With 1 in 5 women in the military being a victim of sexual violence, it makes them 9 times more likely to develop PTSD. Past Doctors guest Debra is a symbol that survival is possible and she returns to share her inspiring story.
Earlier this season, the single mom shared that she was the victim of a sexual assault while serving which caused her crippling PSTD. She was also dealing with chronic pain in her lower back and hips and did not have a permanent home of her own. We enlisted the help orthopedic surgeon Dr. Brad Thomas, to help with her pain, and pain management specialist and anesthesiologist Dr. Eugene Lipov, to treat her PSTD.
More with Debra: See Her Amazing Makeover!
“Everything has changed,” a vibrant and smiling Debra tells The Doctors. “I’m feeling better, my kids are better. We found a place [to live]. I got a job offer. So everything has been tremendously 100 percent better.”
Prior to being treated by Dr. Lipov, where he used an injection of Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB), which can reboot the brain’s fight or flight instinct, Debra shares that she constantly felt “on alert” and now she says that feeling of anxiety has finally dissipated. She also shares that she’s now able to manage her pain and she is off her pain management medications.
“With the [SGB] shot, I went from survival to living,” Debra says.
Watch: Survivors of Military Sexual Assault Open Up About PTSD
The Doctors also welcome Alicia and Toni, two more military sexual assault survivors, who both have had amazing changes after undergoing procedures to help with their PTSD.
Watch the video below to hear more about their inspiring stories of survival, including a special appearance by Debra’s son Justin.
