My skeletons

May is mental health awareness month. 1 in 5 Americans has a mental health issue. Having an issue does not mean that one is crazy. These issues are not something that are contagious, However for those that have them, they can be life threatenIng.
A friend recently went to the VA to seek assistance with classic PTSD symptoms. The individual he spoke to told him that because he'd never been in combat, there was no way he could have PTSD. More mental health care being provide obviously the lowest bidder. Any instance in a persons life that is traumatic enough to them can cause PTSD. In my life, I have had 2 major medical emergencies that are the root of my PTSD. I have been told I'm lying about my PTSD (why cause ive never seen combat mr VA man?) I'm making it up etc. I know what I am forced to live with. Yes, PTSD can lie dormant for years and something can trigger it...a sight, a smell, a chain of events. Just like a combat vet can not watch a war movie or deal with the sounds of fireworks, maybe a simple elevator ride, term, phrase or smell is enough to trigger someone elses PTSD. PTSD can come from any traumatic experience. Domestic violence, verbal, emotional or physical abuse...the list goes on and on. 2 people can share the same experience yet only one can walk away with PTSD.
I can honestly say that along with the PTSD I have bouts of depression. I don't have it all the time, but somedays are a total struggle. Ive learned to live with both of these demons, and rarely do I share with anyone that I'm forcing myself to cope, to live another day. Some days I just want to give up and give in. But I find something, some reason that it would not be worth not being here. It gets very difficult for me when that reason lashes out rather than understanding. But then again I don't expect anyone to understand. Somedays I don't even understand why I can be in a great mood, then switch to anger or gloom and doom right before I have a flashback I dont want to have. I'm not even sure why I'm crying uncontrollably as I try to get anyone reading to understand. I wouldn't want anyone to walk a mile in my shoes.
Why am I sharing this information that is probably making me look like a total nut job? Because I could be your mother, sister, brother...if you never figured me out and you've known me for any length of time, how do you know someone you love isn't just like me?