I take a very deep dive into my experiences of Hurricane Irma in the British Virgin Islands in 2017, and the aspects of those experiences which caused me to develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. PTSD is a condition that some, but not all, people develop after experiencing or witnessing a distressing or life-threatening event or injury.
I take a very deep dive into my experiences of Hurricane Irma in the British Virgin Islands in 2017, and the aspects of those experiences which caused me to develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. PTSD is a condition that some, but not all, people develop after experiencing or witnessing a distressing or life-threatening event or injury.
I discuss some of the symptoms that someone with PTSD may experience. I also discuss some of the additional symptoms that I had further to the storm.
Finally, I explore some case studies of others who experienced PTSD, and I talk about some of the ways in which treatment and recovery may be sought.
** Please seek professional help if you are experiencing the symptoms of PTSD, or think that you may be, or if you are experiencing another mental health challenge, or think that you might be **
Topics:
00:00:00 Intro
00:02:04 ** TRIGGER WARNING **
00:02:26 Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
00:03:02 Hurricane Irma
00:04:14 Real-life context of a category 5 hurricane
00:06:09 How I developed PTSD; Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, The Body Keeps The Score
00:08:14 PTSD symptoms and PTSD statistics
00:11:53 Other symptoms of PTSD
00:18:07 The morning after the day before
00:20:24 The following days
00:23:43 Evacuation and the airport
00:29:34 Treatment of PTSD and other mental health conditions
00:32:16 Bob Parsons, Founder of GoDaddy.com and PTSD
00:34:30 Case study of Terry an earthquake survivor, American Psychological Association
00:39:54 The need to seek professional help and treatment
00:40:05 9-step process and plan to managing and recovering mental health
00:40:50 Step 1: Have a schedule
00:41:14 The importance of making your bed
00:42:24 Step 2: Prioritizing rest and diet
00:44:07 Step 3: Exercising regularly
00:44:42 Step 4: Making social connections
00:45:26 Step 5: Practising perseverance
00:47:43 Step 6: Embracing the power of positivity
00:49:40 Step 7: Carving out downtime
00:51:15 Step 8: Seeking out professional help when experiencing a mental health challenge
00:52:05 Step 9: Practising acceptance
00:53:14 Conclusion
Online resources:
PTSD UK, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder stats and figures: https://www.ptsduk.org/ptsd-stats/
Singlecare, PTSD Statistics in 2023: https://www.singlecare.com/blog/news/ptsd-statistics/
American Psychological Association, Case Study Example: Terry, a 42-year-old Earthquake Survivor: https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/resources/prolonged-exposure-example
Megan Moog, New York Presbyterian, Understanding PTSD in Uncertain Times, https://healthmatters.nyp.org/understanding-pandemic-related-ptsd/#:~:text=You%27re%20not%20alone.,According%20to%20Dr
Imed Bouchrika, PhD, Research.com, 35 Scientific Benefits of Gratitude: Mental Health Research Findings: https://research.com/education/scientific-benefits-of-gratitude
The Week, Extreme weather events of 2023: https://theweek.com/in-depth/1021278/2023-extreme-weather
Book:
Admiral William H. McRaven, Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life… And Maybe The World
Note:
Whilst this show is about raising mental health awareness, I am not a medical doctor and am not qualified to give mental health advice. If you are experiencing any mental health issues, please consult a qualified professional.
The “Shuvra Deb: With You” Podcast is inspired and brought to you by Shuvra Deb.
Copyright Shuvra Deb ©
Contact:
Reach out to me with your comments on my show here: shuvradeb82@gmail.com