Rob Leathen
Bio
As part of my PTSD/MDD rcovery I write. I write about all things PTSD related in an effort to help educate others.
Stories (6/0)
PTSD - The Truth About It
*** TRIGGER WARNING *** Given the circumstances that were absolutely beyond my control, I did my absolute best in a situation that was a no-win situation, at an emergency incident that was chaotic and caused by somebody else's morally wrong decision and senseless actions. That decision ultimately, very tragically, very traumatically, in a very graphic and gruesome way, took the life of an innocent person. That's how I feel...now...but for far too many years, they were not the feelings that dominated my thoughts.
By Rob Leathen4 years ago in Psyche
PTSD The 10 Keys To My Success
I, like so many 1st responders have been burdened, or gifted depending on your perspective, with PTSD and depression from a career of firefighting. I have been challenged to navigate this whole PTSD recovery process and have had some success. There are still many areas and aspects that I need to work on and address but I am moving forward which is always a good thing. While I’m not where I want to be, nor where I need to be I’m sure glad I’m not where I was. Everybody's mental health journey is unique to them as is their traumas, their therapy and recovery process, a fact I need to continually remind myself of. I've thought a lot about why I’m where I am in my mental health journey and believe the following things have directly contributed to that.
By Rob Leathen4 years ago in Psyche
Out Of Focus Puzzle Approach To Dealing With My PTSD Symptoms
PTSD is a mental health challenge that plagues many 1st responders and I was no different. 27 years of firefighting had left me battling it and depression burdening me with many of the common problematic symptoms that tend to come along with PTSD. There were intrusive symptoms, avoidance symptoms, alterations in cognition and mood and arousal and reactivity type symptoms.
By Rob Leathen4 years ago in Psyche
What's An EMDR Session Like
What’s it like using EMDR in a therapy session to deal with a problematic incident? My therapy session starts like every other previous therapy session, with idle chat with my therapist about how my previous week was. The conversation has nothing to do at all with any of my previous incidents I have responded to and not even about the current things we’re working on. Regardless of the topic of conversation I immediately feel at ease and comfortable, a feeling that comes from being in this office with my therapist and at this welcoming judgement free clinic, my safe place. It’s a feeling I look forward to as I travel to my appointment even though I know how my session will end.
By Rob Leathen4 years ago in Psyche
My Love/Hate Relationship With Stigma
Stigma, the sound of that very word strikes anger in many of us burdened with mental health challenges. It also strikes fear in many others and is one of the more significant factors in stopping many with mental health challenges in actually reaching out for help.
By Rob Leathen4 years ago in Psyche
