Many years back, I found myself going through a nightmarish scenario where each time I would play a tragic game of “what if”. I would normally make a different choice that would change the outcome in my mind but the harsh reality is that that was the only place where the ending was different. In real life, the tragedy did in fact happen and I was struggling to cope with the events.
Through some searching I came to realize that what I had developed would later be diagnosed as a disorder known as Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome (or Disorder) and it was frequently treated with heaps of mind altering drugs. Further investigations allowed me to come to the conclusion that not only was I not alone in my struggles but that there were many others who had developed the same thing. Individuals who are in high stress environments such as firemen, police and soldiers all have high probability of developing Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (Disorder).
I figured that if these individuals had been experiencing this for generations (under various medical names), then surely there had to be a natural treatment that didn’t involve bags of pharmaceutical drugs. I didn’t want to just be another statistic that ended up drugged and unable to cope in the real world. Through more investigating, I discovered a treatment being used for soldiers known as Horticulture Therapy. If these tough guys were using some sort of plant therapy to heal themselves, then bring on the garden gloves.
What is Horticulture Therapy? Officially, it’s the process of using horticulture techniques along with a trained professional in a calming environment for the purpose of improving physical and mental well being. After reading the description, I honestly just thought it sounded like a fancy form of gardening with somebody that had fancy initials behind their name. I soon discovered that not only were Horticulture Therapy centers not all over the United States but the chances of insurance paying for it were slim.
Even so I continued to read all the available information I could find that involved the connection between Horticulture Therapy and PTSD treatment. Apparently, this was not a new treatment because physicians in ancient Egypt used to “prescribe” walks around the gardens for mental health issues. Today, a variety of therapists and physicians are recommending Horticulture Therapy for not only PTSD but to help those struggling with depression, anxiety, surgical recovery and really any form of severe trauma.
Gardening, I mean Horticulture Therapy, makes perfect sense as a treatment for loneliness as well. Consider that there are garden clubs in almost every major city around the globe and not only do the frequently get together to hold educational classes but they are highly populated by elderly individuals. I wouldn’t be surprised if the future involves pulling humans outdoors and away from toxic environments to rebalance their mind and body.
Not only was insurance not likely to cover it, I supposed that most “normal” physicians would most likely not understand it or see the value of it. On top of this, who was going to watch my very little children while I rebuild what was slowly crumbling down? Who would finance this new therapy I had discovered?
Rather than accept defeat, I threw the kids in the car one day and hit up the local garden center. Once there, I purchased materials for garden beds, potting soil and just a heap of edible plants that I wanted to try my hand at growing. If I had to choose between spending large sums of money on therapy or planting in my yard, I’d take my yard any day.
The next day I put the kids in their bedroom to play and went outside determined to change my future. As long as they were safe, I could start getting my garden beds laid out across my lawn. Slowly but surely, bed after bed came together and would get filled with a variety of plants. If it wasn’t raining, I was outside doing something involving the garden beds. As the kids would grow older, I would involve them in my outdoor activities.
After a little over a week, I noticed that the recall episodes I had been having frequently were actually coming less and less to my mind. I knew I was onto something but ever the skeptic, I accepted a wait and see approach. I continued to spend time in the garden with the goal of self evaluation every few weeks. As things typically do, weeks turned into months and months turned into years. I can’t say that I’m completely one-hundred percent cured because I’m definitely not there.
Sometimes, I still have flash backs that require me to re-center myself and focus on the here and now. I still do not trust certain individuals or people who exhibit certain characteristics. And while I try to enjoy church, it’s still a struggle to have my back face the main entrance of the church because every time the door creaks open I want to know who is walking through it and if they’re a threat. I have my good days and my bad, but there are fewer bad days.
I’m still here and I haven’t given up the fight to heal myself. I haven’t given up because not only do I deserve the ability to heal but my kids and family need me to function so they can heal too. I’m not a therapist or a physician but if you’re struggling with some mental issues then I’d suggest you give your doctor a call and have them work with you to come up with solutions. Until you’re able to get into your physicians office, why not take a run to your local garden center and pick up a few things? If you aren’t physically able to get outside and work with a large garden, just pick up a small bag of potting soil, a variety of planters and some indoor plants. Small steps every day.
I wish you healing and many verdant gardens in your environment.
Suburban & Rural Homesteading Today 