mitsanuk
Wigan
Bio: I left the RAF in 2015 following 20 years as a frontline paramedic. It has been an amazing career but then found myself suffering because of this. My blog exists as an outlet for me as well as a place for others to read and try to understand the mind of someone with PTSD. Please feel free to make comment on any post and lets raise some discussions on how we can help to end the stigma which surrounds mental illness. Thank you for taking the time to read this. Please follow and share in the hope my experience will help others.
michellesandersonptsd 
Hi Michelle
My name is Lewis McKay and I suffered from PTSD when I returned from Afghanistan in 2010. I spoke to a charity called Talking2Minds and I have never looked back since. I am 100% certain that they could also help you? I would seriously be interested in speaking to you in person and getting you in touch with the right people.
I look forward to your response.
Regards
Lewis McKay
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Hello Lewis,
Thank you very much for getting in touch, I really appreciate your time.
I have to be honest and say I’m extremely sceptical of some of the charities. However, I would be prepared to meet with you and talk to someone else who understands where I am right now.
If you would like to send me an email to: stigmaorenigma@gmail.com we can arrange something.
Pleasure to meet you.
Michelle xx
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Hi Michelle
I saw you on this morning tv
I was amazed at how the Speakmans managed to help you. I found I had panic attacks after my Mum died after I had cared for her for 10 years(she suffered empysema) and cannot go out still without my dog and headphones on. always feeling anxious in shops/ crowds etc. it would be so nice to learn a technique to finally be able to go out by myself and do normal things. I guess the meno isn’t helping things either!
I know my trouble is nothing like you suffered i understand but any tips be so welcome
Thanks so much
Nigela Scott
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Hi there I have been of work now for some time with ptsd so much I will like to say be nice to see you i am leigh so not far from you…. trust me I know how you are doing its so hard bit let’s have a chat
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Hi there Thomas, I hope your doing ok. Great to connect with you on Facebook xx
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Hi Michelle,
I never had the privilege of working with you but wanted to say how amazing it is that you are raising more awareness of PTSD. My partner has suffered quite badly within the past year thankfully DCMH have helped him through this. I think that you are so brave and if you ever need a chat with someone who may understand what you’re going through please contact my other half through me. (He is a serving RAF Medic)
Take care xxx
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Thank you Angela, very much appreciated. Im glad your husband has made it through the other side of it. Just proves it can be done xx
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Michelle. I saw you being interviewed on the television. I am retired now but I was a hypnotist and psychotherapist and treated a couple of people with the similar problems to yours. There are a couple of techniques that I feel would help you and I would like to help you. If you want to talk to me, please email me on shirleylovett@me.com and I will explain more to you and then you can choose whether to ring me or not. Best wishes Shirley.
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Thank you so very much for your message and offer of help. I really do appreciate it but I would ask for a little time to come down from the last few days before I consider my treatment options. So very kind of you.
Warm regards
Michelle xx
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Hi Michelle,
I have just watched you on the news and had to find you. You have totally touched my heart. I cried my eyes out watching you. You, are an inspiration in yourself, It’s people like you that make me proud of what we once were. You deserve all the help and acknowledgement you get, seems like it’s hard for you at the moment. But I sincerely hope it gets better.
I have no idea about PTSD but I know a hero when I see one.
God bless you x
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Hi Michelle, I can help you overcome your PTSD. Please email me at mail@michaeldarbyshire.com.
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Dear Michelle,
We are Healing Hands Network a charity of 19 years standing and we offer help by way of holistic complementary therapies to those affected by war and its aftermath www,healinghandsnetwork.org.uk ,
We work in the UK with Combat Stress and SSAFA and attend their local support groups offering these therapies at no cost to the veteran or serving personnel who need it. We would be delighted to offer it to you too. You can email us and we can talk further if you are interested. Meanwhile well done for raising the profile of PTSD and the suffering that is happening to many people and really needs much more acknowledgement and action.
Very best wishes and thank you for everything you did while serving your country and colleagues so well.
Sue
Director HHN
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Hi Michelle
I saw your report on Granada this evening. I’d like to say that you should be so proud of yourself, highlighting this issue is really important and must have been extremely difficult for you. I am part of my local Royal British Legion branch in Lostock Hall Preston. I know you have said in a previous message that you are sceptical of charities however, the legion is made to help and assist people like yourself so please consider getting in touch (either local to you or feel free to contact us if you’d rather) There’s so much we could do, get help for you or just be a general support.
Thanks
Nic
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I saw the feature on you this evening and felt compelled to contact. You are both brave and inspirational, I hope you’re proud of yourself. Stay strong and don’t let the buggers get you down…
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Hi Michelle. First I just want to thank you for everything you have done for the guys and girls out there, you guys are amazing at what you do. I myself have done four tours of Afghanistan as a chinook crewman so I completely understand how traumatic the IRT shouts can be. I have been signed off and downgraded from flying at the minute as what I have seen over the years has inevitably got to me. I would be really interested in talking more with you if you feel that you can do that? You can find me on facebook. Look after yourself, speak soon I hope x
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Hi Michelle. Thank you so much for speaking out about PTSD – a brave thing to do and really very helpful and supportive to others affected. Please know you are not alone, there is help and therapies that have worked and helped others and you can feel so much better with this help. I say this as I am on that path too and life is getting better and better.
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Hello Michelle, having just seen you on ITV News at Ten, I do feel for you, I myself being an ex sniper suffer with PTSD, I did go to see a councillor on my own back, I never got any help from the government, but it didn’t help I live my life very privately, I’ve come realise no one understands. I have often thought of taking my own life many times but at the end of the day is it worth it? I just take everyday as it comes to be honest. Please look after yourself at least you have your mother, me I have nae family whatsoever, I’m completely on my own. Take it easy pet.
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Hello Michelle, I saw your story on TV and was very moved by your dignified honesty. I am a teacher of 40 years standing who has been interested in anxiety in children and how it can be helped. My researches and experiences have led me to believe that NLP methods of addressing all kinds of problems work best. This is particularly true for those related to anxiety. I believe that these are the way forward because the therapies do not rely (as do some counselling practices) upon keep going back to revisit the dark and painful places (like repeatedly picking at a scab). Instead they focus on the future and readjusting your thinking to empower yourself to bring about change. I would urge you to seek out an NLP Practitioner that you feel that you can easily relate to. That is the most important thing. Try out with meeting a few different ones first before making a choice of therapist. You more than anyone deserves a bright future. It IS out there. I hope you find it.
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Hi michelle,
I saw your new sclip tonight, i really hope you find your path through this.
I wanted to write, not only because youve earnt the respect you deaserve , but also because the sleep issue you described sounded very sinilar to sleep paralysis. This is where you believe something is on your chest and freeze in fear because something awful is happening to you. But really you are between awake/dream states. I dont know about ptsd, but im sure it will effect sleep, maybe this is another angle you can look at, because understanding it more and changing sleep routines (room/opposite end of bed/sleep later/extra exercise at night) can help resolve it.
If you would like to talk about anything, you are welcome to contact me!
Hang in there!
AD
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Hello Michelle my name is peter I would never of herd of you unless I’d seen you on Tv I was poisoned years ago by sheep dip and my body went into shock. When I listened to what your experience had done to you I see massive simularitys it would be nice to talk too you as I do believe these illnesses are connected all the best and take care peter.
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Dear Michelle
Just talking to someone else that has been through the Same experience of a basically instant change of body mind because of a massive traumer too you and your mind can make all the difference believe me if you have not been through it your self you can’t understand know matter what people tell you. I’m part of aclosed group that has been a great help to me and all have been effected by ptsd and other various mind and physical altering illnesses mostly through chemicals but with understanding the effect is the same. If you would like too contact me me give me a email I understand as do many others going through the same its a battle hanging on to what you have now with the way you feel the way your body is fighting against you and know one understanding but never give in if all genuine people pull together we can do it and get justice.what has happened to you me and other people in certain occupantions is wrong take a look into it if you get time . Its all the same Aero toxic poisoning op poisoing cfs me ptsd its the body getting too much too cope with whether in life our with what the body is taken in through breathing or dkin pours but the result is the same it can’t cope so our minds react the same way we back off from life because we know it is hurting our selfs but we know we have resposnsabilitys like husbands wife children that’s were it goes wrong because know matter what the now is what matters what is going on in our family’s not what happened then or what’s going to happen tommorow live for know I talk about it and people do but for some reason I can’t but I hope you could and will in time take care and try too open your eyes to what is in front of you as you live not at was there before or what could happen in the future
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I have PTSD but mine is coz of my up bringing and I am 30 and I have suffered from PTSD for 6 years and I still can not cope with the flash backs and hot and cold sweats all the time I have been trying to find out how to get some more help from the mental health but I don’t think I can get the help I need. But there should be help given to u as your a HERO.
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Hi Michelle…well done for the ITV News piece….we have emailed you regarding PTSD Veterans Retreat CIC(Linkedin) / Jack’s Place on Facebook…… hope you would be interested in getting involved….Very best regards, (used to live at Hindley Green after RAF…PTSD since 70s).
Mac and Jack the Project mascot.
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I saw your interview last night on the itv news. I just wanted to say I was touch by your story and I wish you all the best and I hope you and others get the help you need. Thank you for all you have done for our country
Juliexxx
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Thank you so much Julie xx
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Hi Michelle,
I saw you on itv news and your story touched me. I have worked with people with mental health illness (anxiety and depression) and know that it is a serious problem. But there is a hope and you can get better. I believe more in unconventional methods of treatment like tuning your brain to think of peace and tranquillity, walks and relaxcation excersices. Wish you to recover soon. you are a HERO. If you want to chat feel free to contact me.
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Hello Nushka, Thank you so much for your message. I find running quite therapeutic although the act of running isn’t the best thing to be fair! As I move forward im sure I will find further coping mechanisms which will settle my mind further. All the very best, Michelle xx
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Hi Michelle saw you on the news tonight and like so many found you to be truly inspirational, making a positive out of one of the most heart and mind breaking experiences an individual can endure. My partner came home with PTSD, he tried to commit suicide a few times but still did not receive a diagnosis for PTSD simply described as having symptoms of Ptsd. 7 years on we are just about getting there. I lost my first partner (not in the armed forces) and have faced losing another but together the future looks brighter, we have two children who have suffered their father’s heart ache but they have healed him in parts too. I think the hardest thing he had to do was let go of the person he used to be and try to make something better of the person he had become.The things that he had experienced he could not control – events – but he strives to do something about the person he wants to be, and values every bit of achievement he makes. Some days are worse than others but also some days are better than others its all about how you look at things I suppose.
Never underestimate that the strong person you are presenting as on TV /publicity has always been there, that’s one thing your experiences have not taken from you. Good luck with the future I wish you all the best with your campaign.
Eoanna
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Hello Eoanna, I am so very sorry to hear your partner returned home with PTSD. It is difficult enough for the sufferer but what people don’t consider is that it is also extremely difficult for loved ones also. Its a terrible illness to live with and requires so much strength. I intend to fight it at least to a point where I can now live with it instead of just existing with it. I wish you and your partner all the very best with your own journey.
Very warm regards
Michelle xx
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Hi Michelle,
Been watching your interviews
on the news, just wanted to pass on some details of 2 organisations the first one is based in Warrington and goes by the name of Blue Apple set up by Mark Smith and his wife, the other which is helping me is based in Preston and is called Dig In nor t h West, I am also down Leigh every Saturday at Pennington Flash parkrun so would be happy to meet for a brew and a chat.
Kind Regards
Rob
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Hi Rob, I am aware of Blue Apple and I have linked to their Twitter and Facebook page. I would be more than happy to meet for a brew sometime. Perhaps whilst walking the pooch at Pennington. Thanks so much for taking the time to write xx
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I’m down there most weekends, post run we meet at the cabin near the toilet block, usually around 0945 I will be there this Saturday and easily recognisable as I will b r dressed as a banana (don’t ask) lol maybe you would like to try parkrun one weekend it’s a 5k run every Saturday at 9 am and starts down th ed track where the canal is xx
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I might just do that banana man 😉 xx
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my running days are over, arthritis, joint pain, newness has worn off eh.
I sent a message about helping people with PTSD as I am a Hypnotherapist NLP EFT Practitioner. not had any one asking what it is about though?
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Michelle, if you would like to spend a few hours with me please do, I want nothing in return. I work with the homeless, drug users, mental health, I have worked in many environments, Hospitals both private and NHS Psychiatric units, Hostels, wet houses, et me help you! call me lets chat a while 01612820675 tonight is fine, and I am off Thursday. love n light.
I WISH TO SAY THIS, IF YOU CAN SORT A VENUE I WILL GIVE A DAY OF MY TIME.
I am a EFT, AND NLP Master practitioner, plus Hypnotherapist. I have offered my help but no one seems to take me serious!! I am going to be working with a man and a woman, two soldiers with this MINDROT DISEASE, and I say mind rot because it takes the persons mind and destroys it slowly, I am willing to spend time with a group of people with PTSD, I do not care how many I would just need a PA system, and some ears to listen to me. If it helps one person stop taking there own life it will be a victory, I am serious about this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cQ5nqRGHg4 go to 13 mins and 10 seconds, wait till the three hercs are in shot dispatching in sim sticks, I was one of the blokes in the middle herc, I was TA no I never fired a shot in anger, I am a lucky man. my quals are at http://www.bodymindandspirit.co.uk. Here IS A FEW ITEMS WROTE ABOUT ME. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME STAY POSITIVE AND LETS SEE IF I CAN HELP.
Transforming families and changing lives
Clinical Hypnotherapist Shaun Thompson is on a mission to encourage people to talk about problems that may have affected their lives for years, so that they can move on and lead a life of optimal emotional health.
With Christmas fast approaching, there is a potential for stress and anxiety levels to increase while many people struggle to cope with financial, relationship and emotional problems. Shaun is keen to encourage people to face their problems and take positive steps to improve their lives.
The Manchester-based therapist uses clinical hypnotherapy, Neuro Linguistic Programming and Emotional Freedom Technique to help his clients overcome a variety of challenges from anxiety and anger management to addictions, weight loss and relationship problems. He also works with teenagers who are struggling with anxiety and stress because of self-esteem issues, exams and bullying.
In order to work with more clients, Shaun is now working as a mobile therapist and visits clients in their own homes. He also has the option of using a very relaxing environment of a therapy room to which he can hire by the half or full day 5 mins walk from the Metro station nr Brooklands in Sale He says: “By seeing people in their own homes I am immediately reducing their stress levels and ensuring they feel comfortable and secure in their environment, so that the treatment I give them is even more effective.” Also having the use of professional therapy room’s clients who wish to be seen in a private environment can do so.
Clients who have been treated by Shaun report remarkable changes to their lives. One client said: “Shaun has transformed my family, that you may think is quite a statement but he truly has. I contacted Shaun when my son, ???? Was suffering from anxiety, low self esteem and had so many hang ups and fears that his life was at a standstill, he was only 11 years old, Shaun used his hypnotherapy skills and my son was a different child. And he has gone on to be given an award. He got the award for overcoming adversity despite the difficult start to his secondary education and achieving impressive grades in GCSE’ s
“Shaun helped again when ???? was being bullied and his anxieties were paralysing him to the extent he couldn’t go to school, once again after a session with Shaun the change was miraculous and continued to improve over a period of time, Shaun came again later and helped ???? With his fear of exams. Since then Shaun has helped my eldest daughter with her hypnotherapy skills with her anxieties, fears and extreme anger, which like her brother we discovered stemmed from her childhood. Once again what a triumph! Since then both my sisters have had sessions with Shaun, my eldest regarding anxiety and self-esteem issues and my youngest sister over bereavement and anxiety problems, both are so happy and confident now.”
“Shaun has a ’gift’ it isn’t just his hypnotherapy skills that come into play during a consultation its also his wide ranging skills in alternative therapies and his life experiences. I would not hesitate and in fact do not hesitate to recommend him to people I speak to who say they are struggling with life issues whether it is smoking, anxiety, depression or low self esteem to name but a few of the many things Shaun can help with! Shaun is an amazing gentleman, and a truly outstanding practitioner and without his help I do not know what I would have done.”
Another client successfully stopped smoking after 35 years after treatment with Shaun. She said: “I found it very helpful and easier to quit than other methods having tried them all! Shaun’s hypnotherapy sessions completely eased the withdrawal symptoms for me making it possible for me to quit having been a smoker for 35 years, it has been worth every penny and the support afterwards has been really nice and helpful keeping me on the straight and narrow.”
Another client turned to hypnotherapy to help face and deal with childhood issues.
She said: “Shaun helped me deal with memories I wasn’t able to deal with on my own, some of my memories were buried very deep and had began to fester until this man pulled them out and helped me face them and put them to rest.”
Shaun added: “Christmas and New Year can be among the most stressful times of the year for many people. By talking about problems and unravelling them, people can move forward positively and face the challenges that are holding them back, and look forward to a fresh start in 2015.”
Shaun can be contacted via his website http://www.mindbodyandspirit.co.uk
ENDS
Note to editors: Shaun is available for interviews, photos and to discuss his work. We have access to testimonials and case studies. Please contact him via email xxx xxxxx or phone xxxxxxxx
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Thank you so much for your very kind message and offer of help. My head is in a whirl currently after a few busy days so if I may take some time to consolidate everything and perhaps get back in touch? Warm regards, Michelle xx
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Hi Shaun, I feel your frustration. I have also been achieving outstanding results with PTSD using energy therapy and NLP but can’t get anyone to take me seriously. There is so much in the media about raising awareness of PTSD and trying to overcome the stigma but very little about what therapies actually work to alleviate the suffering.
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Hi thanks for message, we only ned to look at Gary Craig to know EFT works and works well, I also feel people who have it tend to shy away from these therapies, and some are not interested in using them because the system does not endorse them, I worked with Heroin users for some time, it works nd it works well, and yes BLOODY FRUSTRATING. can you imagine having a football ground full of 40.000 people all with some issue or another, and using EFT NLP over there PA system, I wonder what the percentage would have marked improvements after a half a days sessions. Ah well as usual we wait and we remain frustrated. stay well.
Love and Light Shaun.
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Hi Michelle,
I watched your interview last night on the national news, if I am honest I sat in tears as I saw a mirror image of my life 14 yrs ago… I was a member of the RUC and like yourself and many others was exposed to events which in truth haunt me to this day. I like yourself felt that I was forgotten by the system and very much left to my own devices after my medical discharge. I was put in touch with an organisation which did CBT. I found this extremely helpful in enabling me to find a way through what was a horrific time. I know that I am 14yrs on from you on my journey in living with PTSD and I can assure you that it will get easier. I would be glad to talk with you at any time Michelle and give you any help or direction possible.
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Hi Gary, thank you so much for opening up about your own journey with PTSD and for your offer of help. I have already found comfort from all the messages I have received from all of you. Its great to know there are people out there I can approach when my journey takes turns I am not ready for. Truly appreciate that xx
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Hello Michelle
My name is Michael Dackombe .
I had watched your interview on TV the other night, and felt I needed to contact you, I hope you don’t mind.
As I am suffering from PTSD from gunshot wounds to the head whilst serving in Northern Ireland, I understand to a degree how you feel, as each person’s suffering is different.
I have had this condition for 35 years, along with other traumatic things that have happened in my life.
I am, government officer, and last August I had breakdown, whilst working in a very pressurised government team, for the last three years, and I am currently on long-term sick, and may not return to work before the end of this year, in November last year I was assessed by the welfare officer for combat stress and I am currently waiting an outpatients appointment to be assessed for psychiatric counselling which could be a long-term situation.
I feel the same painful feelings and dark thoughts that you are going through, and feel that there is nobody out there who gives a dam, about how our situation, especially the people who put us where we are today.
I have some good friends and good ex Army colleagues, who are there for me.
It is comforting to know that I am not only the only one out there? .
Thank you .
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Hello Michael, I am sorry you to are suffering with PTSD. It is very difficult to live with but hopefully as you say, you find comfort from knowing your not on your own. Thankfully we can support each other by talking together. I truly hope your battle settles down and you find some peace along the way. Very warm regards. Michelle xx
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Hi Michelle I was really moved by your story and above all else your honesty. I’m sure you have been overwhelmed with offers of help albeit not from the RAF where you so loyally served. I do hope you find your peace of mind and thank you for treating our lads & lasses on the front line. I, as a civvie am truly grateful.
Take good care if yourself
God bless
Xx
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Hi, thank you for taking the time to write to me, your thoughts are really appreciated.
Warm regards
Michelle xx
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Hey Michelle,
I hope your well and coping with all the publicity as I can imagine it could be quite overwhelming. You certainly have raised alot of awareness about PTSD which is long overdue and it must have been quite a brave thing to do. The offers of help are incredibly touching and I guess for you choosing the right one is critical.
I have been working with a colleague to find a way to getting some of the techniques mentioned above recognised by the military to not only be used on veterans but on existing personnel especially during training in order to cope better when faced with trauma. If we could demonstrate the effectiveness of these methods, which has been done in the US and to some degree here, we may be able to start being proactive instead of reactive to trauma.
There are a lot of people who are working behind the scenes trying to do this and it is an uphill struggle and if it’s something you would like to be part of, it just might be the start of a new beginning for many sufferers and hopefully the preventative for many personnel signing up.
Feel free to email me and we can have a chat in more detail if this is something you are ready for. Whatever you decide, I really wish you all the best and hope you find the peace of mind you deserve.
Best wishes,
Karen
Karen@be-epic.co.uk
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Hiya Karen, Thank you for your message. It sounds like you are trying to help the process. What is it you think I could get involved with? Happy to consider helping out, perhaps you could email me at stigmaorenigma@gmail.com xx
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Hi Michelle
it has been a few years but I hope you remember me, we went through basic training together. I just wanted to say thank you and well done for doing the ITV report. I too have been med discharged due to ptsd and back injuries and have not felt helped or cared for in any way, forgotten basically.
I really hope that this will help get you the help you deserve. There are a few charities that are fantastic like combat stress Etc. My problem is a lot Of them don’t provided services over here in Northern Ireland but you should contact them And make use of the other offers above which you have now been given.
It would be great to catch up and have someone who understands, the two Michelle’s together again lol Just find me on Fb.
Take care and keep up the good fight. God bless xx
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Hiya Michele, so lovely to hear from you. I’m really sorry to hear you are also going through the same journey and struggles obtaining help. Keep fighting the fight though Mrs and thankfully we can help each other. I have hopefully linked up with you on FB now so we can keep in touch xx
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Hi Michelle, I served for 18 years in the British Army and despite being diagnosed with PTSD after Gulf War 1 nothing was done. I had treatment for six years with Combat Stress and until the leadership changed at the treatment centre i felt i was making progress, unfortunately a guy took over and when i complained about disabled access he stopped me going again.
Despite all this i found my own outlet through poetry and all i can say to you is that you will find a management technique for you, it will take time but you can find yourself again.
Good luck and God bless
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Hi David, I am sorry to learn of your own personal journey with PTSD but very glad that you have found an outlet for it. I am sure I will find further coping mechanisms to keep me on track. I am not naive enough to know it will go away completely but as long as it is manageable I will be content with that. Many thanks for your message xx
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Hello Michelle,
I was very moved by your television interview yesterday. I have a background in Social Care and understand the isolationism associated with mental health conditions. especially when many people would fail to understand the fears, anxieties and nightmares that go along with the darkness you must be feeling.
I was very drawn to contacting you to offer my help and support. I am a practitioner of Traditional Japanese Integrated Medicine, it is an ancient system of healing that allows for the mind, body and spirit to be brought back into balance and this will allow you more able to function and cope with your daily tasks in a much better state of well-being. This is a very natural form of medicine and does aggressively harm a persons body in anyway, many modern medicines are very aggressive on the mind and body, which per-longs the healing process.
I know I can be of great help and support to you and people who might have similar issues.
if you would like to know more about this and to talk to me more directly please contact me on my e-mail mark62@fsmail.net .
With the greatest of respects
Mark Burge
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Hello Mark, many thanks for taking the time to write to me. Your offer is extremely kind but please don’t be offended when I say I need a few days to settle following a very overwhelming few days. I need to settle down and refocus before I can make any decisions on moving forward. I truly appreciate your offer and for taking the time to write xx
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Hi Michelle, my partner and are are licensed NLP practitioners and Hypnotherapists I am writing to ask if you have sought out any information as to how our type of therapy could help with your situation. We regularly see clients who have suffered traumatic events and because of this their experiences develop a range of stress and anxiety symptoms. Our work centres on detaching the memory from emotional attachment to the trauma, drama or situation that has previously occurred. Please contact us direct should you wish to discuss getting yourself back to just being the true you again, before these experiences took over your life. Looking forward to hearing from you Colette McQueen & Colin Lambert.
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Hello Colette, Thank you so much for taking the time to write to me. Bizarrely I am an NLP practitioner also and use the ‘anchor’ method regularly. I need a few days to come down from a very overwhelming but humbling few days before my head will be in a place to move forward. I will give your offer serious consideration though and thanks again xx
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Hi Michelle,
Not sure if you remember me, but we served together at Valley. I missed your interview on the news (have caught up with it now). My mum saw it and said it could have been me talking as everything you said and described is me. I was diagnosed with PTSD in Nov 2013 by Combat Stress and attended their 6 week program. It has helped a lot as I now understand what PTSD is and how to try and deal with my triggers and emotions. It would be great to catch up with you and maybe we can chat?? Who knows we may be able to help each other!
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Hi Lucy, I am so sorry to hear you have also been on a journey with PTSD. I hope you are now in a better place and able to manage it now. Its a tough long journey but I’m determined to get to the end of it successfully. Feel free to look me up on Facebook (Michelle Partington) xx
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Hi Michelle,
My name is Carl Jackson. I live in Lincoln and work as an Integral eye movement therapy practitioner. (Not to be confused with EMDR, eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing).
I saw your TV interview and applaud you for speaking out, I am fully aware how difficult that is especially for military personnel.
I have worked extensively with PTSD including serving and none serving military personnel.
IEMT was developed within the last 10 years and is proving to be arguably the fastest and most effective technique with trauma.
One of my clients was an ex royal marine who had been captured in Iraq and held captive for 9 day. You can guess the rest. He, as yourself had highly complex PTSD from several tours.
We had a great outcome, this was 15 months ago and he is still doing well.
If you’d like to learn more about this stuff please visit http://www.integraleyemovementtherapy.com
You may find a practitioner near to you.
If you’d like to contact me by email, please do so carl@subconsciouschange.co.uk
I wish you all the best and keep up the great work. Hopefully more of those needing help will follow your lead and come forward.
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Hello Carl, Thank you so much for taking the time to write to me. I will take a look at the website you suggested. I truly hope more come forward also. Warm regards, Michelle x
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Hello Michelle,
I wanted to contact you after the report i saw on the ITV News. I work for the Military Veterans Psychological Therapy Service, we work in different areas all over the north west and we cover Wigan. We are an NHS Service that provides a range of different evidenced based treatments to Veterans suffering from a wide range of mental health difficulties. You can self refer via our website http://www.penninecare.nhs.uk/military-veterans and we aim to respond to referrals in 3 working days initially by a telephone assessment.
Veterans with service related difficulties are also able to access local NHS services such as your local primary care mental health team with priority under the Armed Forces Covenant 2011, which you can accessed via your GP.
We look forward to hearing from you.
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I can see you have been inundated with responses after your interview with ITV. Please be kind to yourself. I was diagnosed with PTSD after Herrick 12 and medically discharged. I was a Flt Lt PM’s and the effects of PTSD wrecked my career in the RAF and as a civilian. I was told I would never nurse again, couldn’t leave my rented flat for months except to see DCMH, lied to my relatives about my diagnosis, pushed friends away and all the crap that comes with living with PTSD. I was told I would never nurse again.
I’m cynical, bloody minded and very much a doubting Thomas (a typical nurse in some ways!!) especially when it came to things like psych therapies and treatments. I thought I would never see any improvement in my condition. It’s now 2015 and I’ve been proved wrong- I returned to nursing for a short time (although at a very much lower grade than I was previously), I have a mortgage (not sure if that’s a good or a bad thing), and although I have had to change jobs because of my PTSD and still have some triggers I am coping. Life isn’t perfect and I don’t expect it to be. I still get caught out by the occasional smell, sound or environment and cannot go into certain areas of a hospital without going into meltdown with full flashback mode initiated (awkward to say the least!).
There IS hope. There IS a life without meds. Some treatments DO work.
Good luck in finding what works for you.
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Saw your interview on This Morning yesterday and the help you’ve received from The Speakmans (no relation). So happy that you’ve finally found some help and you’re enjoying life a little more now. Just wanted to wish you well from a fellow Wiganer. Take care, Sharon x x
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Ah thank you Sharon. Also always happy to hear from fellow Wiganers xxx
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Thanks for any other informative web site. The place else could I get that type of information written in such a perfect means?
I’ve a undertaking that I’m just now operating on, and I
have been on the glance out for such info.
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Dear Michelle,
I’ve just watched the ITV news and saw your report.
I just want today THANK YOU for everything you have done while in service.
I was moved to contact you.
I’m sorry for what you and others are going through,.. I wish I could help,.. But I’d just like to say I think your an incredible human being.
You have already helped so many and you are going to help and inspire so many more.
I wish you peace, love and happiness.
Best of luck for your future … And don’t forget…. Your Amazing!
Warm wishes,
Michelle. Xx
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Hi Michelle,
Thank you so very much for your kind words.
Best wishes
Michelle xx
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Hi Michelle
I saw your follow up interview this evening on ITN and I’m really pleased to see the progress you have made. I can’t begin to understand the horror you experienced. I have been under the care of various psychiatrists and psychologists since my teens, and try to avoid chemical intervention. (although some is necessary)
I was introduced to a programme of EMDR therapy last year, which although it can’t “cure” me, it has made me able to accept who/what I am and helps immensely with processing experiences which would previously have sent me into a self-destructive cycle.
Whichever therapy is helping you is clearly a winner.
So glad to see such a massive improvement.
Best wishes
Tom
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Thanks so much Tom. I am back in the game now and hoping to be able to help others xx
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Hi Michelle
Keep doing what you are doing x you are still saving lives x you deserve every success and happiness xxxxxx keep going x HERO x
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I’ve read several excellent stuff here. Certainly worth bookmarking for revisiting.
I surprise how so much attempt you put to create this kind of magnificent informative website.
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Thank you Marguerite x
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hi my name is jo and I have no where to turn to I have suffered from horrendous anxiety and panic for 10 years I cant see people face them, struggle to leave my home all day fear I cant cope or get help anywhere please is there help out there x
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Link to our free online counselling and peer support. We may be able to help you. http://www.behindthemaskfoundation.com
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Hi Michelle,
My name is Mo and I am currently a paramedic with a NHS Ambulance Trust in the UK and read your article in the College of Paramedics newsletter this month. Your article struck a lot of cords with me as I am suffering mental health issue at the moment. My main thought is that I think the general public think that mental health and PTSD only happen to ex-military personnel and not the emergency services. Yes your past experiences in the RAF must have been horrific and not something I would have been able to do.
After 16 years on frontline duties I have done one to many tough shifts and feel broke mentally. I get flashbacks to previous bad jobs, anxiety about work, feeling of letting my colleagues down, tired almost all the time even on days off, unsure how I would react to patients in distress and their relatives. More has to be done in treating staff and their welfare. Not only long term staff but all staff right from the start of their careers.
Thanks Mo
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Hello Mo,
Thank you for taking the time to message me and to open up about your own struggles. I am doing a big piece of work with the College of Paramedics at the moment about how we can introduce support and acceptance into the blue light services. It will be there to support those in service and those currently going through their training. Get in touch if I can help you in any way (www.behindthemaskfoundation.com).
Take care
Michelle x
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I have been reading about many people going through ptsd /panic attacks /anxiety ..i have also suffered with this .. recently i have had integral eye movement therapy n after 1hr n a half .. it has now gone i feel 99% better n no signs of what i was feeling wanted to let others know about this method as i feel like my old self again n would love for people who are suffering from this to feel whole again
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