PTSD Patrol after the storm

PTSD Patrol

Kathie Costos

August 5, 2020

Every news station has reports on Isaias. They report on damaged homes, flooded areas, damage they can see with their eyes, but not the damage they do not see, or think about.

 

Here's what we know about Tropical Storm Isaias CNN

NCNG soldiers with the 105th Engineer Battalion support local first responders near Windsor, NC in the aftermath of Hurricane Isaias. A tornado destroyed a mobile home park near Windsor. 

 

I lived in Florida and went through 10 hurricanes, tropical storms and remember the fear felt until the storm passed by. I remember damage done across the state and the stress member of the National Guard were under, along with all the other responders who put their lives on the line to get us back to whatever "normal" was...or as close to it as possible.

Today's extra video is for them so that we think about how the storms coming through our lives end long before they can say the same.

National Guardsmen and Reservists have the same wounds as active duty troops but they come back home without the same support. They grieve just as much but for many, they are also risking their lives as police officers and firefighters.

Vietnam veterans have been healing from what their service did to them and they know what it is to grieve. Combat PTSD is different from other types. We only know about this wound of war because they fought for everything available today for all veterans. If you have PTSD understand this one message. You are not stuck the way you are and your life can get better. PTSD caused the change in you. Change again!

PTSD Patrol getting out of pit of despair

This article on NBC News made me cry!"COVID-19 losses and uncertainty have led to a mental health crisis. Here's how to help"

Their feelings aren’t unique. The National Center for Health Statistics and Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey shows that in the third week of July, 30 percent of adults had symptoms of depressive disorder, compared to 6.6 percent last year; 36 percent had symptoms of an anxiety disorder, compared to 8.2 percent last year. Commonly affected groups appear to be women with children, young adults and people who are in sexual and gender minority groups.

Many are experiencing trauma from the widespread pandemic, grief over losses (be they life, job security, relationships or former ways of living), legitimate fears of getting sick and the absence of community and caregivers. In the background, all lack many of the typical outlets for coping with such stressors, including gym workouts, vacations, office talk and outings with friends — because, of course, exercise, regular sleep, healthy eating, social contact and a routine can help mitigate feeling depressed.

The worst thing about what is going on is that too many feel they have no power to do anything about it! They are wrong because we do have some power and until we start using it, the only outcome will be for it to keep getting worse.

People are getting assaulted for asking others to wear a mask. As stupid as that sounds, when you factor in massive crowds out enjoying themselves as if nothing is going on, it proves the rest of us are suffering for their pleasure.

What can you still do? What do you still have the power to do? Contact your members of the House and Senate and demand they stop using excuses for what they failed to do! Do not wait for the election to show your displeasure. They have had six months to get this under control and the long they fail us, the more we will suffer instead of recovering.

They are counting on you to keep suffering in silence. Time to #BreakTheSilence and stop suffering.

Today I could not contain my emotions, so the video today is not a happy one. I am putting up a couple of my older ones to make up for it, but remember, I am still just a human trying to do the best I can everyday, no matter how I feel.

PTSD Patrol in pit of despair

Mental health is in crisis across the country right now and it will not get better until we use the power we do still have to change it. The time for excuses is gone and we must Demand our officials act to change it. They have had long enough to get this pandemic under control. We keep suffering and should refuse to remain suffering in silence for their failures.

#BreakTheSilence and #TakeBackYourLife from #PTSD

This is from last year and directed toward first responders. Until June of this year, my work was focused on veterans and responders. Now it is for everyone because the need is increasing!

PTSD Patrol: Survivors take control of the road ahead

PTSD Patrol

Kathie Costos

August 3, 2020

"Linda is an extraordinary survivor" stated in the beginning of the article with this video. That is a point that everyone needs to remember. While the event tried to destroy you, it did not. You survived!

The question is, what do you do as a survivor? Do you let it change who you are inside? Then it continues to destroy you. Do you fight to take back your life as hard as you did to keep it during the event? If you do, then you win again!

What kind of a survivor do you want to be?

 

This is a clip from the DVD, Surviving Trauma and Tragedy: Lessons For Future Physicians and Mental Health. Linda is an extraordinary survivor of an abduction and sexual assault after grocery shopping for her family. She is speaking before the Class of 2007, College of Human Medicine, at MSU. She discusses the details of her personal traumatic events that led to her being diagnosed with PTSD. Linda, a member of the Michigan Victim's Alliance, and has a deep commitment to helping other survivors. Her story will help future health professionals realize how important doctors, nurses and members of the medical team can be in the diagnostic and recovery process for survivors of extreme trauma.

PTSD Patrol: only forces of light get you out of dark places

PTSD Patrol

Kathie Costos

August 2, 2020

"Why do some.....overcome?" That is the question Charles Hunt asks in this featured video today.

He is talking about how important it is to choose how we respond to things to what happens.

I could dwell on things I had to go through, but I choose to use them to help me understand other people. I use them to help me help them find hope that they can heal too.

Above all of that, I choose to not let anyone stop me because of what they decide to do with their own power.

Who are you letting stop you from becoming all you can be? Who are you letting get in your way instead of walking away from their negativity?

No one can control you but you!

When you help someone else it feels wonderful but when you need help and they walk away from you, it hurts 💔 Do not give forces of darkness power over you. Seek forces of light to get you out of the dark place you are in. #BreakTheSilence and #TakeBackYourLife from #PTSD

As the founder of The Audacity Firm, LLC, his firm provides professional and personal development programs, coaching, and events to equip clients with financial literacy/education, workforce readiness, professional development, and career planning tips, tools, and strategies to LIVE, DO, and BE BETTER.

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.”