This little happy and very big headed baby is me. People often think that those with mental health issues had bad upbringings or unsupportive parents, that is false. I was raised by parents that worked good jobs in the public sector, in a 4 bedroom detached house that was mortgaged, had everything I could have dreamed of, and a life full of family, happiness and joy. What we don't know at this point is how things change, what experiences we will encounter throughout our lives, and how our brains will react to these experiences. Mental illness isn't simple, it doesn't select people in poor backgrounds, or those that don't eat their 5 a day. Mental health is something we will all encounter at some point, even if it is to a small degree.
This is me, I am Megh; and I have PTSD.
So, the misconceptions
- We do not spend all day sitting in a corner, having hallucinations. PTSD covers a wide spectrum of symptoms, all of them developed through trauma. Each case presents differently.
- We can not simply just take medication to make this go away, it is part of who we are now. Trauma changes you forever, you should not be expected to become someone that you are not. Part of having PTSD is surrounding yourself with people that encourage you to be the best version of the person you are now, and not expect you to be the 'old' you or someone you simply cannot be.
- We CAN work and be functional members of society. Most people will encounter various types and severities of trauma throughout their lives, therefore you likely know someone, have been treated by someone, served by someone or befriended someone that has PTSD, even if not diagnosed.
- We are brilliant listeners. It is quite often people used to avoid offloading there issues on to me, in fear that I simply will not be interested, or in fear of making me triggered. A large portion of us actually love listening to you and empathising with you. We have become great problem solvers since our trauma, so we are a great shoulder to cry on in a crisis.
- We can be Mothers, Fathers and hold meaningful relationships. Depending on what trauma has caused our illness, it may take us time to trust, be intimate or see potential in a future. That isn't your fault, and it isn't our fault either. At one point at rock bottom, we didn't think we would see the next day, let alone still be here imagining a future. It is hard, and can be overwhelming. Bare with us, and try to understand why we may have barriers up.
- Through healing you can do everything you want to in life. Just because I am branded 'Disabled' or 'Mentally Ill' doesnt mean I can't now begin my future now that I am in a good place and healing. I can go to university like I didn't think I could 6 years ago, I can apply for jobs above minimum wage. We can achieve just as much as anyone else in society.
- Just because some of us take Anti-Psychotic medication, does not mean that we are 'Psychos'. Taking these can help us with flashbacks, night terrors and a long list of other symptoms.
- Just because we seem okay today, does NOT mean that we are fabricating our illness. We have fought to be where we are today. Weather you are 24 hours, 24 days or 24 years in to your trauma recovery, having good says is okay. We shouldn't feel guilty for having days that we are happy, content and not adversely affected by our trauma.
