This quilt is meant to represent post-traumatic stress disorder. PTSD is a mental health condition triggered by an emotionally adverse event that causes flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety and more.

What to look for: The "courthouse steps" block is a traditional quilting block that I utilized to look like an hourglass with the red space becoming less and then returning, much like the healing process from trauma. The hand quilting is meant to give an impression of a fingerprint, as many identify with their trauma experiences. The red rectangle off to the right is a small glimmer of hope, where the identity with the pain is no longer connected. Healing through traumatic events takes a great deal of work to decrease negative response to and reliving of triggers, reframe the way you view the world, and cope with negative experiences. 

Book recommendation(s):  These books are not meant to replace medical intervention and/or skilled therapy.

What Happened To You? Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing. https://a.co/d/04ReqDW

The Complex PTSD Workbook: A Mind-Body Approach to Regaining Emotional Control and Becoming Whole https://a.co/d/31kopNL

From NIMH (National Institute for Mental Health):

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a disorder that develops in some people who have experienced a shocking, scary, or dangerous event. It is natural to feel afraid during and after a traumatic situation. Fear triggers many split-second changes in the body to help defend against danger or to avoid it. This “fight-or-flight” response is a typical reaction meant to protect a person from harm.

Nearly everyone will experience a range of reactions after trauma, yet most people recover from initial symptoms naturally. Those who continue to experience problems may be diagnosed with PTSD. People who have PTSD may feel stressed or frightened, even when they are not in danger.

While most but not all traumatized people experience short term symptoms, the majority do not develop ongoing (chronic) PTSD. Not everyone with PTSD has been through a dangerous event. Some experiences, like the sudden, unexpected death of a loved one, can also cause PTSD. Symptoms usually begin early, within 3 months of the traumatic incident, but sometimes they begin years afterward.

Symptoms must last more than a month and be severe enough to interfere with relationships or work to be considered PTSD. The course of the illness varies. Some people recover within 6 months, while others have symptoms that last much longer. In some people, the condition becomes chronic. Symptoms may include re-experiencing symptoms (flashbacks, nightmares, frightening thoughts), avoidance symptoms (avoiding thoughts, feelings, places, etc.), arousal/reactivity symptoms (startled, on edge, outbursts, difficulty sleeping), and cognitive & mood symptoms.  

PTSD is not just associated with military combat experiences, ANYONE can experience PTSD symptoms after witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event.
 

Resources:

Click here to watch a 5min video on the psychology of PTSD

Click here to watch a 9min video on how art can help heal some of the wounds of PTSD (trigger warning)

Learn more about this diagnosis at the National Institute for Mental Health.