I want to personally thank Elizabeth for nominating me for “Best Blogger Recognition Award 2017”!

What an honor this is. Like Elizabeth, I am a PTSD blog extraordinaire too. Her blog is similar to mine in the aspect that we both write about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and relating topics.

What’s unique about her special blog is that it includes her favorite books of the week, features guest bloggers, and gives inside perspective and advice regarding parenting with a mental illness. What’s exceptionally neat is her “Fiction Friday’s” section. Her stories, content, featured blogger posts, and coping skills will make a wonderful addition to your PTSD or CPTSD library of resources.

Why Did I Start My PTSD Blog?

After facing close to two years of Complex PTSD (CPTSD) symptoms, I realized that I had a lot to offer others. During that time I thought, certainly there must be others out there scouring the internet for answers. Likewise, encouragement, support, and some type of direction. I would spend hours researching all things PTSD related. This was for the purpose of educating myself on my new life.

Essentiall, I was handed a brand new life when my husband was given his diagnosis. Well, my new life actually began prior to “diagnosis”. Actually, it began when the symptoms seeped into our lives prior to knowing the why, how, when, etc. Anyway, through searching for help on the internet I realized there wasn’t much information pertaining to my situation. First of all, most of the websites that I visited were hard to understand with all the medical jargon.

Secondly, I found blogs and websites about PTSD symptoms but they were designed with military combat related PTSD. Although combat related PTSD information is still helpful, it didn’t fully describe my husband’s behavior. Furthermore, they didn’t cover details about symptoms my husband experienced.

PTSD Blog and Websites

Finally, the blogs and websites that I came across did not list much help for the supporting spouse or partner of someone who experiences PTSD or CPTSD symptoms. Due to the lack of information that left me feeling extremely isolated, I started my PTSD blog. My PTSD blog launched towards the end of January 2017.

Essentially, my goal was and still is to reach other people who feel the same way that I did. In the same way, to offer hope, inspiration, and information that is important to them. You see, when a person develops PTSD or CPTSD, their symptoms and behavior during active symptoms are traumatic for anyone close to them.

Notably so, their spouse is typically the closest person, apart from their children. As a spouse supporting for your loved one facing PTSD or CPTSD, you can develop Vicarious PTSD. For instance, I had been diagnosed with this “Vicarious PTSD”.

PTSD Blog: Tips For New Bloggers

Instead of listing only two tips for new bloggers I felt it necessary to list several that I enjoyed learning on my own. Learn more about starting your own blog and share your story. With this in mind, here are the steps that I took before I launched my PTSD blog.

1. Choose a niche or specific content theme that you are interested in and passionate about.
2. Research possible blog hosting sites where your blog will live. There are free sites like WordPress or Blogger. Take into account features and tech support for each one. Make a list of pros and cons. Then do the same research for hosting sites that charge.

What benefits do they offer that the free sites don’t? A couple paid hosting sites are The Blog Press and Blue Host. I went with The Blog press. Mostly because they offer the best support and complimentary WordPress themes that can cost upwards of $150 each.

1. Choose your domain and purchase it. Get creative with it! Then, most crucial is making a list of 50 blog post topics for your future content. After you have chosen your blog hosting site, niche, domain, and prepped for your first 50 articles, set up social media accounts for your blog

Benefits of Using the Blog Press Include: 

• Support And Coaching
  Our very knowledgeable support team is here to answer ALL of your blogging questions. Seriously, no blogging question is off-limits. If we don’t know the answer, we’ll help you find it!
• Free “How To Blog” Training
  We provide free training to all of our customers on both WordPress and How To Create A Successful Blog  Most traditional web hosts and “free” services charge extra for this, if they provide it at all.
• Full-Service Blog Hosting (running on the WordPress platform)
  The key word here is “full-service”. In addition to all the standard hosting stuff, we help you set up your blog’s theme, plugins, email subscribe, and anything else you need help with.
• 150+ Premium Themes
  We have already installed more than 150 premium themes so you will not need to purchase a theme yourself. These are not free themes – they normally cost around $99 each if you were to purchase them yourself.
• All The Plugins You Need To Be Successful
  We’ve already installed (and will help you setup) the best plugins you need to run your blog (email subscribe, social media sharing, ad widgets, contact forms, custom text widgets, Google Analytics, recipe widgets, PayPal, and much more.

Now, You Need to Market Your Blog

There isn’t one single, absolute best way to market a niche blog. In fact, what I found to work really well is implementing several social media channels. Here’s some simple and free ways to grow your audience:

1. Create a Facebook Page

   Specific for your blog. Create a new post with a Link to each article that you publish. Then share it in groups on Facebook that are in your niche.

2. Set Up More Social Media Accounts

  Begin with Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter, and Quora.

3.  Create Power Point Slides

This can be time consuming but super beneficial in assisting with your ranking on search engine queries. Do this for all 50 blog posts and publish them on SlideShare.net. Be sure to include a url to your blog on each slide.

4. Reach Out to Larger Syndicate Sites

Target those who’s content matches your niche and ask if they are looking for guest bloggers. They can publish your blog posts which should include a url back to your site. Typically your links will be listed in the personal bio that you provide for them.

5. Make Connections with Other Writers

There are thousands of authors/publishers who would love to connect with you. Follow them on their social media posts. Comment and share their posts. Doing so will show your support for them. Showing their site or blog some reciprocating love will go a long way. But, be sincere and authentic about it.

PTSD Wifey’s: Blog Nominees…

Not all of my nominees necessarily own a PTSD blog. However, each person was hand picked by me after reviewing close to 75 sites. Each person or site listed has engaging content, very helpful information, and are highly influential. Spend some time on their sites and enjoy all of the beneficial articles available. To point out, most of them allow you to subscribe to their blog for free! I have nominated 15 total and will update my list daily as I receive expedient bios from each one.

PTSD Daddy! 

What a clever name– no, I am not being bias here. He is a father with PTSD and hasa family. He is a medically retired Special Forces Soldier, who has PTSD. He embraces the realization that PTSD is our own personal enemy, with the right tactics, preparation, training and conditioning, we can win. I don’t know about you, but he certainly did not live through countless firefights and IED’s to come home and be defeated by PTSD! You shouldn’t either!

His blog is all about the real ugly side of PTSD and the positives of symptom remission and recovery. He shares how most people may not know how much work there is in life, until you serve and spend all of your time “protecting”. Resulting in PTSD keeping you in a constant “protect mode.” Definitely check him out and follow him on Twitter.

 PTSD Chick: 

She blogs about non-combat PTSD. She shares stories and offers coping and healing programs for those who face PTSD deriving from sexual trauma. She is passionate about creating awareness for other causes of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Given this point, she covers trauma from being a police officer, firefighter, vehicle accident, involvement in a life threatening experience, survivor regret, abuse of any kind.

Jamie Macwhirter

Founder of PTSD Buddies has an amazing website with a “Support Forum”. His support forum is compiled of PTSD related topics organized in specific categories. This makes it easy to find exactly what you are looking for at any given time. I love how he has made thousands of connections through publishing his book, “A Soldier’s Tale – A Newfoundland Soldier in Afghanistan”.

Melody Nonan:

Who blogs for Treasured Lives, a soon to be non-profit who focuses on celebrating lives saved from suicide and learning from lives lost. She blogs about suicide prevention and the trauma endured from losing a loved one from suicide. She is passionate about creating a stronger awareness for suicide prevention. Having dealt with loss from a personal perspective, she gives hope and inspiration. Check out her website to see how you can get involved. Additionally, the site gives you coping skills, and tips on how to identify someone at risk.

Amy Bushatz

Who blogs for military.com. I really like how she offers a lot of information regarding marriage facing PTSD. Some of her articles are not for the faint of heart. But, most will definitely touch your heart. Military.com is such a terrific resource for all soldiers and their families. This includes active military and veterans. On this site you will find helpful information regarding military related mental illness and physical disabilities. Furthermore, they even list career opportunities.

My Next Order Of Nominees

Torrey Shannon:

She blogs about being a caregiver for a loved one with PTSD. I love the tips she gives to reduce stress and take care of yourself. Caregivers have a difficult job taking care of other’s in need. Whether they are caring for someone with a mental illness or physically disabled, it can be strenuous on you. She shares excellent ways that a caregiver can ensure they are thinking about their own well-being. 

Bill White: 

Mr. White is a successful copy writer contracted with Chipur, a site full of helpful articles with content focusing on depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. White recently posted “PTSD and a Real World Story”. As a mental health professional, his style great stories that inspire. He shares stories from other mental health bloggers that provide valuable information to the mental health community. Definitely visit his site. There are thousands of articles nicely arranged. As a result, you will be able to find information relevant to your situation very quickly. 

Carl from Canada:

This gentleman has a truly outstanding PTSD blog and podcast series with self-help tips giving you a winning stance against the invisible disease that has so many of us not knowing where to turn. PTSD is no different than any other health problem, however, most times the answer to PTSD, is typically the easiest one to find. as well as Facebook and Twitter page.

Living With Stigma:

Deb authors a blog covering mental health that peaks her interest. Including a variety of various topics, beautiful poetry, quotes for inspiration, images and re-blogging from other blogger’s incredible posts.  her perspective journey through depression, the healing process of PTSD and maternal narcissism with therapy etc. Follow her on Twitter!

 Imommy (Maria):

Writes about motherhood, family, children, issues surrounding current awareness initiatives, and much more. Her blog is full of wonderful and insightful content. You will enjoy her writing style and her articles very much. Her perspective on post-pardum depression is enlightening. Additionally, she shares advice on raising children while living with a behavioral health challenge.

Last But Not Least Nominees:

Healing Complex Trauma & PTSD: 

This website was created to assist people in their healing from complex trauma journey. Also for those supporting someone they know, or wishing to educate themselves further about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder – PTSD, Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder C-PTSD, and complex trauma. This website results from considerable research, plus the author’s counselling and their insight into complex trauma. It is aimed from the perspective of a survivor.

Davina  Lytle:

Author of a well written and engaging blog with content surrounding her personal experience with PTSD. She is a PTSD survivor and is publishing her book very soon, “I’m still here: A survivor’s guide to living with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)”. Her goal is hoping to bring more awareness to living and coping with this disease. Connect with her on Twitter and visit her blog.

Blogger Recognition Nominee Rules:

The rules for the Best Blogger Recognition Award are as follows:

• • Thank the blogger who nominated you and provide a link to his or her blog ✔
  • Write a post to show off your award to everyone ✔
  • Tell a brief story about how your blog got started ✔
  • Give two pieces of advice to new bloggers ✔
  • Select 15 other awesome bloggers to nominate for the award (some of these may have to be blogs I’ve been silently looking at.)✔
  • Comment on their blogs telling them the good news ✔

I can’t wait to see who all gets nominated for the Best Blogger Recognition Award 2017.

This is going to be huge! There are blogs raising awareness about misunderstood mental health issues, or braving personal traumas in order to break stigmas. Including blogs sharing creative entertainments, or just crafting words. More importantly, these blogs bring more joy and understanding to this world.

All of these bloggers use their platforms to make this world just that much better. Congratulations nominees: You all deserve this show of grattitude and appreciation. Good luck to all of you amazing and talented keyboard ninjas out there!

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My personal reviews are for products and services that I’ve used. Each product listed are what I have benefitted from, trust, like, and approve of. If you find these products valuable and you purchase any of them to help you or your loved one along your journey to recovery and remission of CPTSD or PTSD symptoms please note that I am compensated for each product purchased. The compensations earned help to fund my blog and reach out to others like you and I who are on the same journey.