Post Traumatic STRESS Disorder (PTSD)
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Posted By: Ann Mack on April 21, 2019 April 11, 2019 Finalized April 15, 2019 During a session with Margaret Lilly Simmons of Lilly Acupuncture & Wellness on Wednesday, April 10, she asked me a series of questions which led to a discussion about Post Traumatic Syndrome or Stress Disorder (PTSD). Amazingly enough, I have, literally, dealt with and endured a great deal of disappointment and pain in my life 💔 over a number of years. I actually remember telling God, "please let me get over one disappointment, trial and tribulation before you hit me with another one!" My trials were taking place one after the other and the tribulations were mounting! I seriously wondered how I was coping and staying afloat through it all! Ironically, if I didn't share my story, no one would ever know the depth of my pain to understand who I am today! So, after sharing some intimate details with Margaret, she not only apologized for her line of questioning; but, she thanked me for trusting her enough with my story to allow her to treat me. Honestly speaking, I felt a little chatty; overly to be exact - in my mind! But, God has been teaching me and instructing me about the importance and purpose of TRANSPARENCY. Society, unfortunately, teaches us to suppress ALL of what is thrown at us unless specific individuals are able to control the outcome to receive credit for the building up or breaking down of our character. Our opposition (enemies), those who attack us and oppress us, want us to keep quiet and never reveal our feelings to include the impact of their actions toward our overall well-being; the impact to our physical and mental health. And, there is an intricate connection whether we refuse to accept it or not! TRUTH, unfortunately is not respected, but denial and lies are encouraged! Many people don't want to be held accountable for or believe just a little bit that there may be a connection or distinct correlation between an individual's overall health and the impact of our environmental (atmospheric) experiences. Someone once stated, "you didn't grow up in the (deep) south to experience racism to have such a passionate concern and yet, you are able to articulate the pain as though you were not only present during that era but slavery too!" However, my ancestors lived it and their DNA runs through my veins! Yes, we are living in a different era and the current year is 2019, but the mindset of people in how we interact and disrespect (as well as bully) one another hasn't improved all that much! Pain is pain; no matter the era! Some of us have simply gotten better at ignoring it or choosing other alternatives to numb the pain while others look away. Look at how high the suicide rate has climbed amongst adults and children to include the increased use of opioids! People, often times, want us to be personable, but only when and if it benefits them. For instance, a former supervisor wanted me to believe I was either antisocial or racist because I opted not to engage during social events within the workplace. But, what about the mental torture to me? How can you feel comfortable and personable with folks who care nothing about you as a fellow human being. People talk at you, but never to you while plotting your demise (failure) in the name of business to benefit themselves at all costs? In many cases, their only reason for wanting you to be apart of a socializing event is to gather Intel they can use against you later. Some social events are used to foster a false sense of trust as well as to reenforce the break-down of hierarchy in setting boundaries between the leadership and the help. Or perhaps, your presence was needed to ensure they didn't have to go far to look for you at the conclusion of the event when it was time for you to be volunteered as part of the clean up. Yes, it sounds morbid; but, TRUE! No, not everyone looks down upon you in treating you so inhumanely, but it puts you on guard to want to protect yourself! At work, on the street, around family and friends you see the similarities as it is being taught universally. And you wonder why people are so stressed out! There is an end and a limit to mostly everything! So, what was the million dollar question, in summary, as asked by Margaret Lilly Simmons? Do you think you have healed (emotionally)? That was so profound! Why? Because she made me understand how emotions are trapped in our blood to cause stagnation! With stagnation comes blockage. With blockage comes the interruption to the flow of circulation! Nonetheless, my response was, "Yes! Today, I am able to give my testimony without crying 😢 or falling apart." To the contrary, as I think about it, is that really a viable sign that I am "A" okay? My pain simply didn't disappear or go away! Have I constructively dealt with the issues of my offenses or was I simply managing! But, to treat my symptoms which started the 2nd week of February 2019 to manifest within my body as an intense headache with cranial pressure and numbness to the left side of my face to include the expelling of bleeding and blood clots from my left nostril, she needs to know the root cause and extent of my physical and mental injuries not visible to the naked eye. In other words, what am I holding in or compressing? After Wednesday, my conversation with Margaret Simmons to include the conversations I have had with Dr. Marcia Boyce Levi make so much more sense to me now! These women, who are medical professionals, don't just treat the physical body, they treat the invisible wounds and scaring imposed upon the SPIRIT; the whole person. Our DNA is imprinted in our blood and our experiences which affect our emotions create memories. Those memories evolve and take shape by getting coded in our blood along with our DNA. As offenses pile up, big or small; they strike at the core of your existence to add weight that needs to be released. That which has not been settled can be reawakened by similar offenses (new ones) to trigger old memories of emotional pain and trauma. PTSD is often thought of and associated with combat fatigue; but, many of us are experiencing a different kind of war. The battle of life and (chronic) physical or mental stresses leading to spiritual warfare is real! As outlined in something I read, symptoms of PTSD may result in or include: withdrawal, nightmares, unwanted memories of trauma, avoidance of situations that bring upon unpleasant reminders, anxiety (panic attacks) and depression. What wasn't mentioned is high blood pressure, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction, temporal arteritis, and the possibility of a stroke and heart ❤️ attack. To elaborate, healing is not just about addressing the visible scars! Your experiences, trials and tribulations concerning how you PROCESS information as a coping mechanism has a direct impact to your health. You may see yourself as being strong 💪 as so do I; but, the constant hits of compounded emotional trauma created by stressors leaves an impression on your body. Being burdened and stressed sends signals to the brain that something is wrong. Enzymes are discreted in an attempt to heal the body, but there is no evidence of a foreign object or invasion that needs to be evicted or eradicated. High blood pressure develops. The development or presence of inflammation is also a sign of dis-ease in your body that is often ignored. In some cases, the immune system triggers inflammation as a healthy response or reaction indicating the presence of injury or infection. The accumulation of inflammation causes greater damage over time if not treated accordingly. Things have most certainly taken a turn within the workplace. Nothing is as it was when I graduated from high school and thought about integrating agmonst the more mature working class while continuing my education. There was the feeling of being apart of an extended family of team members who pulled together to encourage one another. Today, there is an unspoken display of ownership as if you were purchased at an auction to be used as disposable damaged goods at will. You are told you should be grateful to have a job regardless of the unrealistic expectation. And, there is a growing awareness of turf wars and under the table back alley deals being waged with people as pawns. Too many people are getting caught in the cross fire as they become casualties of war. They are getting hurt or destroyed and tossed to the side or thrown out with the bath water to be replaced by the next unsuspecting hire unless they are brought in based on association (nepotism). No matter the position as dictated by the world's way of conducting business, there is a DIVINE ORDER and EXPECTATION under the son! Signs, discussions and training concerning INSIDER THREAT is on the rise. As defined, an insider threat is a THREAT to an organization that comes from people within the organization to include current and former employees, contractors and business associates who have been privyed to inside company relative business and operational information. But, what about the malicious insider threat to employees as directed by the organization thus participating to the presence of PTSD within employees? What about the need for change concerning employee relations to deal with and to eliminate the bullying? What about streamlining the manner in which the offices (or organizations) are structured to reduce the stress to employees? PRAY 🙏 for the OVERALL well-being of others! Sincerely, Dr. Ann Gwen Mack REFERENCES: https://www.cnn.com/2019/04/12/entertainme... https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/what/pt... https://youtu.be/zwibgNGe4aY Nepotism: the practice among those in positions of leadership with power and/or influence of recruiting and favoring relatives and friends. When triggered by stress, an enzyme attacks a synaptic regulatory molecule in the brain. If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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Ann Mack
Management Analyst, US Department of Energy University of the District of Columbia class of 2002 Member Since May 2008 |
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