ptsd

Orange booklet with the title Dear Caregiver, Thank you on Journeyofsmiley.com

Heartfelt Messages for Loved Ones and Caregivers from Trauma Survivors

June is PTSD Awareness Month and as someone diagnosed with PTSD after an accident over four years ago, I know how crucial a strong support network is. I’ve been fortunate. My husband has stood by me, and my psychologist was exactly who I needed at the time. But I also know that not every survivor …

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A woman looking in front of her at a lake and the title PTSD What Trauma Survivors want you to know on Journeyofsmiley blog

What Trauma Survivors Want You to Know About PTSD

Prior to experiencing PTSD myself, I had never met anyone who openly admitted that they have PTSD. Although I had heard the term Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and even studied brain development during my University studies, I never really knew what it entails until I experienced it myself. After my PTSD diagnosis, following my traumatic …

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identify core beliefs

Identify and Understand Your Core Beliefs: The Downward Arrow Technique

Today, I will share my experience about how I uncovered my core belief during my therapy whilst utilising the Downward Arrow technique with my EMDR psychotherapist. This is a great technique that can help you identify your negative core beliefs regardless of whether you are actually undergoing therapy or not. It can be a great …

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background of a room with big windows and sofa and a hand holding a card and on it is a cognitive triangle picture with core beliefs in the middle on Journeyofsmiley

Automatic Thoughts and Core Beliefs: What Are They, and What Is the Difference Between Them?

Have you ever wondered where our thoughts and behaviours come from? Why do we have different thoughts about the same situation or act differently under similar circumstances? It’s because we have a different set of core beliefs. But what are core beliefs, and what is the difference between them and our automatic thoughts?  Two and …

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Portrait of a woman with ginger hair on the right side and on the life side an inspirational quote on the PTSD: My Story Project on Journeyofsmiley

Conversion Disorder: Is Anxiety Attacking My Body?

Conversion Disorder: Is Anxiety Attacking My Body? by Susanne Kooijman | PTSD: My Story Project #014 Trigger warning I decided to participate in the PTSD: My Story Project and share my experience with conversion disorder in hopes that someone can relate to it and find comfort in knowing that they too, can overcome their worst …

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