Mike Larocque - Re- Chronic PTSD & hyper vigilance

January 8, 2025- Mike Larocque’s podcast:

Re- Chronic PTSD and hyper vigilance resulting in a debilitating loss of quality of life. 

 Interviewer:  Joanne K. Beaudry-Larocque

M4A audio – 93.5 mb ; time: 57:32

At age 70, Mike realized his symptoms of panic attacks, sadness, depression, body aches and a feeling of wanting to just stay home and not do anything was getting worse.  He bravely told his doctor and was referred to a social worker counselor to subsequently to see a psychiatrist.  He was diagnosed with Chronic PTSD (post traumatic symptoms disorder) and hyper vigilance where he couldn’t handle sudden, sharp, loud noises where it would send him into a frenzy of shaking and almost breaking down. 

My husband, Mike relates as to where his trauma events first happened to being strapped and viciously assaulted by his teacher at the young age of seven years old and other events while at school to the point he hated going to school.  Then, with a limited education, he worked for almost thirty five years on the railway as a maintenance foreman where his job was to inspect and repair railway track but also to clean up the bloody messes from tragic accidents.  No counseling or time off was offered to him or to his crew as they were trained not to complain.  As time progressed, life happens then stuff from the past bubbles up to the point, where it was affecting him with his mental, emotional and physical health.  I am proud of my husband, especially as a man to bravely talk about his mental health and to encourage others to do the same. 

If you or know of someone who might need counseling, please seek help.  Visit with your doctor or go to a crisis centre or emergency at a hospital.  Don’t wait, until it’s too late.