(Intro Skit)

(album: PTSD - 2019)

It's not uncommon when people come in for them to describe to us that they've been experiencing atypical behaviour
They've been acting badly, erm, acting in ways that aren't like themselves
Erm, and this is not uncommon for post-traumatic stress disorder and there's a number of reasons why
First of all people with PTSD often have, erm, hyperarousal
It's a hallmark system with PTSD
Where they've been in a dangerous situation once and their body is on red alert waiting for something else to happen
And so it's constantly scanning for threats in the environment

People with post-traumatic stress symptoms often attempt to take care of their problems on their own
First by avoiding what reminds them of their trauma
Erm, but if that isn't working well people drink
Erm, they use substances, they misuse substances as a way of coping
When we misuse substances, erm, people often behave badly
They get involved in activities that they shouldn't be

If enough of that happens, often a spouse or child or significant other parent will say "Hey you really need to change your behaviour"
Or "I'm not gonna stick around any longer"

We frequently hear, erm, people come in and say to us or their family and friends tell us, erm, the person just doesn't seem like themselves and doesn't feel like themselves
And that could be an indicator that you might need help
Erm, it's common after trauma to feel out of sorts, to be having trouble sleeping
Erm, and those symptoms sometimes go away on their own but often they do not
And when they don't, erm, we're here to help