Having written several articles about the stressors of PTSD, I have learned more every day about this debilitating condition. As I have lived this ill-sighted fate, my introduction to a greater fear has been the idea of being transparent about what I hold inside and who I can share those feelings with on any emotional stage. For the veteran, exposing his dark side saddles him with the prospect of being judged and ill-advised. Being accustomed to hiding feelings, the veteran wears this mask of pretense to be someone he’s not. This worn shroud of emotional camouflage protects the veteran from inhumane ridicule that renders a feeling of insecurity, doubt, and sometimes shame. As a result, the veteran becomes his enemy and suffers through the attacks perpetrated by an assortment of other onlookers who could care less about the damage done to undermine how severe trauma can be.
These stories are familiar but seldom believed by those who matter most. However, those people choose to appease and nod when convenient to pacify or guess this condition. Being the cover of a book I wrote is my direct testimony of how actual this condition can be. This book explains how damaging PTSD can be and how this condition destroys the lives of those who can never be themselves while falling victim to an illness that never seems to end. As I want to be honest and above board about my struggles, it isn’t easy to portray an image of truth when I am constantly hiding how I feel and why. PTSD, like any debilitating condition, travels quietly throughout the brain until something triggers emotions that often spirals out of control. A burdening reality that brings about shameful reactions forces isolation and a deepened sadness. By definition, transparency allows light to pass through so that objects behind can be distinctly seen. By comparison, the effects of PTSD prevent that light from moving through and distorts the image of those most affected.
Writing this article is a healing agent and compels me to face my condition head-on. Knowing the problem helps me treat the pain with every emotional tool I can muster. The book is available on Amazon.com or through this website.
This Article was Last Updated On: February 6, 2022