"I was just born this way."
"I have a chemical imbalance."
"This depression thing is out of my control."
"I'm trying--but this is something I just can't seem to shake off."
If any of the phrases above sound like something you've thought or said out loud--you are NOT alone. In fact, "depression" is one of the most commonly diagnosed "illnesses" in the United States of America. It is also one of the most highly preventable yet highly medicated issues in our country--and really not just in our country, but all over the world.
What is so challenging about this whole "depression thing" is that there is a lot of information out there, and it is really hard to know what is "true" and what is "myth" or "propaganda". This episode of the show we are going to work to shed some light and provide some clarity on the subject--as well as discuss how to take back your power and avoid this issue all together.
Why though...why are we talking about depression?
The "ugly D word" is an issue we hear about so frequently--especially from the caregiver point of view. This issue is also comes up with other names...fatigue.... burn out... frustration... confusion.... chaos.... helplessness... failure...may the good Lord have mercy, this issue has so many names we can't even begin to cover them all.
What we know to be true in our own lives--and that is backed up by evidence in the lives of others, scientific studies and ancient truths taught by life transformation experts the world over is this: no matter what name anyone gives this thing we call depression, the problem is never solved by focusing on the problem. Focusing on the problem merely creates more of the same problem.
BUT! Don't take our word for it--let's call in an expert or two...
The first of which journeyed for 24 years before finding true and total healing--and now is able to call herself 100% PTSD-free. She is also passionately dedicated to helping others find their healing. Her name is Michelle (pronounced mee-shell) Rosenthal, founder of healmyPTSD.com and radio host for "Change you Choose". Her bio is below (taken from healmyptsd.com):
Michele Rosenthal, CPC, NLP, CHt
Founder, www.healmyptsd.com
Radio Talk Show Host, ‘Changing Direction’
Advisory Board, Hope4PTSDvets.org, St. Clair Butterfly Foundation
Faculty Member, Clinical Development Institute, Timberline Knolls
Wondering why I care so much about PTSD, and what qualifies me to talk about it as much as I do? Here’s the answer…
In 1981 life really shocked me: I was 13 years old when I found myself struggling to survive Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis Syndrome, a freak allergy to a medication that turned me into a full-body burn victim almost overnight. None of my doctors had ever seen a case. By the time I was released from the hospital 3 weeks later I was a very different girl. The kid I had been was gone. The girl in her place was a complete stranger.
It didn’t take long for insomnia, intrusive thoughts, nightmares and flashbacks to set in. I didn’t tell anyone. I was determined to go back to who I’d been before my illness, so I avoided all mention of my trauma, pretended the past was behind me and ran as fast as I could into the future.
Within 5 years I was a complete and total insomniac, anorexic, melt down mess. Over the years everyone thought I was a difficult teenager, and then a temperamental artist, and then just a really moody woman. The therapists my parents forced me to see didn’t recognize my classic symptoms of PTSD.
By my mid-twenties the stress of constant hypervigilance and hyperarousal, the lack of sleep, the unrelenting on-the-go lifestyle I lived so that I did not have to be alone with my thoughts began to entirely undermine my health. By the end of my twenties I was very ill: my hair was falling out, my liver, stomach and small intestines were in various stages of dysfunction. I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease, and possible liver cancer (both of which turned out to be false, psychosomatic symptoms). By my mid-thirties I had developed advanced osteoporosis because, unable to get the nutrition it needed, by body pirated the minerals in my bones.
Still, none of the specialists or psychologists we consulted and with whom I worked recognized my symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress. In desperation I began to do my own research. It was my proactive, self-empowered search for information and help that led to my PTSD diagnosis. Finally, after 24 years of living without understanding what was wrong with me, I had a name for my insanity.
Receiving my diagnosis was only the beginning of my healing journey. Literally, the journey took me from New York City to Palm Beach, Florida. In the end, it required 10 modalities and quite a few practitioners to get me to where I am today: 100% PTSD-free.
Now that I’m on the other side of healing I’m devoting my career to giving back and pulling together all the information anyone would need to discover what there is to know about symptoms of PTSD, treatment options and the path to feeling better. I share what I learn all over this web site, and also in my weekly newsletter. You can subscribe to Heal My PTSD for free to have this info delivered straight to your inbox.
Here’s how Heal My PTSD came into existence:
Me and my dance partner, John
I learned a lot during my PTSD recovery. I learned about the importance of hope and belief – from inside myself and from those working with me. I also learned about the critical element of self-empowerment and how we can harness its strength and apply it to PTSD recovery.
By the time I came out of the dark PTSD fog I’d learned a lot about what it takes to release the past, connect to the present, and build a new future. I’d also developed a really deep desire to do something with all that knowledge. I began blogging about my recovery; people responded. We got into conversations and I realized that the best thing I could do with what I learned was give back. And so, www.healmyptsd.com was born. I built the site I wished I had when I was diagnosed: something easy to read and full of information about PTSD symptoms, PTSD treatment options, and PTSD recovery support. Read about my personal posttraumamatic stress disorder history and mission.
The response to Heal My PTSD was overwhelming and positive. It didn’t take long for me to understand that this site was only the beginning of my post-PTSD journey. In order to really be equipped to give back I’d have to become professionally certified to help people. So that’s what I did. In order to become a PTSD Coach I studied to practice as a Certified Professional Coach, Certified Hypnotist, and Certified Neuro-Linguistic Programmer. Basically, I learned how to help survivors access their healing potential through methods that empower, strengthen, and harness the creativity of both the conscious and subconscious minds.
Now, as a mental health advocate, professional keynote speaker, award-winning blogger, award-nominated author, workshop/seminar leader and certified professional coach I use my personal experience, education, professional training and research to help survivors learn to cope with, manage and strategize the PTSD recovery process. Geez, I love my job! Partnering with survivors to help them take back their power and learn to live with courage, confidence and imagination gives me a sense of joy as powerful as letting me loose on a dance floor.
Here is an amazing piece on Complex-PTSD and whether or not it can be healed: http://www.changeyouchoose.com/what-is-complex-ptsd-can-it-be-healed/
More information can be found about Michelle here: http://www.changeyouchoose.com/about-michele/
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Our second guest is known throughout the Military Community as "The Direction Diva" and has been honored as Fort Carson, Colorado's Military Spouse of the Year for 2013 & 2014. Her name is Judy Davis and her bio--taken straight from thedirecitondiva.com--is below:
As a Motivational Speaker, Author, Lifestyle Blogger and Advocate I LOVE sharing my life and providing support to the military community all over the world.
My mission is simple:
To support, inspire and motivate military spouses
In addition to being a resource for today’s military communities I working with companies, organizations and brands to develop effective strategies for connecting with and serving the unique needs of today’s service members, veterans and their families. I become the bridge to the military community that companies are looking for and can do so in the following ways:
As an active duty military spouse and involved military advocate I understand the needs and challenges of our community and can provide the insight and expertise you are looking for. Whether you are a military spouse in need of direction or a company trying to understand and serve this community I can help.
5 Things About Judy’s Experience You May Not Know
- We traded in our “corporate” life to become a military family and support my husband’s dream of serving as Active Duty in the US Army during wartime after his 19 year break in service.
- My love for speaking began over 10 years ago when I was a successful leader and trained a team of over 1200 consultants with a well-known Network Marketing company. (Yeppers, I earned the car
) - I successfully juggle the daily demands of being a military spouse, mom, empty “nest”er, puppy owner, army wife, first time grandma and menopausal diva with owning and operating 3 small businesses, an active online community, and a blog.
- I have learned to create boundaries, deal with devastation, find balance and step up in a supportive role when faced with some of life’s biggest challenges and often share these true stories when I speak or write in hopes that my experiences will help someone else.
- I have been an Entrepreneur and empowerment specialist for over 18 years creating businesses that were both successful as well as one HUGE complete failure that led to financial ruin only to come back stronger and more resilient.
Take some time browse the site, and then connect with us in a way that works for you. Our side bars are filled with great resources, and you will find links more T.I.P.s on my Facebook Fan Page and in the posts on my Blog .
I’m honored to be in your space and on your radar and I look forward to supporting you on your journey!
I’m honored to be in your space and on your radar and I look forward to supporting you on your journey!
Judy Davis
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We are so honored to have these brilliant, marvelous, passion and incredibly dedicated women on our show!
Looking for more ways to stay connected...
Twitter: @BattleBeyond -or- @BattlingBAREFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/BattleBeyondRadioShow -or- facebook.com/BattlingBARE
Blog: http://battlebeyondradioshow.blogspot.com/
E-mail: producer@blogtalkradio.com
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