“As a First Responder who was injured after being assaulted while on duty, I had significant difficulties accepting my PTSD diagnosis. With my anger intensifying as I tried to rationale what was happening, I felt lost in a very confusing, spiralling and surreal scenario.
By the time I started at Chronic Care Australia, shame and embarrassment had started to develop, my pride was hurt and I was struggling. I wasn’t happy taking medications, I didn’t want to attend group therapy, and it felt like I had failed at some level. Coming from a sporting background, and my adamant reluctance to attend group therapy, my psychiatrist felt an exercise based therapy approach would be a beneficial alternative treatment.
On my first attendance at Chronic Care Australia I sat in the car of the car park for quite some time wishing to be anyone else except me. I was worried about being judged and branded, and I didn’t know what to expect, but, I believed my attendance there would be better than attending group therapy.
Upon walking into Chronic Care Australia, the feelings of shame and embarrassment escalated, I wasn’t happy filling in the mental health questionnaire, my guard was up, I felt extremely uncomfortable, I was battling to control my anger and I was using everything I had not to turn around and leave.
On my first attendance Chronic Care Australia the staff were smiling, friendly, welcoming and assuring. I didn’t feel judged. They were respectful and understanding of my physical, mental and emotional presentation. They displayed a very high level of knowledge, and they told me I was welcome to bring my pet therapy dog who I had recently commenced a partnership with.
The activities at Chronic Care Australia allowed me to ‘burn off the extra energy’ in a safe and controlled environment. The physical challenges provided me with the opportunity to focus, and I was able to spend time working on meditation skills. Talking to the staff as I exercised provided me with the opportunity to slowly build a rapport, and I found myself engaging with them more readily and openly as time progressed.
Attending Chronic Care Australia at a set time and on a regular basis provided me with the opportunity for routine and commitment. Engaging with other clients also helped me with the acceptance of my diagnosis. Chronic Care Australia became a place of sanctuary, it gave me a sense of belonging as I worked to improve my physical, mental and emotional strength, and I found myself driving there on a couple of occasions when things felt particularly tough.
I now know what causes my PTSD triggers, and this knowledge, coupled with the realisation that my fight/flight response creates an adrenaline rush which causes feelings of anger, has assisted me with the management of my condition. I can not find the words to express my gratitude to Chronic Care Australia. It was during my time with them that I gained clarity of my triggers. I now understand, together with the assistance of medications, my PTSD can be calmed through exercise, with the ‘softer’ mindfulness activities assisting once the adrenaline fuelled energy has been released.
I am now back at work as a First Responder and am feeling increasingly more confident with the management of my PTSD as time progresses. Through the journey of understanding, acceptance and management, I am now grateful for the levels of wisdom and empathy I have gained through my experience.
After my time at Chronic Care Australia, and the significant benefits I have gained, I would highly recommend it to others who may be on the path that I have shared.”
FIRST RESPONDER, CARE CLINIC CLIENT