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When PTSD catches up

by Jonathan Arenburg
The Road To Mental Wellness > Mental Health > When PTSD catches up

Jonathan Reginald-Nixon Arenburg (Born January 14, 1976) is a Canadian Counsellor, mental health blogger, speaker, and published author. 

Jonathan Arenburg

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When PTSD catches up, how do you handle its wrath?

Let’s face it, life doesn’t stop doing its thing. It will always come with its ups and downs, and that’s simply part of the deal. Sadly, these rules still apply for those with mental-health conditions. Of course, I can’t speak for everyone, but I can for myself. So here it goes life’s hard, my friend and recently, I have had my fair share of the harsher side of things.

Thing is, right now, I don’t feel that bad – despite a breakup and my son’s accident. I should be wrecked, right? Well, I’m not, but it has not yet sunk in for me. Fear not, it will when PTSD catches up. Then, it will hit me.

Checkout Al Levin’s Podcast, The Depression Files

Being witness to so many critical incidents, I have built a disconnect from tragic events, not the good kind, either. In fact, I have no armour whatsoever. No, what I’ve got going on is an unhealthy dose of disassociation and apathy – both symptoms of PTSD but protective in a sense. I liken it to a sort of power-down mode, designed to protect what’s left of me.

Despite resembling a zombie at times because of it, make no mistake, when PTSD catches up with me, I will “feel” once more. It may take a day or maybe even three, but it will hit me and hit me hard.

Symptoms of PTSD

When it hits it will literally take me out of living. For how long, is anyone’s guess. all I know is that I will retreat from the world and live within the safety and quiet of my bedroom. This ever-busy world is just too much, especially when life throws me a few curve balls. It essentially creates the perfect mental illness storm.

Read Nightmare’s aftermath

If this sounds like you, don’t despair. This need you feel to seclude yourself will pass. When PTSD catches up with you, it will be hell, but hang on – you WILL get through it… Stay strong.

Need help? Go to Our Mental Health Resources Centre

Learn to Manage and Thrive

  • His lifelong battle with depression
  •  The benefits of exercise
  • How to start to overcome the dread and exhaustion of depression
  • How small steps make huge differences
  • Scientifically backed techniques to help minimize depression, anxiety, and PTSD’s effects
  • How to set boundaries with yourself when you have a mental health condition·
  • How to optimize living your life with these debilitating mental illnesses.
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Jonathan Arenburg

Jonathan Reginald-Nixon Arenburg (Born January 14, 1976) is a Canadian mental health blogger, speaker, and published author. Retired from the fire service and long-term care fields, he has written and self-published an autobiographical account of his life-long battle with anxiety, depression and more recently, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Titled, The Road To Mental Wellness, he wrote it for what he calls “therapeutic release.” He published it in hopes it would help others going through similar mental health conditions. The sales of The Road To Mental Wellness have been steady selling over 300 copies since its release on October 10, 2021(World Mental Health Day). Arenburg has also been involved in a collaborative publication Called Lemonade Stand Volume III, a book featuring 20 authors who bravely tell their stories of PTSD. All authors where from the military and or emergency services. Published by Joshua Rivedal and Kathleen Myers for the i’Mpossible project, a mental health advocacy organization. Jonathan has also appeared on several mental health podcasts including The Depression Files, A New Dawn, and The Above Ground Podcast Arenburg has also consulted with the Government of Nova Scotia and the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, the Honorable Brian Comer and Candidates for the New Democratic Party of Canada, on improving the mental health care system in Canada. Additionally, Jonathan was recognized in The Nova Scotia Legislature by the Honorable, Chris Palmer, Kings-North MLA, for his Book, The Road To Mental Wellness, his fight to make the mental health care system better. In addition, Chis acknowledged the support he gives to others.

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