Think about this…Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a mental disorder that can happen to many people! –To law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMT workers, war veterans…to anyone who experiences or witnesses intense violence, serious accidents, or life-threatening situations and events.

(Involvement in these difficult situations can make you feel hopeless, fearful, horrified, and overwhelmed…as Cindy expressed about herself in her journal.)

Imagine experiencing or witnessing:
An airplane accident
9/11
An animal attack
An assault
An automobile accident
Child abuse
A difficult birthing…including an unexpected cesarean
Domestic violence
Fire
A hurricane
Kidnapping
Losing a limb
Military combat
Rape
Severe verbal abuse
Sexual abuse
Sexual molestation
Suicide
Terrorism
A threatening individual with a knife or a gun
A Tornado
Torture
…

If you’ve experienced a traumatic event, chances are your priorities and goals may have changed…you may feel it’s tough to fit in…you may feel guilty…you may think nobody will understand…you may be experiencing stronger feelings than in the past…you may be feeling on edge and tense…and so you close yourself off.

Please seek out help if you are experiencing symptoms of PTSD, depression, or difficulties with anger or substance abuse…PTSD is highly treatable. And if help isn’t available immediately, keep trying to obtain it!

I know you want to isolate yourself…but talk about your experience and feelings with someone you trust.

Melanie Hack
Author of Who Killed My Sister, My friend
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TV Shows and Clips about the Death of Cindy James