Personal Narrative: Traumatic Experiences

In the first session I, the client, talked to Mikeala, the counselor, about a traumatic experience that I went through, my relationship and how it affects me, and how my new-found independence effects both events. The session in total took sixteen minutes, but for most of the time I discussed about the traumatic car wreck that I was in three years ago where the passenger died. When talking about this traumatic experience I mentioned that he was one of my good friends and how if he would have lived he would have come to Lubbock Christian University. Also, I conversed that being away from my support group and home town had made coping more difficult. On the other hand we talked about how being alone has helped me become more independent and how I got my boyfriend from my independency. I was able to talk to Mikeala about my boyfriend, my independency, and the wreck.

When I entered as a first time student at UB, I was also exiting an abusive relationship that had become violent. I had very little support and lacked financial resources. I began counseling at the counseling center at UB and continued with classes while also working to support myself. I experienced an overwhelming amount of anxiety and felt uncomfortable on campus from the presence of my previous partner who was also a student at UB. My grades slipped and the opportunity to withdraw passed.

Well, I would have to say you’re doing good job of hiding it because I don’t think anyone else knows besides me, and you have my word I won’t tell anyone. Can I ask you about it or is that a no zone? How are you feeling tonight? The reason why I told you about me is because that was the first time in a long time that I had a full-blown PTSD problem come up and I felt I needed to explain myself because I directed my anger out on you and I don’t want you think, I am someone who I am not. That day I hit a low point that came with consequences, but I believe I brushed myself off and moved past it for now.

My whole life, I had always thought that people reacted the same way I did in stressful situations, and the people around me experienced emotions and thoughts the same way. The realization that I overreacted and suffered immensely because of it made me feel isolated and seemed daunting, as if I would never understand or be able to fight the feeling of hopelessness that overwhelmed my system.

When I opened my eyes I saw ten plus people with agonised faces like the one from that famous painting “The Scream” - by Edvard Munch, staring at me, and slowly moving from one side to another. For a second I thought that I was just having a nightmare so I decided to take a deep breath, but the second after my thought ended I was penetrated by a sharp, unbearable under any circumstances pain, coming from the very top of my spine feeling like I had a large needle inserted into my upper vertebra. It felt like like every single muscle in my body contracted so hard that they ripped my limbs in pieces, and soon I was not able to move at all. All of this lasted for about 5 to 7 seconds my mom told me later on. I have

I was sitting at my desk, looking around for any small detail that I thought I may have missed. Everything looked organized and the way my roommate and I wanted it to look. I looked at him and told him “this is our new home for a year”. Every upcoming college student dreams about moving day and my time was coming soon. Three weeks prior to move in day, I began organizing and preparing for what was coming, “What are the most important things I should bring”, “How much is the trip going to cost?”, all these questions began to rush towards my head at once and if it wasn’t for the help of my mom, I wouldn’t have been able to organize myself and pack for college.

Growing up, I lived in a small community where poverty was an issue. Within the low-income community, drugs, crime, and education lacked. There were many people unemployed, lacked health coverage, and financially unstable. One of the major issues in the community was the use of illegal drugs. The substances damaged people's lives, due to addiction. The drugs included heroin, marijuana, and cocaine; the list can go on and on. From future football players to basketball players, I watched all these superstars turned their lives upside down. I watched players that had the privilege to play for top universities lose their scholarships because of the use of illegal substances. I even watched one of my own, my uncle.

“Even after the genealogist documented everything I still had my doubts. I thought the patient could have just as easily used the same fact-finding techniques to come up with their story. What I couldn’t understand was why they would go to such lengths. What was the

I couldn’t move, not even a muscle. I was frozen in place, because I knew if I even flinched, things would not turn out well. In this moment I realized I might actually die and this is how it all ends. It was a hot summer day in Maine we were on vacation at the Grand Lake Stream. My family and I were staying at a little cabin right on the lake. My dad and I were sitting on the old, run down dock. I was sitting on the edge of the scratchy wood, dipping my feet in the chilly water to cool off from the hot sun. I was deep in my thoughts looking out to the fourteen thousand acre lake. The warm sunrays beating down on my face felt so relaxing.

I love to solve puzzles. From jigsaws to crosswords to brainteasers, I can never get enough. For as long as I can remember, completing them has been my favorite pastime. One of my fondest childhood memories involves me working on my first jigsaws. The puzzles, based on my then-favorite TV show, Scooby Doo, still sit on the shelf in my closet. While I have now moved on to more challenging undertakings, my beloved puzzles represent the start of a vital part of me.

I remember loving puzzles as a kid. When I was two, I was given three different jigsaw puzzles mixed together, and was challenged to solve each puzzle. My parents said I solved them, but only after numerous tries. I grew up with a collection of different puzzles, each solved at least once. I was not able to stop once I started. I felt a sense of accomplishment after seeing the tangible result of a solved puzzle.

There they were. The jeans I have been wanting for months. The blue acid-washed jeans that have been out of stock for what felt like forever, have finally come to the clothing store near me. I ran like a cheetah to the store window.

The broken pieces of glass scattered all over the ground and the sound of Evie’s cry piercing my ears. “Was that really a great idea?” I asked myself. “No.”

Hi Greg, It was nice speaking with you on Friday at Gahagan Park. I hope you continue to recover from injuries so you can move forward with you goals. Per our conversation, I have attached a few resumes for your review with my contact information listed on them. Please feel free to contact with any questions that you may have for me. I do look forward to hearing from you.

I received some negativity at a charity event I helped host regarding my clothes, basically one of the hosts friends decides while I’m speaking to a guest that it would be a good time to tell me she would like to give me a free styling session in her store.As the tense conversation continues, party host Rose approaches me and says, “I was insulted, too. She said to me that she didn’t like my style.”Aggravated, I tell Rose that she, “should probably check her friends, that when they come to your party they shouldn’t go insulting your guests. It’s rude.”Although, I was annoyed I didn’t let it get the best of me, my job was to get a new younger crowed involved.