There was a name for what I was going through.

I actually was diagnosed with PTSD at my first visit

to the VA clinic where I live.

I really had never shared what had happened to me

and I decided I needed to see a counselor.

So I went to my local VA clinic

and that clinician then referred me to an actual psychologist

and that is where I was given a diagnosis of PTSD.

I was surprised.

I had really felt alone and misunderstood

and I was having some problems with my work environments

and I was hypervigilant so I was really afraid

of a lot of things.

Once there was a name for what I was going through

and what had happened to me, I had something to work with,

with regard to healing.