(Continued from last article - Mindy McCready misdiagnosed...)
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
In this often overlooked, unspoken or misunderstood epidemic, Mindy McCready became one of the tragic statistics of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and completely overlooked by Dr. Drew and so many.
In the NIH (the National Institute of Health) MedlinePlus publication article, “PTSD: A Growing Epidemic,” they state, “Years of war in Afghanistan and Iraq have brought post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD ) among military personnel to the attention of the American people as never before. But PTSD is also found among survivors of natural disasters, victims of crime, and many others who have experienced traumatic events.” Women are more affected by PTSD than men.
One woman quotes her PTSD experience for NIH, “"I was raped when I was 25 years old. For a long time, I spoke about the rape as though it was something that happened to someone else. I was very aware that it had happened to me, but there was just no feeling. Then I started having flashbacks. They kind of came over me like a splash of water. I would be terrified. Suddenly, I was reliving the rape. Every instant was startling. I wasn't aware of anything around me. I was in a bubble, just kind of floating. And it was scary. Having a flashback can wring you out.
"The rape happened the week before Thanksgiving, and I can't believe the anxiety and fear I feel every year around the anniversary date. It's as though I've seen a werewolf. I can't relax, can't sleep, don't want to be with anyone. I wonder whether I'll ever be free of this terrible problem." —A PTSD patient (Source: NIMH)
Mindy McCready exhibited all of the symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as seen in many abused and battered women and especially in the military returning from war. And for Mindy, her tragic life with McKnight, was a war zone.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Flashbacks, or reliving the traumatic event for minutes, days or years at a time
- Mindy, who I would believe was still reliving the traumatic events, is then put on “Celebrity Rehab,” as a cast member, adding to her publically-aired guilt and shame over and over. This is Just another brick added to Mindy’s life’s load of PTSD. Mindy had become the fifth person on Celebrity Rehab to meet an untimely demise, provoking an immediate firestorm against the show and its creator, Dr. Drew Pinsky. She is the fifth celebrity appearing on that show to have died.
- Each time that Mindy had to talk to McKnight, it was a constant reminder and flashback of her attack in May, 2005. This would be something and someone that she could never escape. Should she have to see McKnight, it would again bring back the constant reminder.
Upsetting dreams about the traumatic event – anxiety
- These two symptoms can almost be merged together, as in Mindy’s case: Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms can come and go. You may have more post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms when things are stressful in general, or when you run into reminders of what you went through. You may hear a car backfire and relive combat experiences, for instance. Or you may see a report on the news about a rape and feel overcome by memories of your own assault.
Trying to avoid thinking or talking about the traumatic event - battered women or military – people do not want to remember, try to avoid their suffering and dulling themselves from the pain (as with drugs, alcohol
- Mindy’s relationship with aspiring singer William Patrick "Billy" McKnight eventually led to her pregnancy with McKnight being the father of her eldest son, Zander. Their relationship was known to be tumultuous and emotional and physically violent.
- She left McKnight, who was, by Mindy’s report drug-addicted and violent. But then again, as most degraded and abused victims often say, she still felt she loved him. And she would take him back, over and over again.
- Mindy said to People Magazine, after the trial for McKnight’s attack "I loved him," she said. "I just loved him. I missed him terribly even though he did terrible things to me. The relationship was very tumultuous. It's amazing how you can forget such terrible things so easily, you know, even when they're still fresh in your mind and try to only remember the good things.
- Zander Ryan McCready, the son of Mindy McCready and Billy McKnight, was born on March 25, 2006. She adored this beautiful child and precious son. But, was the relationship with McKnight driving her deeper into the depths of despair and attempted suicide?
- The the ensuing suicide attempts, drug and alcohol abuse are definite signs of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. If McKnight had beaten her before and was having problems with heavy drug and alcohol abuse, she would certainly not want this strong tie to him.
- Mindy also reported to People Magazine, after the trial for McKnight’s attack, “I’m looking forward to focusing on my music!”
- After the attack, Mindy McReady tried to put that traumatic event behind her. But in the meanwhile there would be the PTSD symptoms of drug and alcohol abuse, arrests and trying to numb herself from the memories.
Irritability or anger -
- Three weeks later, after family members expressed concern for McCready's well-being, a judge ordered her to be evaluated at a treatment facility for mental health and alcohol abuse. McCready's children were removed from her care by the Department of Human Services.
- After McKnight’s attack, family battles and legal troubles, she would certainly be prone to anger and anxiety.
Trouble sleeping – How could Mindy possibly sleep, afraid every moment she heard a door open or any noises, that she might be harmed?
Being easily startled or frightened – Again, another symptom of a traumatic event and PTSD. In the wars prior to our most recent wars, it was known as “shell-shocked.” Mindy would have been startled at any sudden movement or sound after the attack.
(More of Mindy McReady's PTSD symptoms continued in Part Three)
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