After her son passed away from cancer, Erica went on an 8-year journey where she felt and acted insane. It was eventually discovered that Erica had PTSD and it's taken her only up until last year to finally feel somewhat normal again and to recognize her triggers. She shares both the emotional and physical toll the loss of her son took on her and what has helped bring her back to a bit of normalcy as she continues on.
Key Takeaways:
- Erica lost her son to cancer.
- Erica went to therapy and spent her time trying to convince her therapist that she was crazy. She felt insane.
- Everything in Erica's life just kept surfacing, the grief she had experienced even when she was two years old, and she couldn't turn it off.
- Not only did Erica suffer the emotional effects, but she had an intense physical response to grief as well.
- Erica was diagnosed with PTSD and she would randomly pass out when she got too stressed out.
- The next phase Erica went through was fear. She had fear everywhere she turned.
- Erica shares tactics and strategies she used to keep her grounded.
- Erica felt like this for 8 years and it was only until the last year and a half did she feel like a normal person again.
- It's taken time for Erica to feel healthy again.
- Your body reacts to what you're thinking.
- When Erica went back to work for the first time, it was really hard.
- Erica got stuck in her grief when she saw her son decline.
- It feels like a full-time job to keep herself somewhat 'normal'.
- Erica was working before the pandemic. Now she's unemployed. She's not sure what's next for her.
- Susan and Erica talk about their relationship with God after the passing of their loved one.
- When it comes to grief, get a therapist! You're not crazy if you have someone to help you through this journey.
- If you have bad or evil thoughts, it doesn't mean you're suicidal. You've gone through something very dramatic in your life. Practice forgiveness.
- If you think you're losing your mind or going insane, this is very normal in your grief journey.
Resources:
Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
