S4E11 – Cam & Sharn Watts: Foxhole Buddies In the Fight Against PTSD

The Unforgiving60

This is a very special episode of the Unforgiving 60 podcast. Over the years, we’ve spoken with a number of people who have suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder – and a number of people who are helping those who are suffering. But while a lot of the focus is – rightly – placed on the individual with this diagnosis, it’s rarely just that person who is impacted. In this episode, we get to hear the perspectives of both an individual who has fought PTSD – as well as his amazing partner.

Cam Watts spent almost 14 years in the Australian Federal Police and as a result of his service, developed the symptoms of PTSD and was eventually diagnosed with the condition. The one constant in this tumultuous journey was his wife Sharn. In this episode, Cam and Sharn share their stories and talk about how they’re now using their experience to help other families.

6:33 How Cam and Sharn met – and what Cam was doing at the time

11:55 A bit of a primer on the difference between the Australian Federal Police and the state police services

14:19 Sharn’s backstory

18:19 Sharn’s experiences setting up a small business

20:45 What makes yoga so important to Sharn?

23:45 What exactly is PTSD – and when did Cam realise that he had it?

28:00 Coming to terms with PTSD – from a personal and professional perspective

33:10 What brought on Cam’s PTSD – was it a single incident, a constant series of traumas – or a bit of both?

38:30 Sharn’s perspective – how she first became aware that something wasn’t right. Plus – the psychological dangers of over-flexing your ‘fine’ muscle!

56:05 Getting a formal diagnosis – and what happened from there

1:06:05 The impacts on Sharn – ‘no-one was looking out for me!’

1:12:35 What advice would Cam and Sharn give to people going through similar experiences

1:23:18 Fortem – one of the ways that Cam and Sharn are using their experiences to help others. And an organisation which works to support the families as well as the impacted individual

www.unforgiving60.com

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External Links

Fortem Australia – supporting those who defend, protect and care for our community

Music

The Externals – available on Spotify

Ben Frichot - available on Spotify