I had no idea I was dealing with mental health issues.
I had been through a lot, including being sexually assaulted by a boyfriend and having my life destroyed by a suicide attempt.
I’d been through so much I’d lost track of how much I had endured.
The anxiety I’d experienced as a child had taken a heavy toll on me.
I was finally able to talk about it with my GP and she was very understanding and helped me deal with the trauma.
“We’re all very sensitive to the effects of trauma,” she said.
“It can be a bit overwhelming.”
I thought I was in a really good place, but now I know I’m not.
I’ve got a lot of work to do.
I feel like I need to get help.
“I thought my PTSD was under control, but I was wrong.
I think if I’d just had a mental health check-up before I was diagnosed I wouldn’t have made it this far.
I feel like the treatment I received wasn’t sufficient.
It’s been a long journey for me to feel comfortable talking about my experiences.
I used to just think of myself as a survivor.
But I now know that I’m a survivor too, and I know that the stigma around mental health is still very strong.
I’m also grateful for the help of my friends.
They’ve been incredibly supportive, encouraging and understanding.
I know they’ve been through the same things as me, but they’re not looking for my story.
They’re looking for others who’ve been affected by the same thing and have been able to help.
I feel so fortunate to be a part of the recovery process.
If I was to go back in, I’d be completely different person.
Being able to be open about the issues I’ve experienced with PTSD has been very helpful.
I’m glad I could be able to share my story and share my thoughts and experiences.
