Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): a mental health condition that’s triggered by a terrifying event — either experiencing it or witnessing it.
I was diagnosed with PTSD two years after a SUV decided not to share the road with me. On a day to day basis my symptoms include a heightened startle response, nightmares, increased fear, often visualizing worst case scenarios, and noise sensitivity.
PTSD is not always just about the event that caused it.
Today, within minutes of starting work, I turned on the radio. It was loud and it startled me (strike 1). A bit later I was scared by a loud POW! At this point, my migraine ramped up (stress, fear, and noise contributed to this); I began to sweat; and my heart was pounding. My sensitivity to noise and my startle response became hyper-vigilant at this point as well. A little bit later there was a second loud POW (strike 3)! Following the second bang, dizziness, nausea and the severe need to escape, were added to the symptoms that were already present. I wanted to get far, far away and quickly.
After a bit, I was finally able to leave work; my symptoms calmed down but remained. For the rest of the day I will lay low and keep reminding myself that I am okay.
This is PTSD.
Confessions of a Concussed Cyclist: the story of a cyclist living life with a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) 
Hello, my name is Siobhan MacLeod. I was shown your blog by my best friend, Lindsey Iles Clarke, she said you were friends from Littleton. I wanted to tell you how much I appreciate your blog. I too live with a TBI, PTSD, Post Concussive Syndrome, Photophobia and Migraines. I also have recently been diagnosed with 2 auto immune disorders, so my body really hates me! Haha. Lindsey has been my best friend since college and has been with me through my whole ordeal. She has seen the changes my tbi has caused. I went from an outgoing, social person to withdrawing from almost everyone. I have been seeing a neuro psych doctor weekly for almost 4 years now. Without that doctor and Lindsey, I wouldn’t have made it past the first year after my injury. I got sick about 5 years ago with a condition called Pseudo tumor cerebri. Pretty much my body produced too much spinal fluid and it was squishing my brain and optic nerves. All medication failed, so I had surgery to put a shunt in my head. I have a catheter anchored into a part of my brain to drain the fluid. It was the surgery and the 3 subsequent concussions a month after surgery that caused my injury. I honestly thought I would get better, but my doctor made it clear that where I am at now, is probably all I’m gonna get. I’ve accepted that and just try to live each day the best way I can. I have more bad days then good, but at least I’m still trying. Thank you for writing your blog, it’s comforting to know there is another woman out there like me who understands what I’m going through. I don’t feel so alone anymore. One of your blogs you talk about finding a doctor help treat the TBI, I asked my doctor for a recommendation and she gave me the name of Dr. Theodore Austin. He is located in Warner NH, I think. She says he might be private pay, but he does work with TBI patients from what my doctor said. My doctor’s name is Dr Cheryl Frye. Please contact me if you have any questions or if you just want to talk to another TBI person. I hope all is well.
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Siobhan~ thank you so much for reading my “blogs” and for taking the time to comment! I truly appreciate it! I am sorry to hear of your struggles. Brain injury is such a lonely world and it definitely helps to find others going through something similar. I’m always here if you need anything (questions, need to talk, etc). Thank you again!
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