Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Be un-intimidated by PTSD
Be un-intimidated by PTSD
by
Chaplain Kathie
There has been an approach by the military to train servicemen and women to become "resilient." When you look at the meaning of the word, this was an easy leap for them to make considering the prevalence of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, but when you understand the basis of making this choice of wording, it's part of the problem.
Resilient
Main Entry: re·sil·ient
Pronunciation: \-yənt\
Function: adjective
Etymology: Latin resilient-, resiliens, present participle of resilire to jump back, recoil, from re- + salire to leap — more at sally
Date: 1674
: characterized or marked by resilience: as a : capable of withstanding shock without permanent deformation or rupture b : tending to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change
In other words, "get over it" and this is one of the biggest reasons the rates have increased of suicides and attempted suicides. When you consider the fact these people are far from your average citizen, brave enough to face anything they are sent to do, courageous enough to not only carry out their orders, but then "stuff" whatever they face while others are in danger. Usually they will not allow themselves to feel any kind of distress until their company is out of danger. More often than not, they will not show any symptoms until long after they have returned home. Between the emotional/psychological assault and the time it is truly felt, it can take many months or years, depending on the severity, to begin to take over their lives and begin to destroy their futures. Keep in mind that PTSD gets worse as time goes by and just living lives with all the pressures, trails and problems, adds to the stress they are under.
They are already resilient each time they stand up and walk away from being shot at. Every time they watch a friend die or attend a Memorial service, they are resilient because they return to duty, doing whatever is asked of them. When they are already dealing with sleep deprivation robbing them of rest, they also face nightmares when they do manage to fall asleep. Yet no matter what they have going on inside of them, they get up and carry on doing what they need to do until they are sent back home, duty done, danger over, mission accomplished.
Their bravery should never have been questioned.
The military up until recent years, has been punishing men and women for having been affected by the traumatic events in combat. This has been going on in this country since the beginning and we have evidence of this from Civil War records.
The Irritable Heart
Increased Risk of Physical and Psychological Effects of Trauma in Civil War Vets
From K. Kris HirstA total of 43 percent of the men had mental health problems throughout their lives, some of which are today recognized as related to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).To quantify trauma experienced by Civil War soldiers, researchers used a variable derived from percent of company lost to represent relative exposure to trauma. Researchers found that in military companies with a larger percentage of soldiers killed, the veterans were 51 percent more likely to have cardiac, gastrointestinal and nervous disease.The Youngest Soldiers were Hardest Hit
The study found that the youngest soldiers (ages 9-17 at enlistment) were 93% more likely than the oldest (ages 31 or older) to experience both mental and physical disease. The younger soldiers were also more likely to show signs of cardiovascular disease alone and in conjunction with gastrointestinal conditions, and were more likely to die early. Former POWs had an increased risk of combined mental and physical problems as well as early death.
One problem the researchers grappled with was comparing diseases as they were recorded during the latter half of the 19th century to today's recognized diseases. Post-traumatic stress syndrome was not recognized by doctors--although they did recognize that veterans exhibited an extreme level of 'nervous disease' that they labeled 'irritable heart' syndrome.
As you can see, when we talk about PTSD today, it was, as it is now, afflicting the warriors. They just didn't know exactly what it was but they were very close considering the term they used to explain it "irritable heart syndrome."
It is a human wounding set off by "normal" people facing "abnormal" events in their lives. Some walk away stunned but recover without it afflicting the emotional part of their mind to the point where it lingers and takes over. Others however face it becoming a part of them and taking over the way they feel, think and relate to others.
We should really stop using the term "resilient" since it has been such an issue with how that word is heard by the ears of people trained to listen very carefully to others words used during training them how to use weapons and face death. To them it means that they are supposed to train their brains to prevent PTSD. If they end up with PTSD, they then blame themselves for not training properly. Yes, this is a real problem and while soldiers feel this way, it is the Marines bothered by this the most.
They end up intimidated because they feel. Feeling grief and loss are not bad things any more than feeling love, joy, passion and compassion are, yet when they end up with all that comes with PTSD, they must overcome admitting they need help because they link needing help to being weak. They never allow themselves to contemplate one simple fact. They carried out their mission, did their duty, watched the backs of their brothers and faced the enemy with all they had even though they were dealing with pain engrained in their soul. The stigma they carry is based on false assumptions simply because they are not looking at the totality of their deployment.
So let the term change in addressing healing these men and women. Stop using "resilient" because it is doing more harm than good. Use the term "un-intimidate" since it reflects what is already a part of them, the ability to carry on without being intimidated by what they faced. No matter how strong the enemy was, they faced them. No matter what was happening, they did what they needed to do. No matter how many physical challenges they endured, they carried on un-intimidated by constant hardships.
Intimidate
Main Entry: in·tim·i·date
Pronunciation: \in-ˈti-mə-ˌdāt\
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form(s): in·tim·i·dat·ed; in·tim·i·dat·ing
Etymology: Medieval Latin intimidatus, past participle of intimidare, from Latin in- + timidus timid
Date: 1646
: to make timid or fearful : frighten; especially : to compel or deter by or as if by threats
Being un-intimidated was there when they decided they would risk their lives to serve in the military in the first place.
Now they have a need to recover from it. The human enemy did not intimidate them and this enemy caused by combat traumas should not intimidate them but they have not been provided with the knowledge of what PTSD actually is, what it does any more than they know why they ended up with it but their buddies didn't. They don't understand it came with their ability to feel more deeply than others, with a level of compassion beyond what others are able to feel, thus creating a condition where they are also able to feel emotional pain more deeply. Once provided with this knowledge, they then understand they can heal after having PTSD no longer intimidates them.
When they are more afraid to live than die and attempt suicide, this is caused by the intimidation of fearing they are doomed to being under this assault for the rest of their lives, we need to change how we address them. When they are more willing to be thought of as a "drunk" or drug addict than they are willing to be treated for PTSD, then we should learn how to talk to them so they fully understand what it is and give them the tools/weapons to fight it off. They can defeat this enemy within them and be as un-intimidated to heal as they were to face the human enemy they were sent to defeat.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Families worry about graves at Arlington
Families worry about graves at Arlington
By Aamer Madhani and Tom Vanden Brook - USA Today
Posted : Monday Jun 14, 2010 12:56:44 EDT
ARLINGTON, Va. — After the Army announced that Arlington National Cemetery mishandled the remains of more than 200 troops, Margaret Timmons decided to trek out to her husband's headstone on Sunday to make sure he was still where she laid him to rest 34 years ago.
The plot of her husband, Navy Senior Petty Officer Jerome Timmons, is near the corner of Bradley and MacArthur drives in Section 66, one of the cemetery areas where the Army says it uncovered several cases of misidentified or improperly buried remains.
With a bouquet of red carnations and her youngest daughter by her side, Timmons felt a bit more at peace after visiting her husband's grave, which appeared to be in good shape. But Timmons, 75, of New Carrolton, Md., said she's disturbed about the situation.
"I am really shocked. This is the most prestigious cemetery in the world," said Timmons, whose husband served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. "I just can't believe they let this happen."
go here for more
Families worry about graves at Arlington
By Aamer Madhani and Tom Vanden Brook - USA Today
Posted : Monday Jun 14, 2010 12:56:44 EDT
ARLINGTON, Va. — After the Army announced that Arlington National Cemetery mishandled the remains of more than 200 troops, Margaret Timmons decided to trek out to her husband's headstone on Sunday to make sure he was still where she laid him to rest 34 years ago.
The plot of her husband, Navy Senior Petty Officer Jerome Timmons, is near the corner of Bradley and MacArthur drives in Section 66, one of the cemetery areas where the Army says it uncovered several cases of misidentified or improperly buried remains.
With a bouquet of red carnations and her youngest daughter by her side, Timmons felt a bit more at peace after visiting her husband's grave, which appeared to be in good shape. But Timmons, 75, of New Carrolton, Md., said she's disturbed about the situation.
"I am really shocked. This is the most prestigious cemetery in the world," said Timmons, whose husband served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. "I just can't believe they let this happen."
go here for more
Families worry about graves at Arlington
Report: 90% of youth in Philly cannot serve
Report: 90% of youth in Philly cannot serve
The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Jun 15, 2010 11:49:03 EDT
PHILADELPHIA — A nonprofit group says that up to 90 percent of young Philadelphians are ineligible for military service because of criminal records, obesity or lack of education.
Pennsylvania-based Mission: Readiness released its report Monday. It says 1 million Pennsylvanians are ineligible for the same reasons.
Mission: Readiness is made up of more than 150 retired generals and admirals. The group wants state and federal funding for pre-kindergarten programs that it says give children a solid foundation for academic and personal success.
The report says 145,000 Philadelphians ages 18 to 24 cannot meet the military’s medical, moral and mental standards.
Nationally, the Defense Department estimates that 75 percent of young adults are disqualified from military service.
Report: 90% of youth in Philly cannot serve
The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Jun 15, 2010 11:49:03 EDT
PHILADELPHIA — A nonprofit group says that up to 90 percent of young Philadelphians are ineligible for military service because of criminal records, obesity or lack of education.
Pennsylvania-based Mission: Readiness released its report Monday. It says 1 million Pennsylvanians are ineligible for the same reasons.
Mission: Readiness is made up of more than 150 retired generals and admirals. The group wants state and federal funding for pre-kindergarten programs that it says give children a solid foundation for academic and personal success.
The report says 145,000 Philadelphians ages 18 to 24 cannot meet the military’s medical, moral and mental standards.
Nationally, the Defense Department estimates that 75 percent of young adults are disqualified from military service.
Report: 90% of youth in Philly cannot serve
Man who tried entering MacDill is AWOL
Man who tried entering MacDill is AWOL
By Mitch Stacy - The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Jun 15, 2010 14:46:19 EDT
TAMPA, Fla. — A man arrested as he tried to enter MacDill Air Force Base with weapons and ammunition in his car is a serviceman listed as being absent without leave, base officials said Tuesday.
Air Force Col. Dave Cohen released few new details about Monday night's arrest at the base that houses the U.S. command center for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
But Cohen said it doesn't appear to have been a terrorism attempt. He did not release the serviceman's name, his military branch or the name of the woman who was with him. Both are in their mid-20s, Cohen said. The woman is not connected to the military.
read more here
Man who tried entering MacDill is AWOL
By Mitch Stacy - The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Jun 15, 2010 14:46:19 EDT
TAMPA, Fla. — A man arrested as he tried to enter MacDill Air Force Base with weapons and ammunition in his car is a serviceman listed as being absent without leave, base officials said Tuesday.
Air Force Col. Dave Cohen released few new details about Monday night's arrest at the base that houses the U.S. command center for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
But Cohen said it doesn't appear to have been a terrorism attempt. He did not release the serviceman's name, his military branch or the name of the woman who was with him. Both are in their mid-20s, Cohen said. The woman is not connected to the military.
read more here
Man who tried entering MacDill is AWOL
It's official; DD-214s are NOW Online
It's official; DD-214s are NOW Online. The National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) has provided the following website for veterans to gain access to their DD-214s online: http://www.archives.gov/veterans/evetrecs/index.html
This may be particularly helpful when a veteran needs a copy of his DD-214 for employment purposes. NPRC is working to make it easier for veterans with computers and Internet access to obtain copies of documents from their military files.
Military veterans and the next of kin of deceased former military members may now use a new online military personnel records system to request documents. Other individuals with a need for documents must still complete the Standard Form 180, which can be downloaded from the online web site.
Because the requester will be asked to supply all information essential for NPRC to process the request, delays that normally occur when NPRC has to ask veterans for additional information will be minimized. The new web-based application was designed to provide better service on these requests by eliminating the records centers mailroom and processing time. Please pass this information on to former military personnel you may know and their dependents.
This may be particularly helpful when a veteran needs a copy of his DD-214 for employment purposes. NPRC is working to make it easier for veterans with computers and Internet access to obtain copies of documents from their military files.
Military veterans and the next of kin of deceased former military members may now use a new online military personnel records system to request documents. Other individuals with a need for documents must still complete the Standard Form 180, which can be downloaded from the online web site.
Because the requester will be asked to supply all information essential for NPRC to process the request, delays that normally occur when NPRC has to ask veterans for additional information will be minimized. The new web-based application was designed to provide better service on these requests by eliminating the records centers mailroom and processing time. Please pass this information on to former military personnel you may know and their dependents.
Lawyer would have opposed his killer's execution
Lawyer would have opposed his killer's execution
Salt Lake City, Utah (News Today) - By all accounts, Michael Burdell was a gentle soul with a soft spot for people in need. A Vietnam veteran, he was issued a weapon but refused to carry it, serving as a technician on communications equipment, his fiancée, Donna Nu, said in court documents. The two had known each other for six years. Had Burdell, a 36-year-old attorney, not died on April 2, 1985, shot to death by Ronnie Lee Gardner during Gardner's escape attempt at a Salt Lake City courthouse, they would have been married.But Nu, along with Burdell's friend, Ron Temu, and his 86-year-old father, Joseph Burdell, are now arguing on Gardner's behalf.
Gardner is to face a Utah firing squad on June 18. But driven by Burdell's pacifism and opposition to the death penalty, the three have filed statements in the case seeking to have his sentence commuted.
click link for the rest
Lawyer would have opposed his killers execution family says
Salt Lake City, Utah (News Today) - By all accounts, Michael Burdell was a gentle soul with a soft spot for people in need. A Vietnam veteran, he was issued a weapon but refused to carry it, serving as a technician on communications equipment, his fiancée, Donna Nu, said in court documents. The two had known each other for six years. Had Burdell, a 36-year-old attorney, not died on April 2, 1985, shot to death by Ronnie Lee Gardner during Gardner's escape attempt at a Salt Lake City courthouse, they would have been married.But Nu, along with Burdell's friend, Ron Temu, and his 86-year-old father, Joseph Burdell, are now arguing on Gardner's behalf.
Gardner is to face a Utah firing squad on June 18. But driven by Burdell's pacifism and opposition to the death penalty, the three have filed statements in the case seeking to have his sentence commuted.
click link for the rest
Lawyer would have opposed his killers execution family says
Search restores lost dog tags to family of vet
Search restores lost dog tags to family of vet
By Malinda Reinke - The Dominion Post via AP
Posted : Monday Jun 14, 2010 16:01:09 EDT
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Rob Boyce lifted the top off the secondhand board game he’d just paid $2 for at Goodwill in the Mountaineer Mall.
Little Jason wanted it.
In fact, as the Boyce family strolled past the store on their way to Walmart that early spring day in 2008, the toddler saw the toys all stacked up and irresistible in the Goodwill window and took off toward the store.
Of course, the family followed.
“There was this board game I wish I could remember the name of it but I mean, it didn’t even have all its pieces,” Boyce, 28, said one morning just before Memorial Day, as he began to tell the saga of Leland Harless’ dog tags.
read more here
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2010/06/ap_wwii_lost_dog_tags_061410/
Really great story!
By Malinda Reinke - The Dominion Post via AP
Posted : Monday Jun 14, 2010 16:01:09 EDT
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Rob Boyce lifted the top off the secondhand board game he’d just paid $2 for at Goodwill in the Mountaineer Mall.
Little Jason wanted it.
In fact, as the Boyce family strolled past the store on their way to Walmart that early spring day in 2008, the toddler saw the toys all stacked up and irresistible in the Goodwill window and took off toward the store.
Of course, the family followed.
“There was this board game I wish I could remember the name of it but I mean, it didn’t even have all its pieces,” Boyce, 28, said one morning just before Memorial Day, as he began to tell the saga of Leland Harless’ dog tags.
read more here
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2010/06/ap_wwii_lost_dog_tags_061410/
Really great story!
Screening for PTSD in doubt in UK
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder treatment U-turn
By Julian O'Halloran
BBC File on 4
A government plan to provide more help for mentally ill soldiers has been thrown into doubt weeks after it was announced by the Ministry of Defence.
The scheme, unveiled by the MoD in May, was aimed at early diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder and other conditions affecting combat soldiers.
But a defence minister has told the BBC he opposes screening.
Veterans' charities say the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts alone will cause thousands of cases of mental illness.
The Ministry of Defence said last month it was "committed to creating an effective, through-life, mental health scheme for our Service and ex-Service personnel".
Screening debate
It stressed: "A dedicated programme for those leaving the Armed Forces will be established to tackle post-combat mental health issues: a new mental health screening service within the Armed Forces will work to identify problems early on, and for those who need specialist help, we will establish Britain's first dedicated PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) treatment programme within the NHS."
However, Andrew Robathan, Minister for Personnel, Welfare and Veterans, told BBC File on 4: "I think most expert opinion is that you should not screen people for mental health issues because first of all there is no scientifically robust way that you can do that and indeed the downside of suggesting that people have mental health problems when actually they do not have, is actually quite immense and of great concern."
read more here
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8739662.stm
By Julian O'Halloran
BBC File on 4
A government plan to provide more help for mentally ill soldiers has been thrown into doubt weeks after it was announced by the Ministry of Defence.
The scheme, unveiled by the MoD in May, was aimed at early diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder and other conditions affecting combat soldiers.
But a defence minister has told the BBC he opposes screening.
Veterans' charities say the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts alone will cause thousands of cases of mental illness.
The Ministry of Defence said last month it was "committed to creating an effective, through-life, mental health scheme for our Service and ex-Service personnel".
Screening debate
It stressed: "A dedicated programme for those leaving the Armed Forces will be established to tackle post-combat mental health issues: a new mental health screening service within the Armed Forces will work to identify problems early on, and for those who need specialist help, we will establish Britain's first dedicated PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) treatment programme within the NHS."
However, Andrew Robathan, Minister for Personnel, Welfare and Veterans, told BBC File on 4: "I think most expert opinion is that you should not screen people for mental health issues because first of all there is no scientifically robust way that you can do that and indeed the downside of suggesting that people have mental health problems when actually they do not have, is actually quite immense and of great concern."
read more here
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8739662.stm
Labor Department Offers VETS Grants
Labor Department Offers VETS Grants
Week of June 14, 2010
The U.S. Department of Labor's Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) announced a $750,000 grant competition aimed at supporting Department of Labor grantees that provide employment services to homeless veterans and veterans at risk of becoming homeless. National Technical Assistance Center Cooperative Agreements grants will establish partnerships that will, in turn, continue and improve training, technical assistance, research and other support services offered by more than 150 existing grantees that work with homeless and at risk veterans. For more information on this solicitation, call 202-693-4570 or visit grants.gov and the Department of Labor VETS webpage.
Week of June 14, 2010
The U.S. Department of Labor's Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) announced a $750,000 grant competition aimed at supporting Department of Labor grantees that provide employment services to homeless veterans and veterans at risk of becoming homeless. National Technical Assistance Center Cooperative Agreements grants will establish partnerships that will, in turn, continue and improve training, technical assistance, research and other support services offered by more than 150 existing grantees that work with homeless and at risk veterans. For more information on this solicitation, call 202-693-4570 or visit grants.gov and the Department of Labor VETS webpage.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)