Overcoming Depression 101
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
by Jennifer Underwood Promoter
Jennifer Underwood 
Promoter
As a sufferer of PTSD, I feel it very important for people to understand what it is and that it is NOT YOUR FAULT!
I have many events that can 'trigger' my past events, but knowing how to overcome them has me take handle on them!
Jennifer Sasser
478-338-2469
NIMH
Does This Sound Like You?
Have you lived through a scary and dangerous event?
Please put a check in the box next to any problems you have.
Sometimes, all of a sudden,
I feel like the event is happening over again. I never know when this will
occur.
I have nightmares and bad
memories of the terrifying event.
I stay away from places that
remind me of the event.
I jump and feel very upset
when something happens without warning.
I have a hard time trusting
or feeling close to other people.
I get mad very easily.
I feel guilty because
others died and I lived.
I have trouble sleeping and
my muscles are tense.
If you put a check in the box next to some of these problems, you may have Post-Traumatic
Stress Disorder (PTSD).PTSD is a real illness that needs to be treated.
Many people who have been through a frightening experience. It’s not your
fault and you don’t have to suffer.
Read this booklet and learn how to get help. You can feel better and get
your life back!1. What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?
PTSD is a real illness. People may get PTSD after living through a
disturbing or frightening experience. It can be treated with medicine and
therapy.
You can get PTSD after you have been:
Raped or sexually abused
Hit or harmed by someone in
your family
A victim of a violent crime
In an airplane or car crash
In a hurricane, tornado, or
fire
In a war,
In an event where you
thought you might be killed, or
After you have seen any of
these events.
If you have PTSD, you often have nightmares or scary thoughts about the
experience you went through. You try to stay away from anything that reminds
you of your experience.
You may feel angry and unable to trust or care about other people. You may
always be on the lookout for danger. You can feel very upset when something
happens suddenly or without warning.2. When does PTSD start and how long does it last?
For most people, PTSD starts within about three months of the event. For
some people, signs of PTSD don’t show up until years later. PTSD can happen to
anyone at any age. Even children can have it.
Some people get better within six months, while others may have the illness
for much longer.3. Am I the only person with this illness?
No. You are not alone. In any year, 5.2 million Americans have PTSD.4. What can I do to help myself?
Talk to your doctor
about the the experience that upset you.
Tell you doctor if you have scary memories, if you feel sad, if you have
trouble sleeping, or if you are angry all the time. Tell your doctor if
these problems keep you from doing everyday things and living your life.
You may want to show your doctor this booklet. It can help explain how you
feel. Ask your doctor for a checkup to make sure you don’t have some other
illness.
Ask your doctor if
he or she has helped people with PTSD.
Special training helps doctors treat people with PTSD. If your doctor
doesn’t have special training, ask for the name of a doctor or counselor
who does.
Get more
information.
Call 1-866-615-6464 to have free information mailed to you.
You can feel better.5. What can a doctor or counselor do to help me?
A doctor may give you
medicine to help you feel less afraid and tense. It may take a few weeks
for the medicine to work.
Talking to a specially
trained doctor or counselors helps many people with PTSD. This is called
“therapy.†Therapy can help you work through your terrible experience.
Here is one person’s story.
“After I was attacked, I felt afraid, depressed, and angry all the time. I
couldn’t sleep or eat much. Even when I tried to stop thinking about it, I
still had awful nightmares and memories.
“I was confused and didn’t know where to go for help. A friend told me to
call the doctor. My doctor helped me find a special doctor who knows about
PTSD.
“I had to work hard, but after some helpful medication and therapy, I am
starting to feel like myself again. I’m glad I made that first call to my
doctor.â€Remember — you can get help now.
Talk to your doctor about
the event and your feelings about it.
Call 1-866-615-6464. It is
a free call. You will get free information about PTSD mailed to you.
Dec 23rd 2007 12:58
PromoterAs a sufferer of PTSD, I feel it very important for people to understand what it is and that it is NOT YOUR FAULT!
I have many events that can 'trigger' my past events, but knowing how to overcome them has me take handle on them!
Jennifer Sasser
478-338-2469
NIMH
Does This Sound Like You?
Have you lived through a scary and dangerous event?
Please put a check in the box next to any problems you have.
Sometimes, all of a sudden,
I feel like the event is happening over again. I never know when this will
occur.
I have nightmares and bad
memories of the terrifying event.
I stay away from places that
remind me of the event.
I jump and feel very upset
when something happens without warning.
I have a hard time trusting
or feeling close to other people.
I get mad very easily.
I feel guilty because
others died and I lived.
I have trouble sleeping and
my muscles are tense.
If you put a check in the box next to some of these problems, you may have Post-Traumatic
Stress Disorder (PTSD).PTSD is a real illness that needs to be treated.
Many people who have been through a frightening experience. It’s not your
fault and you don’t have to suffer.
Read this booklet and learn how to get help. You can feel better and get
your life back!1. What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?
PTSD is a real illness. People may get PTSD after living through a
disturbing or frightening experience. It can be treated with medicine and
therapy.
You can get PTSD after you have been:
Raped or sexually abused
Hit or harmed by someone in
your family
A victim of a violent crime
In an airplane or car crash
In a hurricane, tornado, or
fire
In a war,
In an event where you
thought you might be killed, or
After you have seen any of
these events.
If you have PTSD, you often have nightmares or scary thoughts about the
experience you went through. You try to stay away from anything that reminds
you of your experience.
You may feel angry and unable to trust or care about other people. You may
always be on the lookout for danger. You can feel very upset when something
happens suddenly or without warning.2. When does PTSD start and how long does it last?
For most people, PTSD starts within about three months of the event. For
some people, signs of PTSD don’t show up until years later. PTSD can happen to
anyone at any age. Even children can have it.
Some people get better within six months, while others may have the illness
for much longer.3. Am I the only person with this illness?
No. You are not alone. In any year, 5.2 million Americans have PTSD.4. What can I do to help myself?
Talk to your doctor
about the the experience that upset you.
Tell you doctor if you have scary memories, if you feel sad, if you have
trouble sleeping, or if you are angry all the time. Tell your doctor if
these problems keep you from doing everyday things and living your life.
You may want to show your doctor this booklet. It can help explain how you
feel. Ask your doctor for a checkup to make sure you don’t have some other
illness.
Ask your doctor if
he or she has helped people with PTSD.
Special training helps doctors treat people with PTSD. If your doctor
doesn’t have special training, ask for the name of a doctor or counselor
who does.
Get more
information.
Call 1-866-615-6464 to have free information mailed to you.
You can feel better.5. What can a doctor or counselor do to help me?
A doctor may give you
medicine to help you feel less afraid and tense. It may take a few weeks
for the medicine to work.
Talking to a specially
trained doctor or counselors helps many people with PTSD. This is called
“therapy.†Therapy can help you work through your terrible experience.
Here is one person’s story.
“After I was attacked, I felt afraid, depressed, and angry all the time. I
couldn’t sleep or eat much. Even when I tried to stop thinking about it, I
still had awful nightmares and memories.
“I was confused and didn’t know where to go for help. A friend told me to
call the doctor. My doctor helped me find a special doctor who knows about
PTSD.
“I had to work hard, but after some helpful medication and therapy, I am
starting to feel like myself again. I’m glad I made that first call to my
doctor.â€Remember — you can get help now.
Talk to your doctor about
the event and your feelings about it.
Call 1-866-615-6464. It is
a free call. You will get free information about PTSD mailed to you.
Dec 23rd 2007 12:58
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Comments
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Jennifer Underwood
PromoterI have a couple things that really triggered my PTSD. The situation with my x. But the biggest of all is my daughters near drowning. I can not watch anyone 'drown', or about to drown on a movie. The picture of her in the pool comes back to my mind and is so vivid. For so long I blamed myself for losing site of her..and it was always that WHAT IF WHAT IF that would tear me up. I still have some of those feelings that try to come back. But I replace them with IT DIDN'T AND SHE IS HERE, and I wouldn't of found her in enough time..if I wasn't paying attention. I had already looked in the pool, but she was at an angle that I could not see her. And ran all around my parents huge house to come up on the 'right' angle to find her. She had been in there for 2 minutes at the most! The blame from my parents and the looks I would receive from others...I just could literally hear them say...YOU ARE SUCH A SORRY MOTHER!! That year was such a rough year, because this situation happened exactly 2 months after my x tried to kill me. This is when my boss made my life so miserable...and literally told me to just forget about all that happened to me. And all of this led up to my major depression and attempt at suicide. BUT when I finally took hold of myself and took control of my feelings and thoughts....that is the power of over coming all of it. But getting there is the hardest place to get! Man, if I would've been here 2 years ago!! I am just glad that this group has been started because I know that someone is probably going through this right now. I just hope who ever you are, you realize we are here, and we know how you feel!!! Dec 23rd 2007 13:18 |
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Jennifer Underwood
PromoterThank you Rio! I know reading valuable information like this would have helped me a ton! Dec 23rd 2007 17:31 |
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David Schupbach
 Hey Jennifer! Thank you for sharing with us again! You know, sitting here reflecting on the roughest period of my life, after reading your post, I am reminded of several things.... First of all, let me say how much I admire you for going the self-help route. Actually I think self-help is involved in ANY recovery, but I too am one of those people who had to do it myself. Truly, a doctor's supervision might have speeded up the process, (and bought him a mercedes) but I figured "It's MY mind, I might as well be the one to fix it." I am not a PTSD sufferer, my trauma was just death in the family x 3, a cheating wife, divorce, bankruptcy, and loss of home. What I relate to in your story is the opinions of others. They weren't there, they don't understand the situation, yet they think they can judge! Yet whenever THEY make a mistake, there's always a 'good reason'! It's about this point when you begin to realize; My own opinion of me is what really matters! Did I do the best I could with what I had available? If not, how can I prepare myself to do better next time? Have I forgiven myself? For a short time I went to a Hypnotherapist. One of the things she told me has always stayed with me: "Don't worry about the things you are afraid of, They have already happened, so they will never happen again." Kinda obvious I guess, just one of those things I have to keep reminding myself of.... And my personal favorite: "I am a child of the living God. What could I POSSIBLY have to fear?" Merry Xmas everyone!! Dec 23rd 2007 18:26 |
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Jennifer Underwood
PromoterYes, Mo...I tried counseling..medicine...but the only thing that worked for me..was FINDING me..and realizing that I CONTROLLED this brain of mine! And letting go of the fear and negativity! It is just so amazing at where I am now..and where I was last year even. When you release those chains of burden, anger, and fear...not only do you feel lighter..but your mind is so free..and something that once would of been major, and make you tick in an instance....is just the complete opposite, and is nothing but minute and non worrisome! Worrying makes you old, inside and out. And the rate I was going..I was going to be ancient at 30! Dec 23rd 2007 20:02 |
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Cheryl Baumgartner
 Medical Billing/Coding/InsuranceThank you for the information. this is definately a misunderstood disorder. Most people recognize it as "Shell Shocked" and accept that combat veterans can be affected but think it is limited to vets only. Thanks for reminding people that it is not a soldier's only disease. Dec 23rd 2007 20:12 |
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Jennifer Underwood
PromoterYou are so very welcome. There may be so many that don't know what is going on with themselves that are indeed sufferers from this disorder. I understand what you are saying Cheryl, cause I at one time thought that vets were the only sufferers....but obviously found out differently. Anyone can be a less or worse sufferer..it depends on what has happened to you...BUT MAINLY how you and your mind 'reacts' to it!!! Dec 23rd 2007 20:17 |
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jeszica
 I have so many bad experiences haunting me up to this day. I try to relax and let go, but I couldn't. There were times I just wanted to leave the country and make a fresh start somewhere. I still do. I'm planning to go anywhere but Philippines. I don't think it's an escape. When the very things that confuse and anger you still confuse and anger you, I think getting away from those sources will help you ease the burden you have to carry every day. Dec 24th 2007 05:54 |
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Jennifer Underwood
PromoterJeszica..Thank you for sharing your story! This is a very serious issue to touch base on, and I will be praying for you and your situation! It is such a pleasure to meet you! Dec 24th 2007 23:21 |
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Jennifer Underwood
PromoterAnd Jes...yes 'getting away' from those burdens are the easier way of helping yourself. Unfortunately sometimes it is harder than others. But as long as you stay strong and fight, and surround yourself with as much beauty life has to offer you...everything else comes into play. Again, I will be thinking and praying for you!!! Dec 24th 2007 23:30 |
Biggest thing that has helped me again is self help. This does not work for everyone else! Talking about my situations, and 'getting it off my chest'..and surrounding myself with loving friends and family! Sharing your stories, and listening to others....helps you realize. YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!!
Dec 23rd 2007 13:01