PTSD Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: It's Okay to Ask for Help

By Edgar L. Maroon

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: It's Okay to Ask for Help

At least once in their lifetime, more than seventy percent of Americans will experience a disturbing event. An estimated twenty percent of people who share a stressful experience may also have post-traumatic stress disorder. Get help. Never give up!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Mar 28, 2023
• ISBN: 9798887519470

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PTSD Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

It's Okay to Ask for Help

Edgar L. Maroon Jr.

ISBN 979-8-88751-946-3 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-88751-947-0 (digital)

Copyright © 2023 by Edgar L. Maroon Jr.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Foreword

Introduction

Chapter 1: Significant Effects of PTSD on Everyday Life

Chapter 2: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Chapter 3: PTSD and Sexual Assault

Chapter 4: Treating PTSD

Chapter 5: PTSD Triggers

Chapter 6: Flashbacks

Chapter 7: A Variety of Factors Can Cause PTSD

Chapter 8: Suicide and PTSD

Chapter 9: Survivors

Chapter 10: Things You Should Not Say to Someone with PTSD

Chapter 11: Service Dogs

Chapter 12: Stories of People Living with PTSD

Chapter 13: There is a connection between heart attacks and post-traumatic stress: these are disorders that you need to be aware of

Chapter 14: Understanding PTSD: A Guide for Family and Friends

Chapter 15: Never Give Up!

The Wrap-Up

Acknowledgments

About the Author

We dedicate this book to all people living with PTSD.

Foreword

PTSD Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: It's Okay to Ask for Help is an easy-to-understand guide to PTSD. This excellent book may help Military service members, veterans, and their loved ones recognize the primary symptoms of PTSD and the available resources. PTSD, left unchecked, can lead to a disruption of the service member's life, destroy relationships, or lead to suicide. In 2019, 6,261 veterans died by suicide—that's still over seventeen veterans a day that lose their lives. Providing resources, information, and guidance may put control back in the hands of the individuals affected by PTSD symptoms. Gunnery Sergeant (GySgt) Ed Maroon Jr. (Ret) wrote his book to save others from the pain of PTSD. GySgt Maroon decided to take on his PTSD and jumped into his treatment with everything he had and completed EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) treatment for his PTSD. Through his therapy, he learned much about PTSD and its effects on individuals and their families. He is passing along his lessons learned in this book to help others manage PTSD symptoms, find hope, and assist others in their struggle with this disorder. EMDR led to him taking back his life. He can go to restaurants with his family and enjoy it. He reports more good days than bad with a higher level of satisfaction in his daily life and relationships by successfully managing triggers and symptoms and advancing his coping skills. I am happy to recommend his book as a hands-on guide to better understanding veterans' PTSD.

GySgt Maroon is often seen wearing a Marine Corps T-shirt with his fantastic and energetic service dog Katy; together, they are quite the team. With Katy at his side, he's managed to work through many of the PTSD symptoms he felt and engage in the world again. On several occasions, he discussed the high statistics associated with PTSD and veteran suicides. Back then, twenty-two veterans a day were losing their lives to suicide. It was difficult for him to discuss veteran suicide rates, and he decided to help. I witnessed the pain and heartbreak he feels for veterans of all ages suffering from war wounds. His return from Vietnam was not met with parades, accolades, or fondness. He was met with ridicule, hatred, and harsh judgment. He managed through his heartbreak and rejection, but seeing other veterans break and fall into despair was even more difficult. This book is a testament to his dedication to all those who serve and their loved ones. If he can reach one service member to tell them I am here for you and It can get better, then his book is a success.

I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), and the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) has recognized me as a National Certificated Counselor (NCC) and Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC). I have extensive training in trauma-related therapies, including being a certified EMDR therapist, and I opened a group practice called EMDR Trauma Therapy Center in Fleming Island, Florida. I am a disabled veteran who retired from the U.S. Navy after twenty years of honorable service, and I recommend this guide to help others learn about PTSD.

Jeannie Mitchell, LMHC, NCC, CCMHC

Introduction

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

More than 70% of Americans will experience a worrying event at least once in their lifetime. An estimated twenty percent of people who share a stressful event may have post-traumatic stress disorder, officially diagnosed as a mental health condition in 1980. Trauma experienced while serving in the military can cause PTSD.

Everyone's frame of mind responds with a fight-or-flight reaction at some point