My name is Pete DePrez. I spent ten years as a first responder in the State of Colorado. In 2019, I was diagnosed with PTSD, ending my career in Law Enforcement. I began questioning my diagnosis almost immediately.
The medical definition of PTSD is summarized as: someone who is traumatized by an individual or several shocking events. But, I was never traumatized by anything I had seen or done. What I quickly learned is that most of the men and women I encountered from both my community and that of the veteran community, felt the same. We weren't haunted, or overwhelmed, or traumatized by bad dreams or memories; we just couldn't sleep. Our short term memories were nonexistent. We had trouble focusing, were unusually irritable and jumpy and suffered from waves of depression that triggered substance abuse and isolation. That doesn't fit the definition of PTSD. So, what is it?
I discovered the work of Dr. Mark L. Gordon and the breakthroughs he has made with both veterans and first responders, utilizing Hormone Therapy. Not only has Dr. Gordon discovered causation for our symptoms, he has a cure.
Medically, we know: brain trauma leads to hormone imbalances. Disregulated sleep patterns affect our endocrine system and hormone levels. Chronic stress affects inflammation and hormone levels. Any of those outside influences can begin the downward spiral of hormone levels, that lead to PTSD-like symptoms. Pharmaceutical drugs and talk therapy, which are the methods currently utilized, cannot resolve those symptoms.
I made the decision to launch a documentary series which asks the question, "Is it PTSD?" In this project I will be showing the benefits of hormone therapy, from beginning to end, and highlight others who are also healing with these methods. I believe strongly that this is the way forward for many; including athletes involved in contact sports, addiciton treatment and anyone who lives in high stress environments for extended periods of time.
In the end, it matters little what we call this disorder. What matters is that people are suffering, and there is a way to make them better.
Please support this project and help bring light to a topic so full of darkness.
Thank you,
Pete DePrez Jr.
