June is PTSD Awareness Month

PTSD is often misunderstood and surrounded by harmful rumors that can prevent people from seeking the help they need. One of these rumors is that those who develop PTSD are "not resilient" or "damaged goods." 

This harmful idea suggests that only certain individuals are susceptible to developing PTSD, based on their past experiences or perceived level of resilience.

But the truth is, trauma can affect anyone. It is a highly individual experience, and what may be traumatic for one person may not be for another. No amount of happy childhood memories or previous traumas can protect someone from experiencing PTSD.

Furthermore, this damaging rumor perpetuates the notion that individuals with PTSD should just "bounce back" quickly. 

But the reality is, healing from trauma takes time and support. It is a process, not a quick fix.

Believing in this rumor can also have serious consequences. When people in need of help fear being labeled as "weak" or "damaged," they are less likely to seek the support and treatment they deserve. And this can lead to devastating outcomes.

Not seeking help can have disastrous effects. (These statistics are based on the U.S. population): 

• About 6 out of every 100 people (or 6% of the population) will develop PTSD at some point during their life 

• About 8 of every 100 women (or 8%) develop PTSD sometime in their lives compared with about 4 of every 100 men (or 4%) 

• Among people who have had a diagnosis of PTSD in their lifetime, approximately 27% have also attempted suicide 

•  Women with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are nearly seven times more likely than other women to die by suicide 

• The average time between PTSD diagnosis and suicide was less than two and a half years 

It's time to debunk this harmful myth and start supporting those who are dealing with the effects of trauma. Let's not add to their burden by blaming them for their struggles. Instead, let's offer compassion, understanding, and resources to help them heal.

If you've been affected by harmful rumors about PTSD, know that you're not alone.  Remember, there is no shame in seeking help and working toward healing. Let's break the stigma surrounding mental health together. 

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We value your feedback and ideas! 

Reach out on our Community Facebook Page!

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“If you believe change is possible, you want to change, and you are willing to do the work, you absolutely CAN get your life back.”

Get your copy of The Soldier's Guide to PTSD, The Soldier's Workbook, 

or Acknowledge & Heal, A Women's-Focused Guide to PTSD

Toxic Positivity is a form of invalidation and gaslighting

 

We’ve mentioned before that shame is the internal voice that tells us we are horrible and a burden and should keep our problems to ourselves. 

Well, there is an equally insidious “outside voice” version of this, too. We call this toxic positivity. Rather than coming from within, this is the feedback we get from others, or what we tell ourselves, that reinforces our shame and prevents us from seeking help. 

Toxic Positivity is a form of invalidation and falls into the category of gaslighting and emotional abuse. Yeah, it can be that serious.

Instead of facing difficult emotions, Toxic Positivity rejects or ignores the negative, glossing over emotional pain with a cheerful, often falsely positive, facade. This can come in the form of burying one’s own feelings and avoiding anything negative, or it can come as a response to expressing those negative feelings with another person.  

Common examples: 

Feigning Gratitude or Praise. 

Focusing on gratitude to bypass emotions. Gratitude is not a bad thing. Neither is praise. But they can be when used to invalidate or ignore your pain.

1. Look on the bright side.
2. Count your blessings.
3. I just can’t believe how strong you are. I’d never survive what you’re going through. Keep up the good work.

Comparing 

Just because someone else is seemingly handling a tough time “better” than you, that's no reason to start comparing. Everyone handles things in their own way.

1. You think you have it rough?
2. It could be worse.
3. If I can do it, so can you. 

Dismissing Difficult Emotions 

When difficult emotions arise, you completely push them down, insisting you must stay positive. It’s a form of gaslighting.

1. Everything happens for a reason.
2. You signed up for this. Now suck it up and do your job.
3. Failure is not an option.

A toxic positivity response creates a disconnect in a person’s ability to rely on their social support structure. And the worst part is these responses can come from others, or it can come from your own mind. 

*****

“If you believe change is possible, you want to change, and you are willing to do the work, you absolutely CAN get your life back.”

Get your copy of The Soldier's Guide to PTSD, The Soldier's Workbook, 

or Acknowledge & Heal, A Women's-Focused Guide to PTSD

April is National Stress Awareness Month

 

April is recognized as National Stress Awareness Month to bring attention to the negative impact of stress. Managing stress is an essential component of Mental Health.

As of this writing, burnout is not listed as a diagnosis in DSM-5. That said, Burnout is a state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion caused by prolonged and excessive stress, so we must understand that burnout is much more complicated than ordinary fatigue. 

Being burned out is feeling empty, mentally exhausted, lacking motivation, with no resources left to draw on. People experiencing burnout often cannot see a way to change their situation. If not addressed and treated, burnout can lead to a full on mental health crisis. 

Psychologists Herbert Freudenberger and Gail North have outlined the phases of this stress syndrome:

• Excessive Drive/Ambition

Too much ambition can lead to burnout. Ambition pushes a person to work harder.
Neglecting Needs
Begin to sacrifice self-care like sleep, exercise, and eating well.

• Displacement Of Conflict

Blaming the boss, the demands of the job, or colleagues for personal troubles.
No Time For Non-Work-Related Needs
Begin to withdraw from family and friends.

• Denial

Impatience with other, seeing them as incompetent, lazy, or overbearing.

• Withdrawal

Further pulling away from family and friends. Social invitations to parties, movies, and dinner dates start to feel burdensome.

• Behavioral Changes

Those on the road to burnout may become more aggressive and snap at loved ones for no reason.

• Depersonalization

Feeling detached from life and ability to it.
Inner Emptiness Or Anxiety
Potential to turn to thrill seeking behaviors to cope with empty feelings. Potential for substance use, gambling, or over eating.

• Depression

Life loses its meaning. Extreme hopelessness.
Mental Or Physical Collapse
Mental health or medical attention may be necessary.

 Ask yourself these four questions to determine if you are suffering from burnout.

1.      How often are you tired and lacking energy to go to work in the morning?

2.      How often do you feel physically drained, like your batteries are dead?

3.      How often is your thinking process sluggish or your concentration impaired?

4.      How often do you feel emotionally detached from co-workers (or customers) and unable to be sensitive to their needs?

There is a significant association between PTSD and burnout, particularly the depressive component. While burnout is not currently recognized by the DSM-5, it is a serious condition that makes a person less resilient to handling additional stressors or traumas.

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I want to share great resources and ideas with you. This video by Sharon Horesh Bergquist, How stress affects your body, is short, fun, comprehensive, and really well done - oh, and it's less than five minutes long! I encourage you to check this out; I know I will be sharing this with all my clients going forward: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-t1Z5-oPtU

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We value your feedback and ideas! Reach out on our Community Facebook Page!

*****

“If you believe change is possible, you want to change, and you are willing to do the work, you absolutely CAN get your life back.”

Get your copy of The Soldier's Guide to PTSD, The Soldier's Workbook, 

or Acknowledge & Heal, A Women's-Focused Guide to PTSD