Iraq Vet "former" PTSD helps soldiers deal with screamers

Iraq vet, former post-traumatic stress sufferer helps returning soldiers deal with ‘the screamers’
By Amy Guckeen
1/4/2008
Catholic Herald (www.chnonline.org)

MILWAUKEE, Wis. (Catholic Herald) - John Zemler had nightmares. For 23 years, suffering from post traumatic stress disorder, he awoke every night from the “screamers.”


Then one morning in January 2007, he realized, the screamers were gone.

“A lot of my anger and fear, God just took it away from me,” Zemler said. “He gave me my identity back.”

Zemler’s mission is to provide that same gift to other sufferers of PTSD.

As an assistant professor of theology at Marquette University, with his wife Wanda Zemler-Cizewski, an associate professor, Zemler is in a unique position to provide outreach to those with PTSD — as a veteran, theologian, and victim.

“I’m born into this job — theologian and as a veteran with PTSD,” Zemler said. “I’m called to it. You can get through this. A relationship with God will get you through it. It won’t defeat you.”
go here for the rest
http://www.catholic.org/diocese/diocese_story.php?id=26347

I do not like what is happening in the military today as Evangelical chaplains run around more interested in converts than saving minds. I figure if the soldier happens to be an Evangelical Christian, go for it but when it comes to a Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist or so on, it is not up to them to try to get anyone to change their faith. They cross the line.

I put the disclaimer in all the time when I do anything addressing spirituality that I work for a Presbyterian church as Administrator of Christian Education. I don't want anyone to accuse me of being bias. (Not that they could considering I'm Greek Orthodox.) What I've found over the years is that when the psychological is blended with the spiritual, the healing is much greater and deeper. I believe that both factors need to be addressed for the needs of the veterans, especially when you consider most veterans will tell you the same thing. They felt abandoned by God in the traumatic moment. Most of them hang onto that feeling thinking God just judged them. They do this because regular people do not fully understand the Bible or the history in the Bible.

The section called Judges, is filled with war stories. The Hebrew people would go through hand to hand combat and it was very horrific.

Bible Battles from the History Channel
In one of the most hostile lands on the planet, an ancient people called the Israelites forged an army and carved out an empire. Their ancient military exploits are described in one of history's most famous religious texts--the Old Testament of the Bible. But by reading between the religious lines, military historians unlock the soldiers' secrets of the Bible by examining the weapons, strategies, and the commanders, some of whom are not always thought of as warriors, like Abraham, Moses, and Deborah. In this 2-hour special, we explore the biblical world from a military perspective from the time of Abraham until David's ascension to the throne. Blood often flows more freely than holy water in the days of the Old Testament, and the military secrets of the Bible have yet to be revealed...until now!
Rating: TVPG V
Running Time: 120 minutes
Genre:Religion
http://www.history.com/shows.do?episodeId=173387&action=detail

This program takes a look at how wars were won and lost but also looks at those who fought in them. What we now call PTSD was addressed when the warriors would have to stay away from their homes for days to "cleanse" themselves. What this did was provide support for each other as they tried to recover from what they just had to do. This was also to address the spiritual condition.

Ancient Native American Indians carried on a practice of cleansing and still do to this day. Ancient Greek and Roman historians documented their own practices.

The spiritual and psychological have always been linked because face it, we are linked to both as humans.

In a few weeks I'll be addressing a group of pastors training as Chaplains who want to know more about PTSD. I jumped at the chance to do this because of how deeply I believe the members of the clergy are not fulfilling Christ's commission to "cast out demons" by ignoring PTSD. When they treat the veterans spiritual needs they are also treating the families they return home to.

As I said before, my only problem is that they also try to take advantage of hurting souls by having them convert. This should never be done in combat. All should be treated as if they were already a member of the brotherhood of humanity alone.