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Melissa Hooppaw posted an update in the group Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Advocate Network
PTSD has a way of weaving a web into your every thought and action. One hallmark symptom of PTSD is hyper vigilance. I barely realize I navigate through each day watching for threats, but I do. It kept me alive and brought me home after two deployments. As I sit and enjoy my morning coffee, I watched as a baby rabbit slowly crept up to my bird feeder. Every step, cautious. Every sound evaluated. His entire body still.. Ears scanning for 30 seconds before taking one small mouthful of seeds. I watched him do this for about 6 minutes. Listen, scan, decide it’s was safe is just for a brief second, then relax, eat and scan again.
He decided to jump on top of the feeder which was entertaining and balance himself to eat. As he did his posture changed, he was distracted and actually ate without fear. Each day we push to try and live without fear. To find a balance. We must push our comfort zone so we can learn to relax again, enjoy life and find a balance. It is worth the journey because sunflower seeds, life, is AMAZING!
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Eric Drew posted an update in the group Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Advocate Network
People with PTSD could benefit from fear reducing medicationAccording to newly published research, a drug that helps eradicate fear could boost the effectiveness of a common PTSD treatment. -
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Eric Drew posted an update in the group Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Advocate Network
Understanding a Veteran with PTSD | Maryville OnlineOne of the most common mental health challenges faced by servicemen and women is the condition known as PTSD. Learn more about PTSD with this resource guide.
Hi Melissa,
As consistently working with all branches of the military and families of soldiers with PTSD, I can say first hand that your knowledge and experience (both on and off the battlefield ) will be an invaluable asset for all who suffer from this traumatic disease. PLEASE keep posting and sharing your knowledge with the world:)
Thank you so much Melissa for joining WeHeal and for helping others by sharing your story! I also suffered extreme PTSD after 2 years on my deathbed fighting cancer with docs saying I had not chance of survival, and having every patient I met during those two years die. It was a battle scene in its own way, one that is very underappreciated!
Tomorrow is the day we celebrate you and all the women and men who have served this great country! Lets let them know that there is now an online community for all of them to share their experiences, support each other, and know they are not alone!
I look forward to sharing the strategies that worked for me and my PTSD, and I look forward to hearing about what worked for you!
very nice example of being present. i have the sandia mts out my motel window and watching the sky change is really a delight. i don’t walk much as i tried to commit suicide in 2012 and fell so hard it frightened me. i have yet to find a good emdr specialist here but i do respond well to it. the woman i am seeing i have not bounded w and she at first had little compassion for all my challenges; i actually do not like her. she is bombastic and reminds me of my mom. it is very hard teaching people that mthfr means a very very stict diet and can mean no rxs…she has been hoping a psych i will see at month’s end, will give me “something” to get off benzos and alcohol but they are my only solace. the ptsd nightmares are bad but i have trained myself to wake up, watch a video and remember i am safe…