Post Traumatic Stress Blog

“KEEP ON DANCING”

These words didn’t mean a great deal to me at first but just lately they seem to have carried me through life. They were first spoken to me by my good friend and doctor, you see  a long time ago I went through a very bad divorce way back in 1984 and then I went through the Hillsbrough Disaster in 1989,  after all this I had to spend a long time in hospital, they were dark days, and after my long stay in hospital.  I found that I had lost my job, I thought my world was falling apart.  It was then these words were first said to me by my friend and doctor,  He  said “you have to pick yourself up dust your self down” and “KEEP ON DANCING,” for some reason these word have changed my life,  I use these words every time an obstacle comes my way I say to myself, you just have to keep on dancing.

It seems to have gone full circle, since those dark days.  I have gone through life never being able to dance but  just recently, I made a decision It was about time I got off my backside and learnt to do just that DANCE.  I have recently joined a dance school and I am enjoying every minute of it, I find it is helping me to meet people and I feel I can get on with living my life again.

(This entry was passed to me from B. for posting, to help others look to the future.)

My hope is that this blog will be a forum for trauma victims, therapists and anyone concerned about the plight of someone who has experienced an extreme trauma. Each week I hope to write something that might be useful, but I would be delighted to hear of any topics that you think are neglected.

~ Dr Michael J Scott August 23rd 2008.

Post-traumatic stress disorder is like a boat on stormy waters, on board are not only the victim but also those dearest to them, all are under threat. The passengers each need to know what is going on and what they need to do. But the crew (the Mental Health Services) are very stretched, focussing on keeping the ship afloat rather than explaining. The passengers get very frustrated with little or no explanation and often turn on each other. Relationships become at best strained and some are thrown overboard. Navigating to safer waters becomes critical, but how to get there?

The crew clearly need their own Sat Nav. and in Simply Effective Cognitive Behaviour Therapy* are given just this. For the victim and those closest to them there is a self-help guide Moving On After Trauma published by Routledge.

Any comments on Moving On after Trauma or this blog would be appreciated, but I would also like to hear comments about other resources.

*(To be published by Routledge therapists later this year).