Tim, a U.S. Marines veteran in his early 50s, was transitioning between careers when he learned how disabling chronic post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be—cognitively as well as emotionally. Smart, but emotionally fragile, Tim had battled PTSD for 23 years when, during a particularly stressful semester in his training to become a respiratory therapist, he lost his memory for a week. He could not do the calculations he knew so well, and could not complete the semester. Slowly, he put pieces of his memory back together. But the stress and frustration did not stop after the term was over. He suffered a mental breakdown in early 2012 and was diagnosed with general anxiety disorder.

 

Tim put his studies on hold and worked on becoming mentally and physically well. He began attending “Discover the Artist Within You” classes at the Fairhill Partners studio and discovered that art therapy helped him regain his concentration and focus. His ability to do his school work is much improved, and he finds creating art to be very relaxing.

 

“I have found my “niche” and it’s cheap and affordable,” says Tim. “I like the way my art brightens up my life and brings joy to others.”

 

“Discover the Artist Within You” classes help people like Tim develop their artistic talent as they deal with pain, stress, and life-altering changes resulting from serious illness or disability. Winter classes begin January 5. For more information, visit www.arttherapystudio.org.

 

Art Therapy Studio

12200 Fairhill Road

Cleveland, Ohio 44120

arttherapystudio.org

216.791.9303

 

 

Photo caption:

A mixed media work by Tim Frost