What is PTSD? (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)

I did multiple tours of combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. All I want to say is I acknowledge and own my PTSD, you can still have a wonderful life.

I actually have undergone EMDR (where she used a vibrating balls in each hand instead of the eye movement) but I found it so helpful! I was surprised at how emotional I got during it, but after a few days when i thought back to the memories we worked on, I had no emotion connected to it. Before that it was extreme anger and sadness but now I'm indifferent which feels WAY better. I would definitely recommend it!

Saw a young child killed right in front of me when I was 9 years old. I didn't even know the girl but I've never forgotten the scene all these years later. I can still see her dying right in front of me. 😢

YOUR DRESS IS SO CUTE

Basically PTSD is just a traumatic event that overwhelms our ability to cope. That’s how I explain it to people who ask why I act the way I do without explaining the situation.

i got diagnosed today with PTSD.. i wish everyone heals <3

#katiFAQ how do you deal with your parents constantly calling you lazy and making you feel bad. When in reality it took all of your energy to even get yourself out of bed or just function and keep yourself together?

I suffer from more than one mental disorder. Starting with PTSD, OCD, Avoidant personality disorder (e.g., inadequacy, sensitivity to criticism), Addiction (e.g., video games, general media), body image problems, lack of affection and adoption issues. Welcome to my world. This is why I've decided to study both psychology and philosophy in my undergraduate and study medicine (psychiatry) for my graduate. Many people like me suffer from such things and there are very few people out there that can help. Life sucks at times but I know it can be better if only I can heal my mind.

I grew up in an abusive environment and developed PTSD in my 30's, lucky for me, mine involved blackouts because the last major episode I had, I best describe as 'a public display of humiliation' I thankfully don't remember it, but because of it, I was able to trace my pattern back to where it all came from and took on my own therapy and have since overcome it - woohoo!

I love that you are so inclusive. Using “we” and “us” like you are with us. I appreciate that

PTSD sucks, but treatment is helpful over time. I've tried talk therapy, EMDR, and neurofeedback...and all have been helpful in their own ways. Thanks for this vid Kati! xx

It does go on forever.... it is how you deal with it in life...

Being in a cult has most likely caused my PTSD, from the horrors I saw, and what happened TO me.

I was just diagnosed with PTSD but I know I've had it for a long time I just started breathing techniques to relax before we go into the trauma.

The way you talk about difficult things while being quirky and whimsical like you are makes these videos easier to watch and think about. You seem genuine yet professional. If I were to see you I feel like I could actually open up in a way that Ive never been able to

I've been in therapy for years but I just told my therapist about a trauma I experienced and this video was really helpful! you make such great content

Great job with these videos!! I'm in my second year of a Clinical Psychology PhD program and I've pretty much studied for my midterm next week with all your videos. So much better than reading the book again or going over my notes one more time. You've provided a well needed change in the way I study for a couple of minutes. Thanks!! Keep them coming!!

EMDR has saved my life. I will be getting licensed in it in a few years as soon as I get my LPC. Halfway there!

Thanks for the quick but thorough over view of PTSD, and the ways to cope and work on it.

I was diagnosed with PTSD despite not meeting the first criteria of the trauma having to be violent in the case of real or threatened injury or death. I went through severe emotional abuse at the hands of a close friend who then replaced me, abandoned me, and stalked me online for a few months. I never once felt I was in real danger of being physically injured or killed but it made me an extremely paranoid and depressed person afraid to leave the house or interact with anyone I didn't already know. The psychologist who owned the practice handled my diagnosis and felt I met the other criteria to such an extreme that I received the diagnosis anyway. He was of the opinion that trauma does not have the be physically violent. I am still dealing with the ramifications today and cling to the one friend I have as though I'd die without them. I understand the irrationality of this but it doesn't stop the nightmares, the flashbacks, the panic and anxiety, etc. Every day I remember what happened, every day I watch for signs that it's going to happen again. It's exhausting. I used to be a social, happy person that easily made friends. Now I avoid new people as much as possible and regard everyone bitterly. They can't be trusted, all of them will eventually leave me. Again irrational, but a single event completely warped my mind and totally changed me as an individual. That is Trauma.