I've worked with students in residential treatment and other educational settings for numerous years. While PTSD is easily acquired, its resolution isn't simple. I remain frustrated by the tendency for some individuals who grapple with their trauma to be very comfortable with a victim identity. As I read the part of the discussion of family responses to traumatized members and PTSD, I immediately came to a place of reinforcement of a current situation with a former student whose family of origin sees the person as 'broken' and therefore the individual characterizes themself as 'crippled' - despite therapy, despite medication, despite access to positive coping stragegies, and behavioral management supports. The identity as permanently damaged is more comfortable than the work and energy required to heal. It's disheartening, honestly.
I hope better treatments and ultimately that maturation and the desire to engage in life overcome this. I realize there is a need to accept mental health issues as real and I do. I simply don't know what else to do with this situation - other than to realize all I can do is all I can do.
