My Story of Hope - I am a Suicide Survivor and Mental Health Warrior - Part 3.

Read day 1 here: https://rly.pt/3unCyzK
Read day 2 here: https://rly.pt/3vHUaXd

My enemy was strong, but I was stronger. Today, I am stronger still. Oh it tries to slip back into my life, behind the lines, creeping there, like an assassin in the dark. It tried to make its way into the crevices of my life that I thought were safe. Sometimes, a car horn will send my PTSD to the forefront of my brain. It doesn’t surrender, but neither do I.

Memories are ingrained in us, you can’t erase them and they are nearly impossible to forget since they are a compilation of our experiences. PTSD knows this loophole and waits to strike; sometimes silently lurking in the back and sometimes obnoxiously screaming in your ear. It might wait to strike when your defenses are down or it might strike you at a moment's notice when you thought you were protected from it. PTSD does not care about who you are, what you have done or your future goals. PTSD will strike again and again with no inhibitions.

But I am resilient. I sought help and it led me to the place where I am at today. The PTSD still visits and tries to catch me off guard. It sneaks those dark thoughts into my head and manifests itself in different ways. It is not something that I can control or push out of my head because my memories are a part of me. However, when it does come creeping back and ambushes me, I know just what to do.

If you or someone you know is struggling, please get help now. Tell a loved one. Tell a friend. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: [login to see] . If you prefer to talk online, visit the veteran crisis line here: https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help/military-crisis-line