PTSD: The Hidden Weight We Carry

PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) is not a sign of weakness, like many may believe. It's actually the way our bodies signal for help. PTSD occurs either after a specific traumatic event, or through a series of events that take place in our lives. It can look like depression and/or anxiety. Sometimes these symptoms don't go away and/or emerge every time we are reminded of the traumatic event.

PTSD and Identity

Being firm in our identity is vital to healing from PTSD, or any disorder; because without a solid foundation, can only be found in Christ.

PTSD can and does change who we are and distort the lens in which we see our lives and the people we interact with through. When our identity is built on fear, shame, survival or self-preservation, it becomes fragile. Like building our identity on sand instead of the rock (which is Jesus btw). By building on sand, our perspectives will shift, crack and eventually collapse under pressure. We have to make sure we are firm in who we are.

If you are interested in going deeper, check out our identity blueprint page (no email required) to see where you are at currently and how to get a clearer perspective moving forward.

Myths about PTSD

The number one myth about PTSD, is that it is only a diagnosis for veterans. Which veterans absolutely can get PTSD, however so can anyone else. It can look different for everyone. PTSD can happen to anyone who suffered a loss or abuse, even abandonment and betrayal. It can happen after childhood trauma, physical violence, medical trauma and more.

Another myth is that it happens directly after a traumatic event. PTSD can actually start occuring months, even years after.

The last myth I want to talk about is that people with PTSD are dangerous. Which obviously is ridiculous. Anyone can have some form of PTSD and not everyone is a dangerous person. Putting labels and misunderstanding people does cause damage. Our identity can again become distorted when we define ourselves by symptoms instead of truth.

Faith and Identity

When someone is misdiagnosed, it can wreck how they see themselves. Most of the time, you don't have a disorder, your body is just responding the only way it knows how. You are allowed to challenge a label that doesn't feel right.

Research your symptoms and ask questions. Real healing comes when we take action. I want to encourage you to reevaluate your habits, goals, relationships and patterns. Trauma can reshape you into something you never wanted in the first place, and healing is to reshape your identity into someone God created you to be.

To properly heal, we have to do practical things, like eating and sleeping well and getting enough sunlight. Sometimes trauma repeats itself because we haven't healed and we stay in places we should have left. It is not 'loyalty' or 'forgiveness' to remain in toxic situations and in environments that are destroying you. Reoccurring trauma is not normal!

I also want to encourage you to find creative outlets to express your pain and find healing. It doesn't have to be artistic necessarily, but it can be symbolic. Like breaking something that holds a tie to the event that traumatized you. What happened to you isnt your fault. But healing is your responsibility.

If you would like to stay connected with like minded community, we have created a Facebook group for you to join and feel involved: https://www.facebook.com/groups/reassembledlife