Flourishing With PTSD

Did you know that those with PTSD can be eligible for a Service Dog? Typically a Service Dog can be VERY expensive, and most people out there can’t just go out and afford to buy a Service Dog. Listen to Natalie share her story about her German Shepherd, Driggs, how he started out as an Emotional Support Animal, and how at the time of this recording, just three weeks ago, was certified to be a Service Dog. She tells of how she was able to navigate getting Driggs trained and certified that DID NOT cost $30,000. Disclaimer: The information in this episode is anecdotal and should not be taken for legal advice. If you are interested in pursuing having a Service Dog or Emotional Support Animal (ESA) in your life, please consult with a therapist and do your own research. You can start with the following links and also please find Natalie on both her small business Instagram @lagombynatalie and her personal account @natalieheileson. You can also find her small business, Lagom By Natalie here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/LagombyNatalie Emotional Support Animal Info: https://www.esaregistration.org/?gclid=CjwKCAiAvriMBhAuEiwA8Cs5lWM5pxEbS4mFoffAirqZJS-Rsww4EULYxzzGNWZvAyQeRA1_X45y3RoCsQEQAvD_BwE. Service Dog Info: https://usserviceanimalregistrar.org/hawk-front-page/?utm_term=service%20dog%20certification&gclid=CjwKCAiAvriMBhAuEiwA8Cs5lRYfPIGzmCARIm5vpawgux_LbCKyrHG-9-HcsvTsn2kEY6CvVwUZfBoCpGYQAvD_BwE and https://www.federalservicedogregistration.org/services/service-dog-registration/

Lately I have had one constant thought: Was I THIS busy before lockdown? The amount of things I have been booking for myself and doing in a single 24-hour period is CRAZY!!! And if not careful, that can lead to burnout. What is burnout? What does that look like? How can you recover? How can you avoid it for next time? All these questions are answered by Shey, founder of We Are The Evidence (Insta: @wearetheevidence and weareevidence.com) and I, along with the help of some sources which are posted below. Join us! https://vetxinternational.com/the-five-stages-of-burnout-spot-the-sign. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/feeling-it/201706/how-give-others-without-burning-out. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/prescriptions-life/201907/4-things-do-when-youre-burning-out-work

“Can someone heal from PTSD?” “Is my life over now that I am struggling with PTSD?” “Am I stuck in this living hell?” These are all questions that trauma survivors all over the world have been asking… and I have the same questions too, which is why special guest, Dr. Pam Hall, Ph.D. sat down with me to discuss the barriers and stigma surrounding PTSD mostly in the context of - but not limited to - combat-related trauma. Not only the consequences of these barriers and stigmas, but whether or not PTSD is really a lifelong sentence. Make sure you get your copy of Dr. Pam’s book, PTSD Unplugged (https://laforensicpsychologist.com/ptsd-unplugged/) and check out her website: https://laforensicpsychologist.com/ She also has a blog: https://laforensicpsychologist.com/ptsd-blog/ and find her on social media @ptsdunplugged and on Twitter: @pamelahallphd Also check out the app: PTSD Coach to track PTSD symptoms!

There is little out there that compares to the fear one experiences when trying to navigate the world after a trauma happens to you… and then adding a PTSD diagnosis into the mix of the unknown, and ADHD! Join in and listen as Natalie shares not only her journey with PTSD and ADHD, but how cannabis (marijuana) helped her to manage her PTSD

There is little out there that compares to the fear one experiences when trying to navigate the world after a trauma happens to you… and then adding a PTSD diagnosis into the mix of the unknown, and ADHD! Join in and listen as Natalie shares not only her journey with PTSD and ADHD, but how cannabis (marijuana) helped her to manage her PTSD symptoms.

Ladies! Finally, after submitting a poll to the Flourishing With PTSD community on Instagram, many agree that a topic that is constantly left alone is going to see a gynecologist after surviving a sexual assault or sexual abuse. After being told and conditioned to protect that private part of the female body for so long, then being attacked by someone else, and then to go to the doctor to get an exam where you’re supposed to ditch that kind of protective mindset? It’s all insanely overwhelming for anyone, but adding PTSD into the mix can make that all the more challenging, scary, and upsetting. I recently had an ER visit in relation to horrible period pain, and I thought this would be a great time to talk about “those” exams where a doctor is kind of “all up in your business.” The purpose of this episode is to normalize the struggles that many women struggle with, and how to communicate with doctors about your fears and still be able to make sure all is well down there. https://www.healthline.com/health/navigating-medical-exams-after-sexual-assault

The rainbow flags that have beautifully painted our atmosphere so prominently this month of June make it hard to miss the fact that it is Pride Month. I know I’m on the latter end of it, but I wanted to make sure the conversation was as authentic and real as possible. Join guest speaker and friend, Autumn (she/they) and I as Autumn tells their story of encountering mental illness and the things she had to face as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. TRIGGER WARNING*** mentions of suicidal thoughts and ideation, depression, anxiety, and tough mental health struggles. You can find Autumn on Insta @anxietybugblog and find their website anxietybug.org. If you would like more information on The Trevor Project, please visit thetrevorproject.org to donate, observe resources, and make sure to take a look at the mission and find out how you can do your part to support this community! If you are interested in the app discussed during this episode: The Tapping Solution (blue and green swirls on it).

Many survivors of trauma have heightened baselines of anxiety, and one way that can be seen is through “absolute thinking.” When survivors face a trauma, there is a conditioned thinking pattern that can take place... “I need to be careful of how I react, because if they get upset, they might.... etc.” Check out the episode to hear more! You can follow Bre Lasley @biamovement and find her merch on thebiamovement.com

Mental health struggles often take a toll on our self esteem. I know it sure has on mine. But how? What does that look like? And more importantly, how can we move in a direction toward building up our self esteem in the wake of a trauma or when we struggle with anxiety?

TRIGGER WARNING** Mentions of Suicide.... Something that’s been on my mind as a 22 year old woman is the future... many of my acquaintances and friends are getting engaged, getting married and having kids. Having kids has never been something I’ve wanted in my life... It was like I’d seen too much, felt too much pain... and the idea of bringing someone into this world to potentially experience that pain is something that makes me spiral. However I can’t help but wonder about it. Join in on the convo I had with Zinette, who talks about the specifics of parenting with her own history of surviving and living with trauma. You can find Zinette on YouTube and Instagram: @_Zinette_ and her blog at Zinetteleader.com.