Jo, this is an incredible piece you have written. Emotional and raw, honest and brave... Goosebumps and prickly eyes throughout. If I may, I want to take the opportunity to tell you that, despite your insistence, this was not nothing, and you have every right to have been impacted in such a way. I am so pleased you saw Paul, experienced the Havening technique and the success it has brought. We are so quick to dismiss our 'silly' emotions, but it is we who will suffer more for doing so! Thank you for sharing the story x
Thank you for this, i always think comparative suffering is a dangerous thing to get sucked into. We each have our own unique experiences and they impact us in the way they do, comparing that to others seemingly worse or even better experiences doesn’t help anyone. Understanding and working on our own (as you’ve done) and then having empathy for others that’s all that matters x
Thanks for writing this, it’s so powerful. I am a GP myself with some PTSD from medical intervention (the irony). It’s hard to believe when you live a quiet normal life. I kept asking my therapist for years if I should give up the slot to someone who needed it more. Plus, I’m in NI where trauma is ubiquitous but not really acknowledged. You are doing such important mental health advocacy here. Take care of yourself x
I’ve read all the comments and feel like I have little to add…but almost I guess that’s the point of this piece. I had breast cancer and since then have been struggling with menopausal symptoms and have lost a number of jobs as a result. It has reached the point where, when I am in the grip of my symptoms I genuinely believe I do not deserve a job, that everyone is right that hysterical women should just stay home out of the way. Frankly, I wouldn’t want me anywhere near me either. In that moment I am absolutely terrified, in the way that you describe. I think I need to try this technique…
Thank you for sharing your experience, Jo. The re-telling of your September 11 was harrowing to read; I imagine reliving it as you wrote might have been tough too. Take it easy on yourself. Your trauma is real.
Jo, this is the best description and explanation of PTSD I've read in the lay press. I wish I had it to refer clients to when I was still practicing who couldn't believe they might have PTSD because they had not been in combat.
Well that is your best work yet - in my humble opinion. You write so bloody well! And what a topic. Mega interesting. I felt like I was there with you but pleased I wasn't. The grit, the guilt, the sadness, the empathy for others. You really know how to describe things like the reader is with you - thank you. I wondered if you'd heard of EMDR for PTSD too?
Oh Jo, this brings me to tears. Something did happen to you and everyone in your shoes there that day and in the time after, and I’m so sorry you didn’t know and were dealing with the effects for years and years. You describe such a mind boggling and horrific situation so clearly that I feel like I’m seeing it. Thank you for writing this.
I used to push aside a PTSD diagnosis because I wasn’t a war veteran…until I could no longer. It’s a real thing and not a choice we make—who choose that??? I’ve always noticed your shoes, btw. Great taste, whether trainers or sling backs, or others. Thank you very much for writing this 💕
This is an incredible piece of writing Jo and I’m so sorry that you didn’t think your feelings about being so close to something so traumatic were worthy of recognition.
My daughter was born 14th July 2005 (also late!) and I’ve never been able to separate that time from the London bombings a week earlier and the atmosphere of fear there was in the air.
Brilliantly related, Jo. Totally understandable that you had a visceral and lasting response. And really important advice. Good to know Paul McKenna helped you break the negative cyclical thoughts. Thanks for writing this.
Thank you so much for sharing your story—it gripped my heart from start to finish! It’s a powerful reminder that trauma is deeply personal, and our bodies don’t distinguish between "major" and "minor" traumas—they just react. Your experience on 9/11 and the lingering effects are absolutely valid, no matter how others perceive them.
I’ve always believed that our neurology doesn’t care if someone else has it worse; trauma is trauma, and it impacts us profoundly. I’m so glad you found healing through Paul McKenna’s hypnotherapy and the Havening technique. I'm a huge fan of his and discovered your article through his Instagram. It’s incredible how he was able to free you from 18 years of trauma in just one session!
Thank you for shedding light on this often-dismissed side of trauma, and for helping others understand that everyone’s pain and fear are real and deserve both compassion and action.
Jo, this is an incredible piece you have written. Emotional and raw, honest and brave... Goosebumps and prickly eyes throughout. If I may, I want to take the opportunity to tell you that, despite your insistence, this was not nothing, and you have every right to have been impacted in such a way. I am so pleased you saw Paul, experienced the Havening technique and the success it has brought. We are so quick to dismiss our 'silly' emotions, but it is we who will suffer more for doing so! Thank you for sharing the story x
Jo this is an incredible piece of writing. I want to nominate it for something but I don't know what. It feels important.
Thank you for this, i always think comparative suffering is a dangerous thing to get sucked into. We each have our own unique experiences and they impact us in the way they do, comparing that to others seemingly worse or even better experiences doesn’t help anyone. Understanding and working on our own (as you’ve done) and then having empathy for others that’s all that matters x
Thanks for writing this, it’s so powerful. I am a GP myself with some PTSD from medical intervention (the irony). It’s hard to believe when you live a quiet normal life. I kept asking my therapist for years if I should give up the slot to someone who needed it more. Plus, I’m in NI where trauma is ubiquitous but not really acknowledged. You are doing such important mental health advocacy here. Take care of yourself x
I’ve read all the comments and feel like I have little to add…but almost I guess that’s the point of this piece. I had breast cancer and since then have been struggling with menopausal symptoms and have lost a number of jobs as a result. It has reached the point where, when I am in the grip of my symptoms I genuinely believe I do not deserve a job, that everyone is right that hysterical women should just stay home out of the way. Frankly, I wouldn’t want me anywhere near me either. In that moment I am absolutely terrified, in the way that you describe. I think I need to try this technique…
Go to havening.org to find out more and find a list of practitioners who practice in person and via zoom. I wish you well in your recovery x
Thank you for sharing your experience, Jo. The re-telling of your September 11 was harrowing to read; I imagine reliving it as you wrote might have been tough too. Take it easy on yourself. Your trauma is real.
Jo, this is the best description and explanation of PTSD I've read in the lay press. I wish I had it to refer clients to when I was still practicing who couldn't believe they might have PTSD because they had not been in combat.
That is a huge compliment, thank you Frances. xx
This is an absolutely incredible piece, Jo. Beautiful and important - Holly xx
Well that is your best work yet - in my humble opinion. You write so bloody well! And what a topic. Mega interesting. I felt like I was there with you but pleased I wasn't. The grit, the guilt, the sadness, the empathy for others. You really know how to describe things like the reader is with you - thank you. I wondered if you'd heard of EMDR for PTSD too?
I'm off to share this - awesome.
Oh Jo, this brings me to tears. Something did happen to you and everyone in your shoes there that day and in the time after, and I’m so sorry you didn’t know and were dealing with the effects for years and years. You describe such a mind boggling and horrific situation so clearly that I feel like I’m seeing it. Thank you for writing this.
I used to push aside a PTSD diagnosis because I wasn’t a war veteran…until I could no longer. It’s a real thing and not a choice we make—who choose that??? I’ve always noticed your shoes, btw. Great taste, whether trainers or sling backs, or others. Thank you very much for writing this 💕
Ha! Well I may not want to run in my shoes but I still want them to look cute 💅💅
This is an incredible piece of writing Jo and I’m so sorry that you didn’t think your feelings about being so close to something so traumatic were worthy of recognition.
My daughter was born 14th July 2005 (also late!) and I’ve never been able to separate that time from the London bombings a week earlier and the atmosphere of fear there was in the air.
As someone who was diagnosed with CPTSD a few years back I could say a lot but just want to say WELL DONE 👏🏼 & thank you for sharing this. S x
Brilliantly related, Jo. Totally understandable that you had a visceral and lasting response. And really important advice. Good to know Paul McKenna helped you break the negative cyclical thoughts. Thanks for writing this.
Thank you so much for sharing your story—it gripped my heart from start to finish! It’s a powerful reminder that trauma is deeply personal, and our bodies don’t distinguish between "major" and "minor" traumas—they just react. Your experience on 9/11 and the lingering effects are absolutely valid, no matter how others perceive them.
I’ve always believed that our neurology doesn’t care if someone else has it worse; trauma is trauma, and it impacts us profoundly. I’m so glad you found healing through Paul McKenna’s hypnotherapy and the Havening technique. I'm a huge fan of his and discovered your article through his Instagram. It’s incredible how he was able to free you from 18 years of trauma in just one session!
Thank you for shedding light on this often-dismissed side of trauma, and for helping others understand that everyone’s pain and fear are real and deserve both compassion and action.
Just. Wow. ….. and hugs