Wishful Thinking

[fallout]

I'm really frustrated at the way sufferers of PTSD generally suffer in silence. More often than not it involves keeping up a mask of normalcy, like dealing with this illness is something to be ashamed of. The reality is that PTSD represents a grand demonstration of personal strength and character for anyone that has to go through it, and we should be able to take pride in that.

I wish there were more opportunities for PTSD victims and survivors to come together as a community in person, because it would be such a show of strength. Wouldn't it be cool if there was a big run, like the kinds they hold for various cancers, that people could participate in if PTSD has touched their lives in some way? I'm biased because I like to run...but I think it would be special and encouraging to see first hand how many tough people are fighting the same fight I am.

I'm not exactly in a position to get up and organize something like that, but it's fun to think about. I'm in the mood where I want to throw it in the face of clueless people who want to downplay the seriousness of PTSD because it's easier for them to pretend it doesn't exist. Nyaaah to them.

 

[Irton Pike]

i know how you feel. I came out at work a year ago, as i was being bullied back into PTSD. The person bullying me just got worse and worse. But others did listen especially after my bully started getting physical and shoving me about. Now I just tell people i have PTSD and I am dealing with it. If you don't like it, **** YOU!


My teachers always said i had an attitude problem!

 

[Marlene]

Fallout,

I think that's a wonderful idea...but (ain't there always a but?) unfortunately we live in a society where you put the word 'mental' in front of another word [mental health, mental illness, etc.] people seem to automatically act like you're contageous. It's a sad truth. I thought that people were so past that until my PTSD reared its ugly head. I 'came out' about it at work and received a written letter of warning about talking about my problem at work. I also received a warning that if I did it again, I would be fired. So much for people being past it, huh?

But I do agree that public education is so important. It seems the only time people hear about PTSD is from instances where someone has spun out of control and hurt themselves or others. Showing that it's possible to live a full life with a mental illness is, IMO, the best way to do it.

I recently read an article in a local newspaper written by a 'counselor' (don't know what his credentials were) that listed one of the major symptoms of PTSD was being violent towards others. I sent him an email asking him where he got his information. And, as a sufferer, I resented him printing information as a proported mental health professional that was misleading to people. He sent me an email back telling me he was sorry and what could he do to help? Gee, sparky...not much. You've already done the damage and who reads retractions in a small box in the back of the newspaper?

Anyway, that's my 30 seconds on the soap-box.

Lisa