About
My PTSD Journey is a site designed to support and educate those who are living with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
I hope that everyone affected by PTSD finds some help and support at this site — sufferers, their family, friends, bosses, co-workers, business associates, even complete strangers who are somehow affected by the actions of a PTSDer.
Although PTSD is a classified and defined brain disorder (”classified and defined” by the APA anyway, for whatever that’s worth) I have learned through first-hand experience and much discussion with other sufferers, that PTSD knows no bounds. It has dozens — hundreds? — of symptoms that you won’t find in any book, that affect some but not all, that come and go as they please. And because everyone’s brain is different, the manifestation of these symptoms can present themselves in an infinite number of ways. This means PTSD is not like a Spiderman costume … sufferers don’t just put on the PTSD ‘costume’ and look like or act like a predictable persona. While there are commonalities that PTSDers share, there are dozens more symptoms and behaviors that don’t fit a mold, or meet a pretty definition.
And this, in my opinion, is the real heart, the real nitty-gritty, of PTSD. Welcome to the trenches.
On most sites, the “Resources” section is a total yawner, and most people ignore it. That is not the case on this site. The Resources section on this site is possibly the most important section. You cannot get better without help. And you will find that help in the Resources section. USE IT.
Finally, very importantly… this site is not intended to give medical advice. I am not a doctor, a psychologist, a psychiatrist, nor any other sort of medical professional that’s qualified to speak in a medical sense about PTSD. This site is not designed to offer therapy, professional advice, or take the place of seeing your own doctor. I did not stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.
Reading about PTSD can trigger PTSD symptoms in a PTSDer, so READ WITH CAUTION. If you think you might be triggered, don’t read this site. Use your head!!
If you are feeling overwhelmed, overloaded, or suicidal, REACH OUT AND TALK TO SOMEONE. Talk to your spouse. Call a supportive family member, a friend, your doctor, your therapist, or call your community’s “Help” line. Almost all communities have a Help line. The Help line is cool. Very nice, trained, understanding and non-judgmental people answer the phone on the Help line, and they would really like to talk to you. Most times you can call anonymously. It is free. It is SAFE. And if you are needing more help, like even you know you need to be checked in somewhere to get re-stabilized, they can arrange that, too. Whatever you do, don’t sit there on the edge, afraid you’ll topple off into the deep canyon. We all have those moments. You’re not alone and you’re not a fluke of nature, to be feeling this way. Reach out and talk to someone.
Finally, I, all participants, all readers, all technology providers, and the authors and publishers of any book or resource mentioned on this site, are NOT RESPONSIBLE NOR LIABLE for the positive or negative outcomes of any event which may arise as the result of reading this site.
Your friend in the great PTSD journey,
Karin :)
