Transcript
(mellow instrumental music)
[Shinn]
I lived with PTSD
as an overriding
fixture of my life
for 11 years.
My PTSD symptoms
presented themselves
in withdrawal, isolation,
depression, and nightmares.
My own sense of self
was that I was broken,
that I was flawed.
And that no matter
what I did,
there was no way to
overcome what I felt
were very shameful and
guilt-ridden acts in Iraq.
And so, I felt that it
stained my soul.
And that it made it so
that I was unlovable.
Not worthy of people's
time or attention.
(melancholy music)
(dark tones)
When I started therapy,
I started it at the
end of November, beginning
of December of 2015.
(clinking)
(somber notes)
By February,
I was starting
to feel a little
bit better.
(lighter notes)
By March, I was feeling
a lot better.
But I think my last
combat-related nightmare
was early days of April,
2016.
(slap)
(soft piano music)
It feels like I am
good again.
That I'm able to recognize
the good in the world,
and also recognize the
good in myself.
My life is richer, I have
connections with people,
where I didn't feel
that connection before.
That feeling of
connectiveness allows me
to interact with others
in a meaningful way.
(chatter)
I feel therapy 100% got
me to that place
where I needed to be.
That makes all the
difference.
(chatter)