Woman with PTSD feels 'abandoned' by Western Health

A woman from Newfoundland's west coast is speaking out, saying her mental illness is not being properly treated by the healthcare system.

Debbie Samson, who suffers from what she describes as a complex form of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), moved to Hampden from Labrador West last fall.

Her PTSD was caused by a traumatic childhood and gang-related activity from when she lived in Ontario. She says during that time she had a gun held to her head and added that her work can trigger her symptoms.

She said there's a long waiting list to see any of the area's seven psychiatrists, which means she hasn't been able to get in to see one.

Samson told CBC News when she sought help from a family doctor, he wouldn't treat her after seeing her diagnosis and long list of medications.

"I feel some people at Western Health do not understand this illness," she said.

"I just hope by telling this story, someone else won't go through what I been through."

Looking elsewhere for support

Samson is now seeing a private counsellor to deal with her unique form of PTSD.

Western Health won't comment on Samson's experience, but did say there are mental health services in nearby Deer Lake that she can avail of.

However, Samson says the stress of not getting help she wants from Western Health has left her further traumatized.

"Had my family not been here, I may not be here talking to you," she said.

"I felt very abandoned. When you have trauma in your childhood, abandonment is an issue."