A SOLDIER'S PERSPECTIVE
THE WEB'S LEADING MILITARY BLOG SINCE 2004
In class on last Thursday, I met some resistance to the idea that chronic, complex or combat PTSD cannot be cured. The most recent and relative research concludes this finding and offers a series of treatments designed to give the person a more complete identity and sense of self. I understood their argument and based on the understanding of primary structural dissociation and simple PTSD, their rhetoric and argument would have merit. But, an expanded understanding on the nature of secondary and tertiary dissociation of the personality would reveal the underlying nature of multiple traumatizations and the shattering of an identity.
I hit a wall in trying to impart my experience from one who is mentally ill, with an educated perspective on that which I was speaking on. To say the least the futility I felt in that room that day was almost overwhelming. I started to get defensive and flustered with their repeated attempts to bolster their arguments and counter the information I was miserably failing to impart. They were trying to tell me that some people use their mental illness as a crutch, or an excuse.
They did not realize I was not trying to argue a point, but to give a perspective on what it was like for me to finally realize that others thought as I did, that shared my perceptions and I could identify with. I was attempting to verbalize my insights as it relates to the inner world of someone with a mental illness. I felt as if I was being attacked, that they were insinuating that I was the one trying to make excuses or make use of a crutch. I acquiesced on this point, yes I did make excuses and use this as a crutch when I was without a plan of recovery. I told them that recovery is a process, one cannot get from A to D, without first going through B and C.
That day was the day I fully realized that magnitude of the depth and permeation of the stigma attached to mental illness, gaining its teeth from this same attitude and limited “understanding.”
How can I make others understand if a group of future Social Workers cannot get past their own biases and prejudgments? How can one who does not experience a world completely different from their own, accept my worldview? How can they understand that unreality is my reality?
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New Scam to be aware of……….I am 2LT. Anderson Darrell Clinton , an off
SSgtJ
It is very frustrating isn’t it? We have been fighting this kind of battle for years. Everything we have experienced and researched being rejected by those who should be willing to at least consider it. Good luck RG, I know what you are going through.
One thing I had to learn to ask … could it be, just possibly be, that I am wrong? … we all need to ask ourselves that question once in awhile …
Roman General
A resounding agreement from me here in the peanut gallery.
Iraq Rose
To be shut inside a world that is more real than one could share in words can be lonely as much as it is horrifying. It’s the lower brain activation: intinctual, nonverbal, very wise. I never experienced war combat but did have PTSD, diagnosed 21 years ago. When Alice enters the Looking Glass, the beginning of a spiritual evolution phase occurs. Wecome to the real warrior journey. Cheers to your victorious health! In my crisis time I met many demons, bad behaved doctors too, but evaded them with the help of key people watching out for me when I was helpless. I did have to suffer off and on many years with anxiety attacks and fears. Never medicated it past the inital crisis period. Occasional drinks that’s it. It’s the past now. I know how to fight by rebuilding healthy defenses when they are down. You have to strength train to stay stong. As a medical professional, east-west, and from my heart I will tell you, that symptoms fade over time if you take care of yourself. GENERALLY you should not need ongoing medication unless for sleep now and then. If you get into healthy lifestyle, whole foods, loving supportive relationships, natural medicine, in all areas of your life you will transform your mind and body. You will heal completely. Then you look around you and notice that most people are a bit neurotic. Watch other’s defense mechanisms and little personality quirks and realize how far you have come! So if you get anxious, depressed, angry once in a while this is human too…so do many folks without diagnosed PTSD. It means your strength is down at that moment. Perhaps a loss of a sense of security, or a relationship issue can bring up a symptom. Once you know your triggers and learn to use tools, you can beat it, whatever is up, find yourself more whole than most people. Feel free to contact through our websites: http://www.acubody.com & http://www.iraqrose.org
Bessings from a Healer.
MarineDurable
I could not agree more with the last comment made about combatting c-PTSD with whole foods, HEALTHY and SUPPORTIVE relationships, etc. I am a spouse of a veteran Marine (infantry) who already had a plethora of personal traumatic issues prior to being in combat in Iraq. Needless to say, the deployment ended up being his breaking point and he was diagnosed with c-PTSD. It is so debilitating, not only to the quality of life for the sufferer, but to the ones who love the sufferer. Unless you have had first hand experience with c-PTSD, people really DO not have a clue what it really entails. They have the luxury of hearing about it or reading about it from a comfortable distance so such suppositions can be made; they would be making different comments if they had to be in the midst of the nightmare PTSD really is.
I do, however, believe that finding treatment for PTSD is unique and must be tailored because everyone internalizes trauma differently. The sufferer is unique; thus, the treatment must include a mixture of methods to best suit the sufferer’s needs. I went two three different doctors and two different psychologists looking for answers, to absolutely NO avail. When my husband got so tired and desperate from his symptomatic afflictions that he pulled out a shotgun and threatened to kill both of us, I knew I had to be more aggressive with finding the help that he needed. Oddly enough, guess where I found it? The Internet. I found a diet specifically for PTSD sufferers. It is very heavy in meat, eggs, yogurt, avocadoes (and other foods with animal-like protein), cheese, walnuts, pecans, and almonds. Furthermore, gluten is terrible! So, gluten should be avoided at all costs. I know it sounds difficult, but it really isn’t once you stay committed, learn your options, and make it so routine that it is second nature. Appropriate diets literally change lives.
Then, we ended up having him take GABAtrol supplement and a medication Propranalol. We also found a counselor with extensive experience in trauma that he started talking to daily. Finally, he exercises daily and attends yoga (for relaxation, breathing techniques, and meditation) multiple times a week. This literally worked wonders!!! To be honest, I became cautious and wary of whether or not the change was true because the magnitude of it was so large that I couldn’t believe it. I thought the living hell we had experienced for over two years was going to be a sentence to eternal misery or grounds for a divorce.
My conclusion to all of this is do not put too much emphasis on trying to make others understand you. C-PTSD affects less than two percent of the population; understanding, let alone EXPOSURE to it is quite impropable (unless you are dealing with the VA or a focused support group, etc). Focus on YOU understanding that you are in a sacrificial place. You are sacrificing your sleep and mind and immune system, etc. So, you helping yourself in a timely manner is crucial. When you served this country, you sacrificed yourself in the highest regard by putting your life on the line. You are indeed a hero, but heroes need help sometimes too. There are emotional, mental, spiritual (I didn’t say religious), physical, and nutritional resources to combat and address your PTSD.
Hope some of the information helps and gives you a starting point. Best wishes,
Marine Durable
Iraq Rose
I am an acupuncturist and RN who hit the wall 21 years ago. PTSD is a spiritual journey, rude awakening yes, impairs all functionaing yes, panic attacks and such can occur years later…but PTSD, if that is you, can heal very well over time. I’m sure eveyone is a bit different. I made it back and am living proof, very healthy now. I am available as a resource for support, and a speaker. See http://www.iraqrose.org. I am well now. No drugs.
We offer military and vets holistic acupuncture in Santa Monica for a $5 suggested donation at Emperors College. See our website for details.