In this episode, I’m joined by Michele Rosenthal of HealMyPTSD.com. Michele joins me to share her story of how she’s been able to reclaim her identity and find joy again after suffering from PTSD symptoms for almost 30 years.
Click the play button below to check it out!
The Details
Traumatic experience:
When Michele was 13 years old, she had an extremely rare adverse reaction called Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis Syndrome (TENS) which is a freak allergy to a medication that turned her into a full-body burn victim almost overnight. Michele was left in excruciating pain and no one knew how exactly to help her.
Effects of the traumatic experience:
Michele's view of the world as a safe place was destroyed and she became a different person as a result. PTSD wasn't a "thing" at the time and nobody really understood what she was going through. Michele became completely avoidant and would become enraged if anyone mentioned the experience.
Michele couldn't sleep and had insomnia for years, which led to other destructive behaviors. Michele's belief system was distorted by her survivor's guilt from wanting to die and yet still being alive. She focused on education because it provided structure, but then had difficulty with structuring her life afterward.
Michele ended up living with physical ailments that nobody could explain, exacerbated by self-destructive behaviors.
Overcoming the traumatic experience:
Michele's journey began in talk therapy. She also tried many different types of healing modalities and ultimately it was dancing that was the turning point for her recovery. She did no treatment for trauma for 6 months and instead danced every single day. Michele then added in hypnosis and Neuro-Linguistic Programming and eventually got to a place where she become free of her PTSD symptoms.
What Michele does today: Michele is a speaker, author, and Certified Trauma Coach.
Final Question:
Given what you know now, if you could go back to when you were going through the tough times and give yourself one piece of advice, what would it be?
Michele's Answer: You're still in there.
Links Mentioned
HealMyPTSD.com - Michele's website for and by survivors of PTSD
MyTraumaCoach.com - Michele's coaching website
Michele on Social Media
Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube
Books Mentioned
Before the World Intruded: Conquering the Past and Creating the Future, A Memoir
Your Life After Trauma: Powerful Practices to Reclaim Your Identity
Heal Your PTSD: Dynamic Strategies That Work
Affiliate Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links. There is no additional cost to you, and I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase.
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