PTSD is a term some people throw around lightly. I studied it in depth when I majored in Psychology in college. Many people associate it with the after affects of war, but it can happen to people who have suffered other traumas as well, including sexual trauma and unexpected loss. One is not "better" or "worse" than another. PTSD can present in many different ways.
This week's guest is on a lifelong journey with PTSD after serving in the United States Army after 9/11. Doing two tours of duty in Iraq, she experienced things most of us never will. Her courage and resilience is inspiring. In this episode, she shares from a very vulnerable space about her experience during her time in the Army and her life since then.
Her experience with “hidden” PTSDHow her desire and knowing she was here to make a difference led her to enlist in the U.S. Army after 9/11Her experience of taking over the airport in Baghdad and what it was like being on the ground during thatWhy her second tour of duty during peacekeeping was worse than the first deploymentWhat happened when she went to Germany on her way back to Iraq after her weddingHer initial reaction to being told she had PTSDHow her husband’s PTSD affected her lifeWhat she was looking for when she went from the Army to the “Mouse House”What she did to avoid facing her trauma and PTSDHow her PTSD was different from her former husband’s PTSD (this is important because PTSD does present differently for people)The things she did to “manage” her PTSD (you might recognize some of these in yourself)What helped calm down some of her PTSD reactionsWhen she finally realized the scope of her PTSDHow she turned the symptoms of her PTSD into her superpower - and into a powerful businessHow she changed things that worked against her into things that work for herThe importance of communication and expectations when navigating trauma and PTSDThe parenting style she created that honors her children and her PTSDWhat it’s like to be in a “PTSD couple”How the Veterans’ organization, Team Red, White & Blue, helped her after she and her husband separated (an organization available for civilians as well as former military members)What running a marathon did for her mentallyThe importance of accountability in her healing journeyHow baby steps have helped her reach her goalsHer experiences with panic attacks from the PTSDMy vulnerable sharing of an experience I had that brought on an panic attack - and how my late son, Greg, showed me he was supporting me through itThe importance of having people and a community to support you and honor where you are on your healing journeyHow Heather has been able to help friends who have had difficult experiencesHow she’s created a business that works for her on her healing journeyWhy she believes we should be unapologetic on our healing journey
You can find Heather on Facebook and on her website.
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