If you’re anything like me, you associate PTSD with our military. Those brave men and women who witness things we can never imagine. They keep us safe, they sacrifice their lives for ours. It makes sense that they would come home with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Then I received that diagnosis. I was horrified, and angry at both my psychologist and psychiatrist. How dare they misdiagnose me with something only our military can have? I’m a civilian! I’ve never been to war, I know nothing of the nightmares they’ve undoubtedly lived through. My nightmares are nothing in comparison.

They both took time to try to educate me about PTSD, and eventually I could be more objective about it. To be honest, I’m still ashamed of it, and I still feel guilty. I understand that I meet the requirements for this disorder, but I have always felt like I’m taking something away from our heroes.

I’m sharing this because I know I’m not alone in this, and I feel it’s important for people to know they aren’t alone. When we know others share our feelings, our struggles, it helps lighten the burden a bit. It can even bring us hope. So, if you share in this struggle, I see you, and I’m here for you.