I am susceptible to PTD and I have friends who also struggle with it. PTD is not uncommon. It strikes when you least expect it and, if it’s left unchecked, PTD can leave you feeling worthless, defeated, and inept as a communicator.
What is PTD? PTD is short for Post Talk Depression. A person who has been stricken with PTD will, in spite of prayer, preparation, and experience, walk away from any discussion with any audience and feel tremendously conflicted over how they conveyed what they had been given. Regret sets in as well as self loathing and doubt. Usually the victim wishes they could take it all back.
Here are common triggers…
1. Judging a talk by the length and not content.
2. Fishing for compliments.
3. Over-analyzing reactions.
4. Reading Facebook.
5. Lamenting things said and things unsaid.
6. Putting stock in yourself.
7. Believing that even God thinks you screwed up.
8. Not talking to anyone about it or being unwilling to get trusted feedback.
You fight PTD with community and trust in God that he uses you even when you don’t realize it. Have faith that he is never taken by surprise and that if you have sought him he is not hiding from you or holding your sin against his children.
What are ways that you fight PTD?
