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By Scott Blake
ISBN: 978-1-84991-138-2
Published: 2010
Pages: 78
Key Themes: PTSD, trauma, mental health conditions, depression
Description
The book was written with a view to enlighten those with little or no experience of coming into contact with those unfortunate to be suffering with PTSD, or indeed those with PTSD wanting more information about their disorder. It was not meant to be a work that should be read from start to finish, but may be done so if the reader wishes. It was intended to be used as a pick up reference.
Extracts of the author’s life and own particular turmoil has been used to give clear and concise descriptions of some of the symptoms that go to make up PTSD. The book is not written from a medical view, nor is it a definitive article on PTSD (if such a work exists) but to put down in layman’s terms , words and phrases that one may hear when dealing with PTSD, in order to help form a clearer understanding of the disorder.
Certain examples of PTSD in given situations have been included to give an insight into what could be happening to the sufferer, without onlookers realising. There are obvious examples where onlookers cannot fail to notice that something is going on but not understand what. I have also included a glossary of terms in an aid to understand the jargon.
About the Author
Now in his fifties being born in 1957, a generation has passed since the traumatic events that ruined his life. Scott was a company director when he had his mental breakdown. Subsequent to that he had counselling by a Community Psychiatric Nurse and Scott’s past was discussed in great depth. It transpired that the traumas Scott faced all those years ago , when serving in the armed forces, had a terrible effect on him, unknowingly. That awareness of events long forgotten caused his life to completely change. Eight years after having the events exposed, in counselling, Scott was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, which relieved Scott from the madness his world had become, and highlighted his set of symptoms defining his PTSD.
Divorced from his first wife who could not deal with Scott’s behaviour, Scott lived several years on his own, until meeting his, now, wife Sarah, who has been inspirational in not only dealing with Scott’s behaviour but understanding PTSD.
John has four grown up children from his first marriage and has discussed his illness with all of them ,in turn. They have all been understanding about the disorder and gone on, independently, to try and find out more about the illness. It was a result of their difficulty in finding U.K. based information that led Scott to write this book.
Book Extract
So much has been said about post traumatic stress disorder and how it can affect a person in so many different ways. As a person who suffers with PTSD. I felt that it should be documented by a person who has lived with the problems of PTSD for many years in fact, to date, 32 years.
My first traumatic experience was in 1978 and I was 20 years old. My second traumatic experience was in 1982. Both events were totally unrelated and were as a result of my service in the Armed Forces.
How I became traumatized is not of great significance, it is the outcome of the traumas that I wish to concentrate on with in this book.
The book will deal with the fall out due to the traumas that I suffered with and will cover a range of subjects that effect people with PTSD. It will cover the major problems that sufferers have to deal with and highlight the difficulties that sufferers have to face, in order to try and lead a normal existence.
The subjects vary from being diagnosed with PTSD, to trying to understand how life goes on around you and not being included because of PTSD. I will cover a day in the life of a sufferer as seen through my eyes which will highlight not only the symptoms being experienced, but also show how difficult it is to function normally, when there are people all around, who do not understand what a sufferer is going through. These people can range from general nursing staff to doctors and psychiatrists. I was alarmed when having to deal with front line professional personnel (doctors, nurses and surgery practice managers ) who did not have any experience of my disorder.
From my mental breakdown to being diagnosed with PTSD took eight years. In all that time I thought that I was mad and was beyond help.
I have decided to split the book into three parts. One part is for ex service personnel, one part is for civilians and the third part concerns subjects that are as a result of PTSD and can be problematic to all sufferers. It should be recognized that the majority of ex service personnel do not regard themselves as civilians. As the book will show, it is a running battle for them to try and understand the civilian way of life
The brain is affected in the same way, whether the person is civilian or ex service. Research has shown this to be the case and I will deal with this subject later on in the book. It is my objective in writing this book that the readers will be able to refer to a certain chapter which may be applicable to them. It has not really been written to be read from front to back, but even so, if the reader does this, I hope it proves to be an interesting read.
During my research for this book I was dismayed by the lack of information in the U.K., yet there is an abundance of material in the American market.
It is my hope, as well , that carers of sufferers with PTSD, will be able to understand a little more and realize that they are far from being alone , in looking after a sufferer.
Some of the ways in which a sufferer develops PTSD are heartbreaking as they can involve sexual abuse in both adults and children. People with learning difficulties who are unable to communicate their emotions need protection as they are in the highest range of vulnerability and its is for that reason they should be closely observed to check for any unusual emotions or behaviour, that have not been present before.
Throughout the book I have used statistics to get a clear view of the enormity of the disorder. One particular set of statistics aside used concerning the judiciary system, I found to be most surprising. One third of those in prison today are ex service personnel. I am not saying that PTSD sufferers do not abide by the law, as the vast majority do, I am just trying to indicate the seriousness of having PTSD and show the way in which sufferers will go to, in order to hide away from the horrific memories, voices and hallucinations that go to make up their lives.
There has to be a time soon when PTSD is taken as a major problem for ex service personnel when leaving war zones .There is little to be gained by interviewing the service personnel as part of their leaving the forces routine. If they are suffering with PTSD they will probably not want to appear to be seen as weak, or they may be in denial ( see Glossary of terms) Similarly there must be greater awareness of the problem of PTSD in normal civilian life.
If you find yourself becoming distressed when reading through this book it maybe the start of a natural healing process. If your stress levels increase further, or you feel they are at an unacceptable level put the book down and try to do something very different to distract yourself.
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