Living with PTSD from Mold Exposure: A Personal Journey
Written by Casey McCurry
Casey is the Director of Intake and Client Advocacy at JUST WELL LAW, she is a mold survivor, a mother, and a fierce advocate for military families. Read Casey’s biography and learn more about her by visiting our contributing writers list here.
For a long time, I believed that PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) was a condition exclusive to soldiers who had faced the horrors of war. It seemed distant, a part of stories I heard or movies I watched. I never imagined that one day, PTSD would become a very real part of my life, triggered by mold exposure.
My journey with PTSD began when I encountered a severe mold problem in military housing. What started as a minor inconvenience turned into a pervasive infestation that disrupted my life in ways I never thought possible. The physical symptoms were just the beginning – the insomnia, the headaches, the muscle zaps. But it was the psychological aftermath that truly took a toll on me.
Every time it rains hard or there's even the slightest possibility of a leak, my heart races, and panic sets in. The sound of raindrops hitting the roof isn't calming; it's a harbinger of potential disaster. I find myself constantly on edge, my mind racing with worst-case scenarios. What if the mold comes back? What if I have to go through this ordeal all over again? These thoughts are my constant companions.
Walking through stores or visiting friends' homes, my eyes are always scanning the ceilings and vents. What used to be casual observations have turned into intense inspections. A dark spot or a shadow on the ceiling can send me into a spiral of anxiety. I lose my mind over the slightest hint of what could be mold. I know it sounds irrational to others, but to me, it's a very real threat.
In my own home, the place where I should feel safest, I am constantly on high alert. Every corner, every ceiling, every vent is a potential source of distress. I jump at shadows, my mind immediately thinking the worst. It’s an exhausting way to live, always waiting for the next catastrophe.
PTSD has many faces, and mine just happens to be shaped by mold exposure. The trauma of dealing with an invisible, insidious enemy has left a mark on my psyche. It has made me hyper-vigilant, always on guard, always ready to act at the first sign of trouble. It’s a state of being that I wouldn’t wish on anyone.
What I’ve come to realize through this experience is that trauma is deeply personal. It doesn’t matter what causes it – whether it’s war, an accident, or something as seemingly innocuous as mold. The impact on the mind and body is profound and far-reaching. PTSD is not confined to any one type of experience; it’s a response to any event that overwhelms our ability to cope.
Living with PTSD from mold exposure has been a challenging journey, but it has also taught me the importance of empathy and understanding. We never truly know what battles others are fighting beneath the surface. What may seem trivial to one person can be a source of immense stress and anxiety for another.
I am learning to navigate this new reality, to find ways to manage my fears and anxieties. It’s a slow process, but with each passing day, I gain a bit more strength and resilience. My hope in sharing my story is to shed light on the diverse faces of PTSD and to remind others that they are not alone in their struggles.
If you or someone you know is dealing with PTSD, regardless of the cause, remember that help is available. Reach out, talk to someone, and don’t be afraid to seek support. Healing is possible, even from the most unexpected sources of trauma.
