PTSD Patrol: Breaking the silence “For me, it is #therapy in itself"

PTSD Patrol

Kathie Costos 

August 1, 2020

Of all the things we've talked about, there are a lot of people facing trauma that does not seem to end. 

COVID-19 pandemic is sweeping across this country, citizens are watching people they love with their lives on the line and spending weeks or months in hospitals, fighting for their lives when no one can go to be with them. Doctors and nurses are struggling to keep as many alive as possible, and begging for people to take this seriously enough so they do what they can to stop spreading it. 

Other jobs are done by those willing to subject themselves to trauma. And then there is domestic violence. 

We can understand that this level of trauma is far beyond what humans are designed to endure and that is when they need help to heal from it.

PTSD Patrol repeat highway in hell 

Of all the things we've covered we have not talked about repeatedly facing trauma that does not end. Domestic violence, trauma from your job, deployment in war or facing natural disaster recovery, are non-stop. You are up against things you need more help getting through. #BreakTheSilence and #TakeBackYourLife from #PTSD

Today's featured video is about a police officer who is doing what he can to encourage other officers to get help to heal too.

Detective Rob Davis' candid discussion about his journey as a #policeofficer who lives with #trauma and #PTSD are an invaluable contribution to the conversation surrounding mental health and public service.

From the Abington Police Department in Abington, PA, Rob uses his #recovery story to help other #officers who have similar symptoms. “I’m not a big public speaker. But in this case, I don’t mind sharing,” he says. “For me, it is #therapy in itself . . . To be able to tell somebody that it is possible to get through this. That’s the story that I want to share.”

PTSD Patrol: Survivor clings to anchor

PTSD Patrol 

Kathie Costos 

July 31, 2020 

Reminder, part of a series with inspirational videos on healing as a survivor

Today I'm putting up a great video about a survivor of a boating accident and if nothing else, learn that you can be happier than others who never experienced trauma. "What trauma taught me about happiness" Lindsey Roy TEDxKC is the video I am sharing today because as a survivor, I think she summed it up perfectly! #BreakTheSilence and #TakeBackYourLife from #PTSD

"Why are trauma survivors happier, on average, than lottery winners?" Lindsey Roy

"It is easier to be negative."

Why are trauma survivors happier, on average, than lottery winners? During her recovery from a devastating accident, Lindsey Roy developed ideas and ways of coping that suggest an answer to that question. Learn about her specific methods for overcoming the brain's natural negativity bias, letting go of past expectations, and connecting to a deeper self in the here and now. Lindsey Roy is a brilliant storyteller with a captivating story. A tragic boating accident while on vacation almost claimed Lindsey’s life and left her with an amputated left leg, severely injured right leg and injured right arm. Through a challenging recovery process, Lindsey learned impactful lessons on how to harness disruption and find clarity in the chaos.

 

PTSD Patrol Disturbing the Sound of Silence

PTSD Patrol

Kathie Costos

July 30, 2020 

I have come to disturb the silence that traps you.

I have come to break down the wall it built and free you.

I have come because others came to set me free. (Kathie Costos)

Disturb the water by casting a stone and cause ripples of healing! #BreakTheSilence and#TakeBackYourLife from #PTSD

"I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples." -Mother Teresa 

Hello darkness, my old friend
I've come to talk with you again
Because a vision softly creeping
Left its seeds while I was sleeping
And the vision that was planted in my brain
Still remains
Within the sound of silence

In restless dreams I walked alone
Narrow streets of cobblestone
'Neath the halo of a street lamp
I turned my collar to the cold and damp
When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light
That split the night
And touched the sound of silence

And in the naked light I saw
Ten thousand people, maybe more
People talking without speaking
People hearing without listening
People writing songs that voices never share
And no one dared
Disturb the sound of silence

"Fools, " said I, "You do not know
Silence, like a cancer, grows
Hear my words that I might teach you
Take my arms that I might reach you"
But my words, like silent raindrops fell
And echoed in the wells, of silence

And the people bowed and prayed
To the neon god they made
And the sign flashed out its warning
In the words that it was forming
And the sign said, "The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls
And tenement halls"
And whispered in the sounds of silence

Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Paul Simon
The Sound of Silence lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

PTSD Patrol Open the garage door and let the new journey begin

PTSD Patrol

Kathie Costos

July 29, 2020

Now that you have heard about how you need to heal your mind, body and spirit, it is time to being the awesome new journey to #TakeBackYourLife

No journey can begin until you open the garage door.

Your destination is set into your GPS. Your co-pilot should be ready to go with you.

Today, we are going to start putting up some of the awesome videos I found over the years. There are a lot of people talking about how you can get from where you are, to where you want to arrive....at a happier life.

Peter Tuerk, the director of a VA PTSD program, introduces how we process experiences and trauma. Using examples from his research, he describes how it's possible to process memories and their associated meanings to overcome a traumatic incident. When active avoidance impedes natural recovery the most effective healing is facilitated through treatment designed to limit avoidance and to assist with the processing of relevant information.

PTSD Patrol in a good direction

PTSD Patrol

Kathie Costos

July 28, 2020

Today is the last in the part about the power of forgiveness. When we consider all that we discussed so far between our mind, bodies and spirit, this is the hardest one of all to do. It is also the most important one if we are ever going to be empowered to heal.

The Faith of the Centurion
5 When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help.
6 “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.”
7 Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?”
8 The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.
9 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.
11 I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.
12 But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that moment. (Matthew 8)