TRAPPED

PTSD

📸: Aesthetic Smile Reconstruction
HELEN
(A year later)
It's been a year now since the kidnap and my life took another turn entirely. I had lost all hope in humanity and had become a shadow of myself. Mike and Nancy had tried every possible way to get me back to normal but it just wasn't working.

I had been placed on therapy but I missed most of my appointments I just took my anti depressants and anxiety tablets, most times I overdose and end up in the hospital again.

I was losing weight drastically and I didn't look healthy. It is true that I've gone through a lot of abuse and traumatic experiences right from childhood and I kept fighting to get myself back up, I strived hard to succeed but it wasn't the same anymore. I was completely broken this time.

Mike tried all his best to stay with me, he was always there for me but I pushed him away, I didn't want to have anything to do with anybody ever again especially the masculine gender. I wasn't doing well at work, thankfully I had a honest personal assistant and workers who took care of everything.

I resulted to eating unhealthy and living carelessly I tried committing suicide twice but God just doesn't want me in heaven yet. I guess my sight was appalling to death himself because I wondered why he hasn't come for me.
For over 8 months I've been feeling abdominal pains, I didn't really pay attention to it because had more on my plate.

One evening I heard my doorbell ring again, ' this person never gives up, always coming everyday'. I thought angrily.
I went to open it and realized it was Mike. 'Can I come in? He asked looking sad and I just walked inside leaving him at the door. He walked right behind me and I sat on the couch. What do you want Mike? Why are you here?
'Why are you doing this to yourself Helen? You're beautiful, smart, and strong why have you decided to punish yourself so much? Look how thin you've become! You're not eating well, you're not attending your therapy sessions, you're not using your drugs properly! You're not talking to anybody. It's been over a year Helen, you're supposed to get better and not worse' he stated.
I don't want to get better Mike, I want to die. I'm tired of living in this hell and I just want to leave. I screamed at him.
Mike looked at me shocked at my words. ' what happened to the Helen that I know? The strong, smart and hardworking Helen. The beautiful girl that cooks so well and loves pets? The one who faces what life throws at her and conquers it? What Happened to the Helen that I..' he stopped halfway and looked at me then looked away. That you what Mike? Answer me! That you what? 'That I was starting to fall for' he responded. She's dead Mike! I answered him emotionless. She's dead and gone!
Mike was visibly heartbroken, he didn't know what else to do so he stood up to leave. I didn't look at him till he left and after he was gone I burst into tears.

Why is this happening to me, I cried. Can death just come for me already?

I keep having flashbacks of the things I went through in the hands of the kidnappers, even at times when I try to forget and focus on something it just keeps rushing back and I can't help it neither can I stop it.

I started using alcohol to clear my mind, I knew it was wrong but during those times when I took it I completely forgot my worries and I saw black. I'd sleep for a long period of time and whenever I'm up, I'll wake up with headaches and in my own vomit. I eventually got used to alcohol and soon after I introduced other hard drugs. I linked up with a guy who secretly supplies me those drugs and I finally became an addict.

My life took another turn entirely, I stopped reading books that used to be so therapeutic, I stopped visiting my doctor, I didn't even attend my therapy sessions anymore. I was in another planet entirely and that was the best planet at that time.
Alcohol and drugs gave me a new life, I didn't have time to eat well, those were my food now.

Mike and Nancy tried their best to get through to me, they kept calling and visiting me but I didn't give either of them audience. I stayed as far away from them as I could, nobody could reach me except for my PA who texted me on how work was going.
I was less concerned as to whether the company was successful or not, all I was concerned with was my account being credited so I could get money to buy my stuff.

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Hello Hello beautiful readers, I hope you all are enjoying the story? Sadly we have about 2-3 chapters before the end of the story🤧🤧
For those who do not understand what PTSD means, I'll make a brief explanation. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that's triggered by a terrifying event — either experiencing it or witnessing it. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event.

Most people who go through traumatic events may have temporary difficulty adjusting and coping, but with time and good self-care, they usually get better. If the symptoms get worse, last for months or even years, and interfere with your day-to-day functioning, you may have PTSD.( read more on www.mayoclinic.org)
So I hope you all understand that it's not Helen's fault for behaving the way she behaved but because she's dealing with mental health issues.
If we look into our societies, there are many people like Helen who are going through so much but aren't speaking out, instead of judging people by their behaviors let's spread love to them perhaps they will open up to us and we might be able to help them. With that being said I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Please click on the little star ⭐️ at the bottom left corner. I love you all, have a blessed day❤️