There can be many feelings and thoughts that can prevent you if you let them, yet you can make the first decision to reach out, step out and find help, though this may be difficult to do. Your courage and determination will led to help yourself, those involved and the Veteran.
From Healing Suicidal Veterans Victor Montgomery III, MAEd., CMAC, RAS:
There can be many feelings and thoughts that can prevent you if you let them, yet you can make the first decision to reach out, step out and find help, though this may be difficult to do. Your courage and determination will led to help yourself, those involved and the Veteran.
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PTSD AWARENESS:
PTSD symptoms are usually more severe or long lasting when the stressor is caused by a human(s) (e.g., torture, rape etc.). The likelihood of developing PTSD usually increases as the intensity & physical proximity to the stressor increase.
accident war and disaster unexpectedly witnessing a dead body or body parts other traumatic witnessed events Events experienced by others & learned about include: violent personal assault serious accident serious injury experienced by a family member/close friend learning about the sudden death of a family member/close friend learning one’s child has a life-threatening disease other learned traumatic events Just because someone experiences a traumatic event does not mean they have PTSD. No matter how long it’s been since your trauma, treatment can help. To know whether you have PTSD, you should get an assessment from a clinician. Sexual assault is more likely to result in symptoms of PTSD than are other types of trauma, including combat. Social support is one of the greatest protective factors against developing PTSD after trauma. Research suggests that social support is an even more important resilience factor for women than men. Trouble sleeping is a core feature of PTSD, so it is important to address sleep problems in PTSD treatment. Getting help for PTSD early can prevent problems from expanding to other parts of your life. Evidence-based treatments for PTSD include psychotherapy (or “counseling”) and medications. Many people with PTSD also experience chronic pain or other physical health symptoms. PTSD often co-occurs with depression or other mental health symptoms. VA Can Help with the Answers to These Questions Having PTSD does not mean you’re “crazy.” PTSD does not cause someone to be violent. If you have PTSD, you are not alone. With treatment, you can get better. In the general population, women are twice as likely as men to experience PTSD at some point in their lifetime. Recent research shows that men and women who served in Iraq (OIF) or Afghanistan (OEF) have similar rates of PTSD. Many people recover completely from PTSD with treatment. If someone in your family has PTSD, family therapy can help you learn to communicate and cope together. People who have PTSD also have a higher risk for substance use disorders. PTSD treatment has been shown to decrease suicidal ideation. Treatment is important for the person experiencing PTSD, but it also helps the family and improves relationships. PTSD therapists help you understand your thoughts and feelings so you have more control over them. Research suggests that variations in a number of genes may be risk factors for developing PTSD after trauma. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and PTSD have some common symptoms, but they are different diagnoses. Technology, like the PTSD Coach mobile app, can help you manage PTSD symptoms. VA provides PTSD care at every VA medical center and at many of the larger community-based clinics. Getting help for PTSD is problem solving, not a sign of weakness. Take the step. - See more at: http://www.va.gov/health/NewsFeatures/2013/June/27-Things-You-Should-Know-about-PTSD.asp#sthash.0lFWM56D.dpuf PTSD Information
PTSD symptoms are usually more severe or long lasting when the stressor is caused by a human(s) (e.g., torture, rape etc.). The likelihood of developing PTSD usually increases as the intensity & physical proximity to the stressor increase. Sometimes a crisis may involve thoughts of suicide. Learn to recognize these warning signs:
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http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B0046SKBQK Point 1 – Continuing the “Fight”
As Veterans, espiecially if they have seen combat, is that they have walked through their own “Valleys of death” in some way. Now that they are here home again, I want you to encourage this clear message to Veterans: for them to continue the “fight” to live beyond all they have experienced or seen. They have been, like me, called “survivors”, yet I want to them to choose to live this life fuller and deeper. Like me, they have arrived home and my prayer is that their progression and goal is resolve, as with myself, let what was given to me in Vietnam be forgotten nor wasted by my lack of effort or decisions. It was my new starting place, another opportunity I had to begin again to live this life. One I never want to waste away. The transition home can be a difficult one and I am so saddened when I hear that a returned veteran has taken their life! It is reported that over 25 soldiers a day committ suicide. The only words I had for one soldier I met and greeted home lately was “You made it home; now please choose to make it through this!” Most have had different experiences, types of shock, distress, and reactions and are looking for help or suggestions on how to begin or continue their walk towards wholeness. Bible scriptures you can have Veterans read: Psalm 23; Psalm 91 (the soldier's prayer); Ephesians 6: 10 -18 Point 2 – Admittance I believe that anyone can never begin the “healing process until they see and share where we are. Like “AA”, it is the point where I would say: “Hi, I am Gary Tate and I am a disabled Vietnam Veteran with PTSD symptoms”. Then begin to understand and take correction steps I need to take. These are familiar experiences among Vietnam veterans, like me, that have had some similar reactions and feelings that are called P.T.S.D. (post-traumatic stress disorder). Through my studies in this subject matter I have realized that in the last place of our stress and trauma we were “frozen”, trapped in that moment and we cannot grow or mature beyond it. Point 3 - Mom's I remembered thinking, of the promise I had made my mother a few months previously that I would return home from Vietnam, I believe now that I would not have, without that. Though we each have our own walk in this life we all experience similar situations, feelings and thoughts that we must deal with as I have shared on. And I have found hope! My hope is in the Lord, Who helps my soul find and have rest. Was it that easy - far from it! That can be because the answers we seek are difficult at times to find, however we ask questions or seek help. After I had walked through the virtual “valley of death” in Vietnam, after having being severely wounded, kneeling on foreign soil and bleeding severely I took the first step towards a new life. Common Emotional, Vietnam and Current Veteran Responses with Statistics – Common Emotional Responses Anxiety Nightmares Tension, Trails or Tribulations Torment Characteristics in Vietnam era veterans and our current Veterans INTRUSIVE THOUGHTS AND FLASHBACKS: ISOLATION: ANGER: EMOTIONAL NUMBING: EMOTIONAL CONSTRICTION: ANXIETY OR NERVOUSNESS DEPRESSION: GUILT-SUICIDAL FEELINGS AND THOUGHTS: Survivor's Guilt SUBSTANCE ABUSE: 10 Ways to Recognize Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (1) Re-experiencing traumatic events through vivid memories or flash backs. (2) Feeling “emotionally numb. Feeling overwhelmed by what would normally be considered everyday situations and feeling diminished interest in performing normal tasks or pursuing your usual interests. (4) Crying uncontrollably. This was one of my most common fears for a long time. (5) Isolating oneself from family and friends and avoiding social situations. (6) Relying increasingly on alcohol or drugs to get through the day. (7) Feeling extremely moody, irritable, angry, suspicious or frightened. (8) Having difficulty falling or staying asleep, sleeping too much and experiencing nightmares. (9) Feeling guilty about surviving the event or being unable to solve the problem, and harbouring guilt over not being able to change the event or prevent the disaster. Having made it through the night time battle I often asked myself, “Why did I survive?” (10) Feeling fears and a sense of doom about the future. I am preparing my sharing with a group at my local church of Veterans. I wanted your comments on areas I should address. Pastor Stacy wants me to share my testimony and book (Angel of Death/Angel of Light: A Changed Life After Vietnam). Here are some notes I made:
Point 1 – Continuing our “Fight” As Veterans, we have walked through our own “Valleys of death” in some way. Now that we are here home again, I want to encourage every veteran to continue the “fight” to live beyond all they have experienced or seen. We can at times be called “survivors”, yet I want to live this life fuller and deeper than I had, and now I want to share my “Dedication” page. This highlights the choice to continue living towards a fuller life. My progression and my goal is not to let what was given to me in Vietnam be forgotten nor wasted by my lack of effort or decisions. It was my new starting place, another opportunity I had to begin again to live this life. One I never want to waste away. Point 2 – Admittance I believe we can never begin the “healing process until we see where and who we are. Like “AA”, it is the point where I would say: “Hi, I am Gary Tate and I am a disabled Vietnam Veteran with PTSD symptoms”. Then begin to understand and take correction steps I need to take. Feel free to contact me on your thoughts or suggestions. R.W. Schambach
When he was interviewed on TV by Phil Donahue he was asked, ‘What makes you able to heal?’” a Facebook fan named Janet Tourville Dabbs wrote on his Facebook page. “Schambach replied, ‘If you would get saved and filled with the Holy Ghost you too could heal people. You could lay hands on the sick and they would recover.’John 14:12 New International Version (NIV) Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. The whoever and they are not just a minister it is us the beleiver! Walking with the Holy Spirit: Study, Workbook and Reference:
Chapter 1 – Who is the Holy Spirit? In Part one of the Study on the Holy Spirit I taped for Live Stream, I said while playing Kari Jobe’s CD called “Majestic’ I mentioned this: we His Church, sons and daughters. I also spoke that it was important what Jesus said, “not My will but your will be done”, in the garden. Then we remember He further said, “if there be any other way”. May we always bow our knee to His will and not allow our emotions to control us. I explained that I was working on the title of this book and I had attended Bible College and had books to read and some workbooks that you were to fill out. So I thought I would combine this book as an study and workbook to give those the opportunity to place their response to the question or remark stated. I start out with Genesis as many times we can perceive, the word I use, Who the Holy Spirit is. And what He does, He is the third person of the Trinity And while having been raised Roman Catholic I was taught about the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the Triune God and that part of this I had down, I understood, believed and received what I call my perception. However, that was really all I knew and so this topic. And when you go to the first book of the Old Testament, Genesis, you will notice that the Holy Spirit was there and so I will put before my first question: Who is the Holy Spirit to you? Below insert your response to this question: _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ |
AuthorI am a Christian father of four grown adults, I have seen God’s grace and mercy in my life. I attend church regularly with my family. I am happily married for 42 years this year (2013), to my wife, Anne. Archives
June 2016
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