This episode of the Grim Drive Podcast, where we explore mental health through the lens of professional sports and athletes, takes a look at Robin Lehner + PTSD.

Our previous episode covered Josh Gordon + Substance Abuse, during which we discussed the prevalence of underlying trauma in those struggling with substance abuse or addiction issues (some research reports this number as high as 70-75%). That episode focused more on addiction as a topic.  In this episode on Robin Lehner, a Swedish Hockey goalie in the NHL, we delve into trauma/PTSD as the main mental health topic.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), more than two thirds of children reported at least one traumatic event by age 16.  The definition of trauma has evolved, now including any type of abuse or neglect, violence (experienced/witnessed/vicarious), sexual exploitation, loss of a loved one, refugee or war experiences, assault, accidents or life threatening illnesses, and bullying.  

Trauma can lead to the onset of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, though this doesn’t always happen, and we still don’t fully understand why some develop PTSD and others do not.  What we do know is that weakness is NOT the cause, and that when PTSD is present, many other mental health issues can also form as a result.  Robin Lehner is someone who reports being diagnosed with PTSD due to childhood trauma, which then caused Bipolar Disorder, when then eventually contributed to substance abuse issues.  In this episode, we unpack this complicated diagnosis and discuss PTSD in more detail.

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Robin Lehner episode related links:

Charitable cause:: ​https://samehereglobal.org/profile-robin-lehner/

The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/522117/2018/09/13/islanders-goalie-robin-lehner-opens-up-about-his-addiction-and-bipolar-diagnosis-i-could-not-stand-being-alone-in-my-brain/

Twitter link where he acknowledges that he developed Bipolar FROM trauma: https://twitter.com/robinlehner/status/1216583388032851968?lang=en

Other:

Trauma/PTSD:

• https://www.samhsa.gov/child-trauma/understanding-child-trauma
• https://www.healthline.com/health/emdr-therapy

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What to do about PTSD:

***Disclaimer on MH tips (A LOT of tools and strategies with mental health are easy to understand, HARD to execute…#1 reason they are hard to execute is the fraudulent mindset of “it can’t be that easy”…it is and it isn’t…easy to comprehend does not mean easy to execute (working out and eating right are perfect examples of this)…beware of the mind’s tendency to downplay great solutions due to negativity, denial, or excuse making designed to avoid hard work…trained responses by the brain, deluding the self into thinking there is no point in order to give yourself permission to avoid change.  *It is always best to seek professional help and work with someone, ESPECIALLY with trauma/PTSD.

PTSD/Trauma:

• Exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence (direct, witnessed, vicarious, OR repeated/extreme exposure to traumatic details)
• Intrusive symptoms associated with the trauma (memories, dreams, flashbacks)
• Avoidance of traumatic details (internal or external)
• Negative changes in thoughts/mood associated with the traumatic event (can’t remember
  details, blaming of self, lack of interest in activities, constant negative emotions like fear,
  horror, anger, guilt, shame….detachment, or inability to experience positive emotions
• Noticeable changes in arousal/reactivity (irritable, reckless or self-destructive, hyper
  vigilant, issues with concentration, sleep issues

Steps to Take: Dealing with PTSD/Trauma:

Factors to consider:

• –  The % of those dealing with addiction who have underlying trauma (+ trauma informed care)
• –  The definition of trauma has changed over the years…

Steps to take:

• As hard as it often it, try not to BLAME YOURSELF
• Try not to ISOLATE
• Try not to NUMB (sub ab, self-harm, etc.) (Get HELP and support instead)
  • National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-TALK
  • National Helpline for Substance Abuse: 1-800-662-HELP
  • Crisis Text Line: Text “CONNECT” to 741741
• Find a therapist on Zencare or Psychology Today
• SAFETY is the first priority (psychological/physical/etc.)
  • Seeking safety is the first step in dealing with trauma/PTSD
  • Because it is very easy to be RE-traumatized, which can have a domino effect
  • We do this before ever discussing a “trauma narrative”
  • Create a safety plan: a way of planning ahead so you can cope with PTSD symptoms
    • Identify and understand your triggers
    • People, places, shows, anniversaries, holidays, smells, seeing an accident
    • Write down a list of emergency contacts/numbers (family, friends, therapist, etc) – Ask for help from them, especially before you know you may be at risk
    • Make sure your meds are on you
    • Identify healthy ways of coping (deep breathing, grounding exercises, etc.) – Identify early warning signs:
      • changes in thoughts, mood, behavior
      • Identify what helps you feel safe and in control
• Other approaches to trauma work: 
  • Narrative based Therapy
  • EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy)
    • In session, you relive traumatic experiences in brief doses while the therapist directs your eye movements
    • Recalling distressing events is often less emotionally upsetting when attention is shifted
    • Over time, this reduces the impact that the memories have on you
    • Particularly effective for those who struggle to talk about their past experiences

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Grim Drive Example: 

• Mental Health clinicians, particularly in hospitals, but really everywhere, who are trying to support many others while also balancing their own mental health

The post Episode 7: Robin Lehner + PTSD first appeared on Grim Drive.