PTSD: Ghostbusters ready to believe you!

PTSD Patrol
Kathie Costos
May 11, 2021

It is so strange how so many songs can be applied to living with PTSD. OK! I admit it, I am strange but that's OK too since the word "normal" is just an illusion. What is normal? What is something that is "normal" to one person won't be to someone else. This morning the theme from Ghostbusters popped into my brain, which may not sound normal to anyone else, but considering what I do, it is. Ghostbusters were not normal at all but fighting ghosts was just a job to them. 

I decided that today it would be the featured video today. Ghostbusters Commercial starts with "Are you troubled by strange noises in the middle of the night?" It ends with "We're ready to believe you!"
That is what it is like when you finally find someone who believes you. Finding a trauma specialist is like calling Ghostbusters. You may feel odd or strange but it is their job to fight the ghosts that have been following you around since you survived whatever caused PTSD to hit you. "Busting ghosts makes them feel good" and you feel better too!

I had ghosts chasing me too. Now, "I ain't 'fraid of no ghosts! Isn't it time to get them out of your life too?

Remember, it is your life...get in and drive it!

#BreakTheSilence and #TakeBackYourLife from #PTSD 

Ghostbusters

Ray Parker Jr. 

Ghostbusters!

If there's something strange

In your neighborhood

Who you gonna call?

Ghostbusters!

If there's something weird

And it don't look good

Who you gonna call?

Ghostbusters!

I ain't 'fraid of no ghost

I ain't 'fraid of no ghost

If you're seeing things

Running through your head

Who can you call?

Ghostbusters!

An invisible man

Sleepin' in your bed

Ow, who you gonna call?

Ghostbusters!

I ain't 'fraid of no ghost

I ain't 'fraid of no ghost

Who you gonna call?

Ghostbusters!

If you're all alone

Pick up the phone

And call

Ghostbusters!

I ain't 'fraid of no ghost

Ooh, I hear it likes the girls

Hm, I ain't 'fraid of no ghost

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Who you gonna call?

Ghostbusters!

Mmm, if you've had a dose of a

Freaky ghost, baby

You better call

Ghostbusters!

Ow!

Lemme tell ya something

Bustin' makes me feel good!

I ain't 'fraid of no ghost

I ain't 'fraid of no ghost

Don't get caught alone oh, no

Ghostbusters!

When it comes through your door

Unless you just want some more

I think you better call

Ghostbusters!

Ow! Who you gonna call?

Ghostbusters!

Who you gonna call?

Ghostbusters!

Uh, think you better call

Ghostbusters!

Ha ha, who you gonna call?

Ghostbusters!

I can't hear you

Who you gonna call?

Ghostbusters!

Louder

Ghostbusters!

Who you gonna call?

Ghostbusters!

Who can you call?

Ghostbusters!

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Ray Parker Jr. Ghostbusters lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Ray Parker Jr Dba Raydiola Music 

Why not be a hero to yourself again?

PTSD Patrol
Kathie Costos
May 10, 2021

Why not fight for yourself instead of waiting for someone else to do it for you? You know "you" better than anyone else does. You know what you felt like before you were hit by what caused PTSD and you know what it felt like afterwards. Time for a hero to rush to rescue you and you're in luck...she's already there!

Today the featured video is about waiting for a hero. What about you? Why wait for someone who is already there? The truth is, if you have PTSD, you fought for your life and won, or you wouldn't have survived. Why not be a hero to yourself again?

Bonnie Taylor's song, Holding Out For A Hero had me thinking about a lot of women I've known over the years. All of them could stand on their own two feet and were perfectly happy living their own lives, their way. Sure they wanted to share their lives with someone but had no intention of settling for anything or anyone. 

So what are you holding out for now?

Remember, it is your life...get in and drive it!

#BreakTheSilence and #TakeBackYourLife from #PTSD

Holding Out for a Hero

Bonnie Tyler

Where have all the good men gone

And where are all the gods

Where's the streetwise Hercules

To fight the rising odds

Isn't there a white knight upon a fiery steed

Late at night I toss and I turn

And I dream of what I need

I need a hero

I'm holding out for a hero 'till the end of the night

He's gotta be strong, and he's gotta be fast

And he's gotta be fresh from the fight

I need a hero

I'm holding out for a hero 'till the morning light

He's gotta be sure, and it's gotta be soon

And he's gotta be larger than life

Larger than life

Somewhere after midnight

In my wildest fantasy

Somewhere just beyond my reach

There's someone reaching back for me

Racing on the thunder and rising with the heat

It's gonna take a Superman to sweep me off my feet

I need a hero

I'm holding out for a hero 'till the end of the night

He's gotta be strong, and he's gotta be fast

And he's gotta be fresh from the fight

I need a hero

I'm holding out for a hero 'till the morning light

He's gotta be sure, and it's gotta be soon

And he's gotta be larger than life

I need a hero

I'm holding out for a hero 'till the end of the night

Up where the mountains meet the heavens above

Out where the lightning splits the sea

I could swear there is someone somewhere watching me

Through the wind and the chill and the rain

And the storm and the flood

I can feel his approach like a fire in my blood

I need a hero

I'm holding out for a hero 'till the end of the night

He's gotta be strong, and he's gotta be fast

And he's gotta be fresh from the fight

I need a hero

I'm holding out for a hero 'till the morning light

He's gotta be sure, and it's gotta be soon

And he's gotta be larger than life

I need a hero

I'm holding out for a hero 'till the end of the night

He's gotta be strong, and he's gotta be fast

And he's gotta be fresh from the fight

I need a hero

I'm holding out for a hero 'till the morning light

He's gotta be sure, and it's gotta be soon

And he's gotta be larger than life

I need a hero

I'm holding out for a hero 'till the end of the night

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Jim Steinman / Dean Pitchford 

Off today for Mother's Day

I am taking the day off to celebrate Mother's Day. I want to wish all the Moms out there a wonderful day.

there's no sorrow they can't rise above

PTSD Patrol
Kathie Costos
May 8, 2021

Did you know there are people in this world who know "there's no sorrow they can't rise above?" Gordon Lightfoot called them Rainy Day People, and yes, that is the featured video of the day.

I remember about 10 years ago, I heard the song and it was the first time I thought of myself as a rainy day person. A lot of the song is the way I feel about things, but this one is one of the major ones.

"Rainy day people don't talk, they just listen till they've heard it all." I wouldn't be able to help anyone if I didn't listen to them, especially if they are dealing with surviving traumatic events. It is a gift when they have that ability, because I learned how to do it from people I met over the years who listened to me until I had nothing else to say.

Rainy Day People are great for many reasons. Other than being there for people in need of help, they also help them find hope. They understand what you are going through, because they've been there too. They also want you to know that you can become one of them too, and help others when they need it.

That is where the passing it on part comes in. Anyone can take their experiences and pass on hope to those struggling with something. And that, that is a beautiful thing delivered from those who love others.

Remember, it is your life...get in and drive it! 

#BreakTheSilence and #TakeBackYourLife from #PTSD 

Rainy Day People

Gordon Lightfoot

Rainy day people always seem to know when it's time to call

Rainy day people don't talk, they just listen till they've heard it all

Rainy day lovers don't lie when they tell 'ya they've been down like you

Rainy day people don't mind if you're cryin' a tear or two

If you get lonely, all you really need is that rainy day love

Rainy day people all know there's no sorrow they can't rise above

Rainy day lovers don't love any others, that would not be kind

Rainy day people all know how it hangs on a piece of mind

Rainy day lovers don't lie when they tell you, they've been down there too

Rainy day people don't mind if you're cryin' a tear or two.

Rainy day people always seem to know when you're feeling blue

High stepping strutters who land in the gutters sometimes need one too

Take it or leave it, or try to believe it

If you've been down too long

Rainy day lovers don't hide love inside they just pass it on

Rainy day lovers don't hide love inside they just pass it on

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: G Lightfoot

Rainy Day People lyrics © Wb Music Corp., Moose Music 

Your career is to help others...but not yourself?

PTSD Patrol
Kathie Costos
May 7, 2021

We haven't had a video for responders for a while and considering this is Mental Health Month, it is a good time to do it. Put everything you think about PTSD for a few minutes. Your job is to help people. Why wouldn't you want to ask for help for yourself? It makes no sense at all.

Today the featured video is Little River Band, Help Is On Its Way. Those five words give hope that whatever horrible thing you are going through, will stop being horrible.

Think about the people you rush to help. They survived something that could have killed them and many times, they need help to stay alive. Hearing help is on the way, lets them know it is about to get better. They can end up with PTSD from the event you had to respond to. It only takes that one time too many, and sometimes it is just one time that did it, but their lives change. For me, I survived over 10 of them. Most of the time, responders had to come and help me. If you can understand what the event could do to us, then why can't you understand what all the ones you were involved with could do to you?

Your career is to help others...but not yourself? Why? Are you ashamed of being human and surviving all those events? I have to tell you that after all these years of working with people with PTSD, I am not ashamed of any of them. I am not ashamed of what they turned around and did with their lives after they received help. I am not ashamed of my husband. I am not even ashamed of myself, after finally discovering that what I went through was PTSD too, just a different form of it. Why would you be ashamed of needing help when helping is your job?

Don't you think the people you work with would risk their lives to save you, the same way you'd risk your life for their sake? Then how could you doubt they would listen to you when you need to talk? On the flip side, if you don't have PTSD but someone you work with may, why aren't you finding out all you can about PTSD so you can help them? Any idea how they will feel when they know that help is on the way for them and the horrible times will get better? 

Remember, it is your life...get in and drive it!

#BreakTheSilence and #TakeBackYourLife from #PTSD 

Help Is on Its Way

Little River Band

Why are you in so such hurry?

Is it really worth the worry?

Look around, then slow down

What's it like inside the bubble?

Does your head ever give you trouble?

It's no sin, trade it in

Hang on, help is on its way

I'll be there as fast as I can

"Hang on", a tiny voice did say

From somewhere deep inside the inner man

Are you always in confusion?

Surrounded by illusion?

Sort it out, you'll make out

Seem to make a good beginning

Someone else ends up winning

Don't seem fair, don't you care?

Hang on, help is on its way

I'll be there as fast as I can

"Hang on", a tiny voice did say

From somewhere deep inside the inner man

Don't you forget who'll take care of you

It don't matter what you do

Form a duet, let him sing melody

You'll provide the harmony

Why are you in so such hurry?

Is it really worth the worry?

Look around, then slow down

What's it like inside the bubble?

Does your head ever give you trouble?

It's no sin, trade it in

Hang on, help is on its way

I'll be there as fast as I can

"Hang on", a tiny voice did say

From somewhere deep inside the inner man

Hang on, help is on its way

I'll be there as fast as I can

"Hang on", a tiny voice did say

From somewhere deep inside the inner man

Help is on its way

Help is on its way

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Glenn Barrie Shorrock

Help Is on Its Way lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc