The Other Side of the Gun: PTSD and Grief

As I Live and Grieve®

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At just 17, Susan Snow's world shattered when her father, an LAPD detective, was assassinated in front of her brother's elementary school. That night changed everything and launched Susan into 14 years of undiagnosed PTSD, creating a life where she merely existed rather than lived.
Susan takes us through her harrowing journey with raw honesty – from the initial trauma to the years spent hiding behind an emotional mask of "strength" while battling insomnia, depression, and panic attacks. The story takes a powerful turn when, years later, the Columbine shooting triggers a response that finally leads her to proper help. "In that moment, I had hope," Susan reveals about her eventual PTSD diagnosis. "I knew I wasn't crazy. I knew I could heal."
This episode delves deep into the crucial intersection between grief and trauma, especially when violence is involved. Susan, now an author and trauma resiliency coach, shares the practical tools that helped her heal and the transformative realization that while trauma doesn't disappear, it becomes manageable with the right support. Her insights on finding trauma-competent therapists and recognizing when you're in fight-or-flight mode offer invaluable guidance for anyone struggling with grief complicated by trauma.
As she powerfully states, "When you get to the other side and your pain no longer hangs over you like a cloud, the feeling is priceless." Connect with Susan at susansnowspeaks.com where she offers coaching and her book "The Other Side of the Gun: My Journey from Trauma to Resiliency."

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Credits:
Music by Kevin MacLeod

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Copyright 2020, by As I Live and Grieve
The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.

Chapters

1. Introduction to Weekend Wisdom Series (00:00:00)

2. Susan's Story: Losing Her Father (00:09:15)

3. Life in the Aftermath of Trauma (00:19:58)

4. Columbine Triggers and Finding Help (00:30:40)

5. Writing Her Story and Finding Purpose (00:35:55)