My ET journey would have been mild if it not been for a series of
unexpected bumps.
My ET should have just been hereditary, just mild tremors that would
come and go with minimal disruption to everyday life however a work injury
would be the start of a life changing struggle.
The work injury caused damage to the ulnar nerve in my right arm. I would
drop things, have difficulty picking things up and of course pain.
This injury also brought with it some friends that I have gotten to know
intimately, stress, anxiety and depression. I still have these friends come
visit even today. It was being bullied in the workplace that started to have an
affect on me. It created anger, frustration and confusion. I could not believe
what was happening especially in a world where bullying is supposedly
unacceptable.
I could no longer do my job so I was placed on Workcover (an organization
that looks after people with work injuries and I use that term loosely) I was eventually
given a payout and decided to move from Australia to New Zealand to remove
myself from the constant reminders of my experiences.
I still suffered pain and I did start to notice my hands shaking more
than normal but thought nothing of it. I found work as a security officer but
even over here in overly PC New Zealand I once again became a victim of
bullying and so the nightmare began again. I left and found another job, still
doing security however it just became more of the same, more bullying and the
ones that were supposed to be enforcing anti-bullying laws were the main
culprits.
It all came to a head when I helped another employee write a complaint
letter. Senior management found out and all of a sudden I was being accused of
various things. I finally snapped, collapsed in the car never to return again.
My Dr placed me on a not able to work program and I have been on it ever
since. I was sent to a specialist who within a matter of minutes diagnosed ET
brought on by stress, anxiety, depression, PTSD and my ongoing workplace
injury.
I shake I twitch and lose balance. When I see others being mistreated
like I was I get emotional and angry. I take meds and have are numerous CBT
sessions of which few work as my PTSD from bullying runs very deep.
ET is not just about shaking; it is also about stress, worry, anxiety,
frustration and depression. These things add to the dilemma we suffers face.
If you think my shakings bad come inside my head.
Author Steve Boddey
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