Posted on 08/30/2005 9:51:20 AM PDT by TMSuchman
I was reading my Mi. Marine News yesterday, and came across this article. So I have decided to post some of the information from it. Symptomalgy of PTSD
A] The indivdual has been exposed to a traumatic event[s] where they experianced, witnessed, or was confronted with an event[s] where actual or threat of death[s], or serious injury[ies], to self or others. The inddividual experianced intense fear, helplessness,or horror. B] The traumitic event[s] is re-experianced in the following ways: 1] Recurrent and intrusive distressing recollections of the event[s] including images, thoughts & or perceptions. 2] Recurrent distressing dreams & or night terrors of the event[s] 3] Acting or feeling as if the traumatic event[s] was reoccuring, such as reliving the experiance[s] or flashbacks. 4] Persistent avoidance of things associated with the trauma[s]: a] Efforts to avoid thoughts, feelings, or conversations associated with the trauma[s] b] Efforts to avoid activities, places, or people that leads to recollection[s] of the trauma[s] c] Inabality to recall imporant aspects of the trauma[s] d] Diminished interest or participation if activities e] Feelings of detachment or estrangement from others f] Restricted range of emotions [RARELY HAPPY] g] A sense of a foreshortened future C] Addiational symptoms that occure during onset 1] Diffculty falling asleep 2] Irritability, explosiveness, or acts of violence 3] Hyperviglance 4] Exaggerated starlted responses
Other symptoms are masked through drug & alcohol useage in an appempt to cope or self medicate. But in the long run, this will create additonal problems for the veteran & or their family. It is imporant that the returning veteran[s] get help as soon as possible. The frequancy and intensity of symptoms can be greatly reduced with the proper treatment.
Robert M.[Mike] Suchman Sgt USMC[Ret]
I'm with you 100%. Specifics would be good, like where, when and how. Average Joe isn't available/accessible to returning GI Joe. Are you aware of any efforts underway that Average Joe could contribute assistance? Anything you can find would really be appreciated. Thanks!
I ditto Freema's post. How can we help?
I ditto Freema's post. How can we help?
First of all thank you for reading and wanting to do something for the folks returning home.
Now we need to there to lend a hand to these vetereans returning home and very gently guide them to seek professional help. There are a lot of groups out there that can provide the help that is needed.
2] These folks may tend to burn the candle at both ends at the same time. We need to be there to prevent them from doing something very stupid and harming themselves & or others. If they are under the infulance of drink or drugs that is a BIG time red flag. Get them to the nearest VA hosiptal ASAP, or call the nearest professional [Police, EMS, ect..] if the vet seems to be on the verge of harming themself or others. These people may be a walking, talking timebomb! We need to be there and lend a hand when they need us the most. Even if they don't think so.
I agree. At the end of WWII, my grandfather and his crew were given mandatory psych evals before being discharged. All but 1 guy failed (surprised 1 guy passed.) He had to spend some extra time at a base stateside, but he always said it helped (and not one of his crew had PTSD).
I think it's extra important now, when the turnaround from battlefield to "normal" life is so quick. At least with the weeks it used to take on ships, veterans could have some time to readjust to the idea of "normal" life.
Thanks for pointing that out.
When I was being discharged in 1971, they only did a regular physical exam. The doctor noted my hearing loss. He told me that I could qualify for VA disability comp for that. When I expressed an interest, he chimed in that 'of course you would have to stay on active duty until we convene a medical board..." He said that could take weeks or months. Being 20 years old, I said 'no way' was I going to stick around for that.
I hear(well sort of), that not much has changed.
BTTT
BTTT
Follow my train of thought with regard to Average Joe:
(I thought Stashiu's point #4 was remarkable in it's connection to PTSD.) There was a church in J'ville NC that opened it's doors to families of deployed as a meeting place for support-don't know if that is still ongoing, perhaps not-I can't seem to find any information about the program. I've seen the marvelous "Welcome Home" banners on the fences in J'ville. But I haven't seen or heard of organized (community or otherwise) efforts to rally around or support those who return (Not to say they don't exist, perhaps they do). It appears to be left to the spouse, or not dealt with at all, unless one needs to be referred to a military psychiatrist. I could be wrong, I don't know. I guess I'm looking for a civilian response to this issue, be it in a military town or not. I'm thinking 'outloud' here. What does America do for it's returning veterans to assist in assimilation back to "AMERICA" following their return from the visage of war? Is there a program or organization somewhere, a shoulder to lean on, a shoulder to cry on, a place they can take what they've seen and done out of their hearts and minds and put it on the table...or do we just show up at Veteran's Day ceremonies, Memorial Day ceremonies, wave at them in a parade, or buy them a beer at the VFW? If that, in reality, is all we do, I want to change that : )
And, I must say I find it utterly obnoxious that we must spend so much energy on the likes of Cindy Sheehan, to keep them from more pain, rather than focusing that energy on what are likely more critical needs for our troops.
http://www.ecusa-chaplain.org/Feedback_from_the_field.html
From Chaplain Dan Leatherman, Landstuhl, Germany, 06 July 2005
Greetings from Landstuhl Regional Medical Center! The Army has tried to take care of this Air Guard Chaplain and with the 4th of July Holiday, its taken until today to get it straight. Anyway, Im pretty well settled in with the hospital routine, if there really is one. The Med-Evac flights and ambulance busses come in at all hours, but on a regular basis. The soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen come in all states of health: some very banged up and critical others ambulatory. Often they arrive with battle related injuries, but other times simply the woes of life, like gall bladder surgery, kidney stones, an infection or something other than the war. Many times the wounds go deeper than skin and bone. The psychological issues our troops have to deal with are immense and the level of compassion given by the staff here at the hospital is incredible and exhausting. There is much compassion fatigue among us all and chaplains are as important to the staff and each other as they are to the patients.
Thank you again for your prayers and support.
Dan+
Daniel L. Leatherman, Ch, Capt, USAF (ANG)
Notes on the run too, Chaplain Will Hood, 03 February 2005
One of the things I have begun to realize how much in a hurry I have lived back in the world. Always in a hurry and probably have thought I have been a little too important to wait in line or be inconvenienced. Out here the only thing I really need to be in a rush about is ducking for cover if a rocket or mortar attack happens. It amazes me some days that events that I think should take a short amount of time end of taking about three times as long. I am having to learn patience and to be a bit more in the present moment.
One of those teaching events happened today. I was standing in line at our exchange, or PX as it is called by some, waiting. The lines are long sometime so you just learn to live with it. As I was standing there a young Soldier stood next to me. I turned around and we acknowledge each others presence. As we exchanged hellos I noticed he had the stare. It was the stare of someone who was elsewhere; a stare that seemed full of pained. By his patches I knew he was not from our base and asked him why he was here. "Well sir, I was on patrol and we were hit by an IED, Improvised Explosive Device. I am passing through as I fly back to my unit." "Are you o.k.?" I asked. "Yeah sir, but my Sergeant was killed." He started to tear up.
Sometimes in those moments there are no words. At that moment I placed my hand on his shoulder and began to pray. Probably less as a Chaplain and more as one who has faith and hopes that in the midst of this crazy mess we call life Christ is with us and remind us that this is not the end of the story. I prayed that Christ would be with him in his grief and sorrow. Not to take it away but remind him he is not alone. Often the price of love, friendship and the bond of warriors is a broken heart. Right there in the exchange in the busyness and boredom of waiting in line Christ called us both to show up and share our hearts and look grief and sorrow in the face.
I hope that when I get back to the world I won't be in such a hurry that I miss the present moment to share the hope and love of Christ. I hope that I will take the opportunity to slow down and remember that I am not so important to wait in line and that perhaps that is the very place God's mercy will unfold.
Today my heart is a bit heavier with the sorrow for that Soldier, but it is also grateful for the moment to remember that we don't carry this stuff by ourselves. If someday I am in the line at the grocery store and you see me with that thousand yard stare I hope you'll stop and whisper a short prayer.
Prayerfully
Will Hood
Bump
Our Veterans Hospitals are the best in the world,and are an Instatution to be proud of.
Get the GI there and they are on their way.
A 1/26 Marine Vn.Vet 1968-1969.
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