PTSD – Page 4

Don’t Mistake Maturity for Weakness

April 11, 2017 Amanda Wilson

People can be terrible.

For as long as we have been on this planet, it seems like we can never learn to treat others with kindness and respect. We can move mountains and overcome milestones when it comes to big discoveries, and yet we still haven’t learned to master the concept of “loving thy neighbour as yourself,” a simple and fundamental concept that seems to fumble even the most brilliant of thinkers.

And in today’s world, you only have to turn on your TV, or listen to the radio, or go on FaceBook and see Joe Blow’s politically incorrect posts about ISIS or Trump or whatever, to see how cruel humans can be.

Because lets be honest. Humans are shitty. Keep Reading!

Mental Health, PTSD

Why We Need to Stop Comparing Types of Pain

March 23, 2017March 23, 2017 Amanda Wilson

Pain.

It is a simple, four-letter word that can have both simple and complex meanings.

It’s a word we use with everyday jargon. “Man, [insert task] is such a pain.” It’s a term we use to describe someone who is getting on our last nerve. “John is such a pain in the butt!” Or it’s a term to describe the tension that radiates from a wound or injury. Doctor: “Ok, where does it pain the most?” A simple, but complex word that holds so much value.

For me, living with a mental health issue, pain is a word that is reiterated frequently in my vocabulary. Physical pain, mental pain, emotional pain. It is a word that has many levels of complex feelings and emotions; containing raw and “painful” memories, both past and present; a term that can be used so loosely yet can detonate a bomb within seconds. Keep Reading!

Mental Health, PTSD

When the Invisible Becomes Physical

March 19, 2017March 20, 2017 Amanda Wilson

Let’s get serious for a moment.

Over the last several months I have met some amazing and inspiring people as my blog and articles started to reach a wider audience. I’ve made friends with people from all around the globe who are fighters in their own right, for they too are battling the struggles of living with a mental illness. To connect with these people, to read their stories, to share in their fears and their greatest hopes has been both an inspiration and uplifting for myself, it encourages me to keep writing – to continue sharing my story.

And for myself, while I have been beyond fortunate to have been winning many battles against my PTSD, I too have had my losses. I have my bad days. Most days the battles are silent though, invisible – undetectable to the outside world. While over the last few years I have started to become more open about my bad days, I too have days where I retreat into my protective armour and let the war rage in my head. Keep Reading!

Mental Health, PTSD

To the Boss Who Kept Dismissing My Mental Illness

March 16, 2017 Amanda Wilson

Conflict in the workplace is unavoidable.

Whether you work at a large corporation or a small local business, conflict is an issue every workplace faces. Whether it is between co-workers, between you and your boss, or between share holders and suppliers, sometimes even with clients and customers.

Workplace arguments are bound to happen. Whether you and a coworker disagree on a project, or you’re having issues with a disgruntled customer, or you’re just having a bad day yourself and you lose your nerve. It’s unfortunate but it happens.

The bottom line: Conflict happens, but most conflicts can be overcome. Keep Reading!

LBGTQ2S, Mental Health, PTSD

Why Lady Gaga’s Halftime Show Performance Matters (to Me)

February 7, 2017February 8, 2017 Amanda Wilson

Despite all the mixed reviews about Lady Gaga performing for the Super Bowl Halftime Show, I have to admit, I was pretty stoked when the blonde beauty posted on Instagram a few months ago that she was going to be headlining the show.

But Lady Gaga is popular (and sometimes criticized) for many things.

Is she eccentric? Maybe, a little. Is she unique? Definitely. Is she beautiful? She’s absolutely ga-ga-gorgeous (or I think so). Is she a great performer? Absolutely.

Am I a fan? Hell yes! But not just because of her music. Keep Reading!

PTSD

When Words Fail, Music Speaks

January 11, 2017January 11, 2017 Amanda Wilson

Last night, during a typical 2am, anxiety-overload, my-mind-won’t-turn-off bit, I started thinking about how far I have come since I started sharing my personal story about living with PTSD on social media.

I started thinking about my first blog post and how I vomited twice when I clicked “Publish” after I wrote my post that told the details of my illness. Then I started thinking about all I have accomplished in the last year, and of course, I started becoming giddy over how popular my post on The Mighty had become (“To the Cashier Who Realized I Was Having a Panic Attack”), which by the way, has gotten a second wind when To Write Love on Her Arms shared the article today on their page/twitter! (Thanks guys!)

So, as I’m lied there in bed, listening to Zack and Miesha snore away, and Arty purring next to my head, I realized it was finally 3am and I needed to get up for work in a few hours.

Great, another day of exhaustion and picky customers.

So, using my ol’ faithful playlist on my iPhone dubbed “My Lullaby List,” I was struck with a thought.

Music. Keep Reading!

Mental Illness, PTSD

A Blogger’s Year In Review

December 28, 2016December 28, 2016 Amanda Wilson

Hello beautiful humans!!

I must apologize again for being so late in posting another article!

I could list excuses (‘Cause I have lots!) but honestly, between working 12-15 hour shifts at work and trying to survive the Christmas season without too many panic attacks or triggers is tough work for a mental health blogger.

Once again, I do say I am sorry! Keep Reading!

Mental Illness, PTSD

A Word of Advice on the Good Days

September 21, 2016 Amanda Wilson

If it there has been something I have been grateful for lately, it has been the beautiful days I have experienced over these last several months.

And no, I am not referring to the balmy summer weather that we were lucky enough to experience for more than one month this season or the fact there is a hint of autumn in the air, signalling the start of a new season. As much as I do love this time of the year, this is not what I am grateful for. Keep Reading!

PTSD

An Open Letter to the Girl I See in the Mirror

August 31, 2016August 31, 2016 Amanda Wilson

(Want to learn why I picked this photo as my Feature Image…Keep reading below to find out! -A)

To the girl I see in the mirror,

It’s been awhile since we actually saw eye to eye.

For the longest time you and I have had the greatest of struggles trying to understand each other. I could never really look at you, trace over your details and admire what was there, not in the way I wanted too anyway.

Because for the longest time I couldn’t stand you. I hated the girl I saw staring back at me. It wasn’t because I didn’t like you…well actually I didn’t like you, but that was not the only reason. Keep Reading!