Research Journalism Student Looking For Someone Willing To Share Their Story

[Gauthier]

Hello. My name is Gauthier Giacomoni. I am a graduate broadcast journalism student in Boston. For my master's thesis I want to do a story on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

I was wondering if anybody would be interested in speaking with me about their experience.

Please reply to this post, or message me privately if you are interested.

Thank you.

 

[jo may]

Hi Gauthier,

I'm Joanne and I am copying part of my Psychiatrist Consultant's letter to hopefully help you with your paper.

PC: I met MS May following a referal from her Doctor, She presented with severe PTSD and morbid Depression.
She reports having horrific nightmares and some flashbacks.
These are to do with her first boyfriend and proper relationship with man named "E".

She also presented with hypervigilance, intolerance of noise = "E" voice is constantly there shouting at her.
She also presented with emotional numbness, early and middle insomnia, anhedonia and a lack of energy and motivation.

She has also reported self- harming in the past and not wanting to be alive at times.

Ms May disclosed that when she was 13 she got her first boyfriend who was 13 years her senior.
Within a few months of getting into this relationship "E" started to beat her and sexually assault her.
At the age of 15 she found she was pregnant but couldn't tell anyone so kept it to herself. When she got to the stage she couldn't hide her bump she told "E" and he replyed by beating her up, this resulting in Ms May having a miscarriage. Ms May admits to taking an overdose for the first time.

Ms May has a history of heavy alcohol use and drug use during her teenage years, she now has an enlarged liver, and has been adviced to stop drinking. She no longer uses drugs.

MY IMPRESSION

This pleasent 32 year old mother of 3 young children does present with PTSD as well as depression and alcohol misuse, which she said helps her cope.

And that is all I feel I want to put down I hope that helps, I found that very hard going:(
JM

 

[BloomInWinter]

((((Jo May))))

 

[Gauthier]

Thank you Jo May.

 

[BloomInWinter]

Gauthier,

Do you intend your article for publication, and if so, where?

Best Wishes,
Bloom

 

[Gauthier]

I'm still in the early stages of putting this piece together, but as I am in broadcast journalism, the end product would be either in TV or radio format (to be published on my website if consent was given by all parties involved), and then potentially sold as a freelance piece to an accredited news organization (again if consent was granted).

Ultimately for this to work I would have to find someone around Massachusetts willing to share their experience in person. Some of my focus involve current treatment options, and their effectiveness.

 

[LoyalOne]

I am in Massachusetts, but I sure as hell don't want to be broadcast. You might have better luck talking to organizations in town, in person. Boston is jammed full of centers and clinics and organizations and places.

Many of the people talking about this stuff on the Internet do so because they want anonymity. I don't say this to speak for anyone on here, per se, but there are so many resources in Boston, a little legwork and face time might bring you good luck on this in person.

 

[Gauthier]

That is one of the main issues that I've run up against. I started talking with the VA and other military NGO's, but they weren't willing to introduce me to the few patients willing to speak to the press because I am still a student.

Would you (or others) be more willing to participate in such a story if it was in radio format only, and you were referred to by your initials or a pseudonym?

 

[LoyalOne]

I personally would not.

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

There is very little that could participate me to do this. I was interested at first but...

What is the purpose of it? Awareness? What kind of things are you looking for? What kind of questions? Just an example.

 

[jo may]

See I agree I couldn't and wouldn't want to do radio/tv.

I don't mind sharing on this site as I don't feel judged or like a fish out of water.

 

[BloomInWinter]

I'm not interested, myself, but you might advertise at a food pantry or church for 'families wishing to tell their PTSD Story...'

There are many who suffer but have no Internet access....but desire justice and witness.