The Block’s Ankur and Sharon Face Backlash After Claiming They Have “PTSD”

It’s actually unbelievable how much drama can come from a seemingly-innocent renovation show. The Block is nearing the pointy end of the competition, with the grand finale airing on November 6.

However, in the lead-up to auction day, contestants Ankur Dogra and Sharon Johal have managed to ruffle a few feathers.

Ankur, who is an accountant outside of the show, has been questioned over his professionalism by foremen Keith and Dan after he and Sharon went $26,000 over the allocated budget — again. 

Keith and Dan confronted the couple and their lead landscaper, Tim, before they had the chance to look at the figures.

“What are you going to do? Ankur, you’re an accountant. Have you been all over this?” asked Keith.

“We’ve been under budgetary restriction for a long time. Whenever Keith and Dan come up, or even Scotty [Cam] addresses it, I suppose we’re defensive about it,” said Ankur, who believes his “livelihood” shouldn’t have been brought up. 

He added: “They come full force. It’s pretty confronting. I think we have PTSD from the previous occurrences also.”

Ankur using the term PTSD to describe his feelings struck a nerve with viewers, with people saying the serious mental health condition shouldn’t be thrown around so lightly.

No, Ankor. You're not going to get PTSD from spending too much money that isn't yours! Get outta here. #TheBlock

— Jules🖤💛❤ (@julsie75) October 24, 2022

If you dont like being called an accountant in that way Ankur, then don't say you have PTSD from previous interactions.

Two very very different things.#TheBlock

— Mark Thomas (@sgtmarkthomas) October 24, 2022

PTSD! Pull your head in!
You spend more and more more each week, you make mistakes each week. You slack off, sleep in your car, don't pull your weight. Its all your own doing. #theblock

— oneregperson (@KoalaJayne) October 24, 2022

Post-traumatic stress disorder can occur after someone witnesses and experiences something traumatic.

The backlash comes after Sharon said she had PTSD earlier in the month. During the show, the pair were chatting to Scott Cam about their build, unsure of how he would respond.

“Whenever we hear Scotty’s coming for a visit, we get really anxious,” she said: “We’ve got PTSD from the last couple of visits that we’ve had”.

The comment was not received well, and people took to Twitter to express their frustrations.

I wish ppl would stop using the term PTSD as a verb to explain stress

As someone who has volunteered 4 yrs w/women in crisis, & is a reg. emergency foster carer, women who've been abused, children also, suffered in 100s of ways PTSD is a real thing & not a verb#theblock

— VišnjaCreates (@VisnjaCreates) October 11, 2022

ptsd is a genuine condition that affects many every year and sharon is using it like it’s a quirk. just no. 💀 #theblock

— ‍‍Alisha. (@Lisheon) October 11, 2022

This season, a number of contestants have been called out for making light of mental health issues such as Bipolar Disorder and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

Just last month, social worker and Blockhead Sarah-Jane Wilson was criticised for describing her competitors room as “bipolar”.

“This house has bipolar. You never know what you’re going to get depending on their mood,” she said after seeing Sharon and Ankur’s build.

The Block: Tree Change airs from Sunday – Wednesday on Channel 9 and 9Now.