fear nothing but God. Unfortunately, faith in God is not for everybody at this time, but that doesn’t mean we can’t find other positive ways to overcome our challenges, such as honest conversations, nature walks, exercise, and reading books.
The hole in my bedroom wall is from a recent incident during the night, which is usually when my PTSD manifests itself. Again, PTSD can manifest itself in a variety of ways, so it’s important to study and understand ourselves.
I woke up in the middle of the night feeling threatened, thought I saw someone walking in my house, got out of bed to approach them, then started to realize what was actually happening, became super frustrated, slammed the bedroom door, and with both hands — simultaneously high-fived the wall and door.
Putting a hole in a wall is a relatively minor consequence. If that's the worst outcome from this incident, then it’s no big deal. However, realistically PTSD can potentially lead us into self-destruction if we're not careful.
This is not the first time something like this has happened to me, so I've become somewhat seasoned at responding in a positive way. Like I said, I have Jesus on my side! This is not a cry for help whatsoever, but if you are inclined to pray for me, I would gratefully encourage you to do that.
There are many people suffering in silence with PTSD. The world is too focused on less important things, so many people won't ever notice someone struggling around them, which makes what I'm about to say even more important.
If you have PTSD, and you're not already receiving help or helping yourself in a positive and healthy way, then the responsibility is on you to ask for help. Many people have made it their life purpose to help struggling people, but we can't read your mind. You have to seek the healing that you desperately want.
The world is a broken place, but you don't have to be broken any longer. Harming yourself is never the answer, and regardless of how lonely you may feel, you're never in this struggle alone. Find a way to talk to someone, now.
And if not now, then when?
Until next time,
Salvatore Norge