Every moment we've ever lived is etched into our memory and nervous system. The moment is over, but the stress lives on in our body, our gut reactions, and our thoughts.

I've never been to war, but I mark 'YES' to 12 of the 17 qualifiers on the PTSD checklist.  Most of my clients score positive on the PTSD checklist. They feel hypervigilant compared to friends. They feel alone even when they're in a group. They avoid social situations, activities, or relationships as a way to avoid pain. As my mentor used to say, "these are perfectly normal reactions to the abnormal life events we've experienced."