<breaking character>

If you have read my character break posts at all, you know I am a US Army Veteran. If you haven't, now you do.

There has been a lot of "buzzwords" in the news lately, but instead of "words" let's call them

TRIGGERS

Specifically, triggers of PTSD....

I have posted mentioning that PTSD is not just a military thing. Civilians who have had traumas are just as likely to suffer PTSD. PTSD resources for civilians are lacking greatly. Not just in comparison, but actually lacking greatly...these are needed, esp- in todays climate

With that said,
The following words elicit different responses from veterans than most civilians:

-insurgent
-IED
-improvised explosive
-home made bombs
-terrorist

This is not an all inclusive list, there are more, but those are the ones that roll off of the top of my head.

I am talking about this because today I swerved ( a little too hard) around a garbage bag in the road.

Part of me knew that it was a garbage bag, with nothing more than garbage in it.

Another part of me, trained by experience and having seen the effects of not avoiding it...

...decided to override my reflexes.

It wasn't too bad, but it could have been, I could have swerved into another car or oncoming traffic...

my kids were in the car.

We all know the "what if" game

We. All. Know. That. Game.

I am on high alert.

I am sure that many other veterans are as well.

Do not ignore it.
Recognize it.
Own it.
Talk to someone.
Don't brush it off.
Talk to someone.
Get help.
...

This has helped me in immediate times of crisis, as has talking to my VA Doctors HONESTLY https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/ 

PLEASE, if you know someone struggling, or are yourself, get help.

Needing and getting help doesn't meant that you are weak.

Strength is shown by being brave enough to admit you need help with your burden.

If you have additional resources to add, please do.

A big part of PTSD for me has been
"am I ever gonna be normal again"

I go a long time and I am fine.
Suddenly, I am right back in the shit, even though I'm not really there.
Then I get depressed
I want to be me without the trauma.
There will never be a ME without the trauma

The trauma happened and it is part of me.
I don't like it.
I don't want it.
But it's there.
Ignoring it won't defeat it.

If you're in a dark place, seek light.

Please.

Thanks for reading.

Please forward this to anyone you think needs to read it.

But PLEASE forward this thread as a DM.

Don't put someone's issues on blast!

IF YOU HAVE CIVILIAN RESOURCES, please DM me.

There's little civilian support for PTSD. I would like to help get some out there.

Return to your regularly scheduled @ParlerYoda we now do.