Captain Cherissa Jackson, also known as “America’s Combat Nurse,” serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration to those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). After completing four grueling tours in Iraq and Afghanistan on the front line of death and destruction — in addition to managing the struggles of single parenthood – the retired Air Force nurse had to come to grips with her new reality. She was living with a serious and potentially debilitating condition.
“I actually discovered I had PTSD in 2012,” she tells BlackDoctor.org. “I kind of self-diagnosed. As a nurse, I had been in combat three times during four deployments. So, I had seen soldiers with PTSD and knew the symptoms like the back of my hand. So, when I started exhibiting those symptoms myself, it began to sink in that I may be struggling with PTSD,” Jackson added.
“However, it didn’t really become apparent, until I dropped my daughters – I’m a single mom of twin daughters – off at college in August 2012 (Towson University). Once I got back home my life was simple. I didn’t have to worry about them or getting stuff prepared for college – all I had to worry about was me,” Jackson continued.
“That’s when all my emotions came to a head. The flashbacks came at me fast, like someone was throwing rocks at me and I knew I was in trouble — as I hid in the darkness in a corner of my home after waking up from an episode on the couch, basically in survival mode.”
“I didn’t tell anyone then. I suffered in silence for months,” Jackson said of hiding her diagnosis before making the decision to seek out a psychiatrist.
Meanwhile, Jackson shared she suffered from insomnia, hyper vigilance, depression and anxiety in large crowds, all classic symptoms of PTSD. “I was basically a zombie every day, going to work, coming home, walking my dog and being secluded in my condo,” she said. Adding that she went through a season of “excessive spending” to fill a void created by the memories she was experiencing.
Now, a survivor of the disorder, onset by failure to recover after experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event, the mother of two prides herself an advocate – helping sufferers and their families better manage their lives.
Familiar with treatment associated with the condition, Jackson revealed she shied away from medications like “Zoloft, Ambien, and all of those antidepressants,” opting to use “exercise, meditation and her spirituality” to help cope with symptoms. “I knew I didn’t want this to be the rest of my life, so I weened myself off of the pills.,” said Jackson. “One thing I found when I was running was, that the more I ran, it was like I was sweating away my PTSD.” A formula Cherissa calls a “lifesaver” and option definitely worth exploring.
As for families caring for someone with PTSD, Jackson urges them to “get down to the basics.” Adding that “you have to understand that the person you knew before – they will never be.”
She continued, “He’s still your husband, loved one and friend. But, you have to accept that he’s a new person – know their needs and triggers so you can better help him and in turn, better help yourself.”
For veterans, Jackson says, “you’re not crazy.” With PTSD no longer considered a mental illness, Jackson advises vets to “stop suffering in silence” and get the help they need “by any means.” It could be “traditional means with medications or some of the many nontraditional methods that are out here and working, like yoga.”
In addition to the nontraditional approach Jackson’s adopted, she revealed writing helped her cope. “Part of my recovery was writing a book titled At Peace: Not in Pieces; and “At Peace” actually spells out the acronym which outlines seven principles for overcoming obstacles as a PTSD survivor,” said Jackson. “Those principles are acknowledge, transition, perseverance, engage, accept, courage and empowerment.”
Most recently, the former critical care nurse traveled to Rome, Italy by invitation of the Vatican, DRC President Christian Malanga and Italian Diplomats, to further discussions about the atrocities both women and children are facing in the Congo. Her philanthropy work has landed her a place in the SHERO Hall of Fame.
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