What PTSD Is

[ysabetwordsmith]

Here's a brilliant post about the kind of PTSD that builds slowly, a pervasive shift in worldview, rather than the kind that comes from a sudden major shock.  This is how it can form in people who aren't front-line soldiers but rather support crew, or cops, or people living in poverty or neglectful relationships.  

Now look at the part where it talks about society not being a safe place, everyone's out to get each other, no trustworthy connections, no safety net if something goes wrong, nobody to care if you live or die.  That's what we're making our world into every time we cut public services and support.  We're making it more like the place inside a PTSD sufferer's head.  "Every man for himself and devil take the hindmost" isn't a society.  It's madness.

Comments

Re: Yes...

[siliconshaman.livejournal.com]

You know, thinking about what I do... I'm in the position of yelling 'Fire!' when most everyone else seems intent on ignoring the smoke. [Ok, except for a percentage of the people on my f-list that is]

I'm coming to the conclusion that this is not working, either as a means to fix matters or helping me. It's feeding back into my own issues. [PDSD, prolonged duress stress disorder, similar but not quite.]

But I hear what you are saying as well.. that we're just building sand castles here really. One cannot build a healthy personal environment in a toxic society, at least, not for long.

I think then that there aren't too many options left. Either to opt out altogether or to give up, lay down and die metaphorically, [or possibly literally if one really gives into despair.]

I think I need to think about this.

Re: Yes...

[ysabetwordsmith.livejournal.com]

>>You know, thinking about what I do... I'm in the position of yelling 'Fire!' when most everyone else seems intent on ignoring the smoke. [Ok, except for a percentage of the people on my f-list that is] <<

Frequently true.

>>But I hear what you are saying as well.. that we're just building sand castles here really. One cannot build a healthy personal environment in a toxic society, at least, not for long.<<

There are some steps that can be taken, but the people who want the world in ruins have more leverage than the ones who don't.

>>I think then that there aren't too many options left. Either to opt out altogether or to give up, lay down and die metaphorically, [or possibly literally if one really gives into despair.]<<

When I have the energy and opportunities, I work on making the world a better place. When I don't, I step back and wait to recharge.

At least I'll have the satisfaction of standing in the foyer-ever-after and saying, "I fucking told you so." I may not be able to stop the bastards from creating one catastrophe after another, but I can make them work for it.

Re: Yes...

[ideealisme.livejournal.com]

" I'm in the position of yelling 'Fire!' when most everyone else seems intent on ignoring the smoke."

Or in my case, that I'm taking the fire way too personally and need to have a more resilient spirit. Funny, I don't think resilience ever worked as a fire extinguisher.

I had a year of being unable to deal with the population of my country not giving a sh*t about the way they were being treated about mental health. Then, at some stage, I burnt out myself. Perhaps that's no bad thing. Artists change society through art - campaigning by itself isn't enough until you have artistic power behind your words.

Re: Yes...

[ysabetwordsmith.livejournal.com]

>>Artists change society through art - campaigning by itself isn't enough until you have artistic power behind your words.<<

Sometimes I sign petitions or do other activism. Sometimes I write stories that are generally positive, even if they have gritty parts.

Then there are times when I lose my temper and release things that can really hurt people if read by legitimate targets.