In this week's episode, Tamara chats with Chatiela Underwood; Author, Life Coach, and Motivational Speaker. They discuss dealing with and living with someone with mental illness, specifically focused on PTSD. 

What to expect in this episode:

• Chatiela talks about her memoir and her experience of falling in love with someone who completely changed after his time in Iraq, developing PTSD
• Reminds people that regardless of their hardships, you are not alone, but the best option is always to seek counseling
• Tamara & Chatiela dive deeper into PTSD, its impact on those in the military, and the lack of resources to help the magnitude and masses of people suffering from it
• PTSD is not just widespread in the military, but also for civilians and can go undiagnosed or underdiagnosed 
• The signs and symptoms to look for in case you think you have PTSD
• Chatiela discusses the impact of being with someone who has a mental illness and how that can sometimes rub off on their partner 
• Regardless of how strong you feel or think you are, seek help because if you don't get assistance, it could manifest in other areas of your life 
• After her partner committed suicide, she was left as a single mother but had to remain strong and stay mindful for herself and her kids, while becoming self-aware
• Her experience of getting into a relationship with a new partner that also suffers from PTSD and what that experience was like for her, while having previous experience that made her more equipped this time around 
• The impact her partner's suicide had on her son
• Mental Illness is real, sometimes people are afraid to be labeled, but by accepting their illness they can work towards healing 
• The effects of the pandemic on mental health, especially on kids 

Important Message for Everyone

• Check-in on people because you never know what people are going through
• If you or someone you know, feel like they may be suffering from a mental illness, please seek help

To learn more about Chatiela, check out her website, and please support by checking out her book Eyes Wide Shut