Veteran Learns to “Face her Demons” with VA PTSD Treatment

Veteran Learns to “Face her Demons” with VA PTSD Treatment
Fri at 5:07am
Michelle Covert had PTSD for 24 years but didn’t know it.

Today, thanks to her treatment at a VA hospital, she is working, happy and determined to be “a voice of hope.”

Michelle was in the Army from 1980 to 1984 and was raped by her drill instructor – the night before she graduated from Advanced Individual Training. Frightened, distraught and confused, she did not report the rape. She went on to a career as a data communications specialist.

Years later, while working at a VA hospital, she was approached, remarkably, by a Veteran receiving treatment for PTSD, who said, “I’ve been watching you. You’ve got what I’ve got.” What he had seen was Michelle breaking into tears and panic attacks when visitors or situations got out of hand.

That, and another severe “meltdown,” convinced her to seek treatment. Under the guidance of Dr. Kathleen Chard of the VA, Michelle accepted the fact that her rape – in this case Military Sexual Trauma – was the cause of her life-long struggle with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Once she started receiving treatment, known as Cognitive Processing Therapy, Michelle realized that it was time to “come face to face with my demon.” She was able to finally accept the fact that the sexual abuse she experienced was not her fault.
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Veteran Learns to Face her Demons with VA PTSD Treatment