Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) with Peter Thorburn

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a serious condition that can develop after a person has experienced or witnessed a traumatic event that caused harm. Although not everyone who experiences trauma will develop PTSD, if it does manifest it can in many ways. Although in the past PTSD has been misunderstood, we’re fortunate enough to learn from the past and that we can now better support whānau who are experiencing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

On Wednesday the 3rd of August, we had Peter Thorburn host a training on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder for 15 of our Tāmaki whānau. Peter covered what can cause PTSD, from “Shell Shock” to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), and how we can manage or even treat some symptoms. Peter hosted an honest kōrero session sharing his own lived experiences with clinical research, and some whānau finding strength to share their own experiences growing up.

We cannot predict how our minds would react to traumatizing events, but what we can do is be better understanding so we can help whānau who are experiencing PTSD. Healthy relationships means being empathetic and understanding of one another. Removing the stigma of living with PTSD means better support for those who need it.