Invisible illnesses
And the people who suffer from them (like me)
If you see me walking around, it is unlikely you will think to yourself: that person is mentally ill. Yet I am. I have severe PTSD from spending time in war zones. That PTSD most likely started earlier, before I was a marine or a soldier.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that's triggered by witnessing or experiencing a terrifying event. It's a disorder that can change a person psychologically and physiologically.
The most profound changes occur in the brain itself. Specifically, PTSD can affect three areas: the amygdala, the hippocampus, and the prefrontal cortex. When the amygdala, responsible for fear responses, is overactive, anxiety and hypervigilance can occur. The hippocampus, which helps process memories, can shrink, causing difficulties with memory and concen…
