Vets With PTSD
Susan Barrera
Sometimes things happen in our lives that make us feel helpless and hopeless. Chronic illness or psychiatric problems for instance, or PTSD…but we do have choices.
We can choose to stay stuck where we are, blaming all our problems on circumstance and others, or we can fight. I know you men and women are fighters. That’s how you got to be where you are. You have exhibited courage and strength to be able to survive what you have until today…so many others didn’t survive. But you can do more than just survive and exist; you can thrive. It just takes a decision to make every day that you are alive, count for something. Then you start fighting again. Each day...you fight the symptoms of your disorder, and you fight to have quality of life. I’m betting you have the courage and strength to do it. It’s just a matter of choice.
In the thirty-two years since my husband came home from Vietnam we have learned a few things about how to live with this severe disorder. My husband had most of the symptoms of PTSD: isolation, depression, rage, flashbacks, nightmares, irritability, explosive aggressive behavior, hostility, emotional numbness, suicidal thoughts, need for control, self-destructive behavior, inability to function in social and family life, paranoia and intrusive thoughts. His traumas were so bad, that he believes the two years he spent in the VA hospital on his return kept him from killing himself or someone else.
My husband, Adam has done a lot of things right when it comes to dealing with his PTSD. He knew on his release from the hospital that he was dealing with enough problems already and that self-medicating with drugs or alcohol would just add more.
The following are some of the other things that have helped him cope with his PTSD symptoms: Many years into his PTSD, he decided to engage in a sport which had always held appeal for him. He started to train at boxing, which allowed him to channel all that excess adrenaline into getting in shape, hitting the bag, and in the ring against other trained boxers. This had several benefits for him and for the family. It caused him to focus his attention onto boxing technique, skill and history, which helped distract him from the intrusive thoughts. The training involved got him running by the river; it was good for him to get out in the fresh air and sunshine, which helped his depression. The exercise eventually got him fit and lean and muscular and helped him to sleep better and was good for his overall health. The release of adrenaline also helped his mood and he became a lot easier to live with.
He also got involved with some hobbies which held interest for him. Those activities which are engrossing are best. Anything which you have to think about, plan for, learn about, develop skill at, practice or collect are good choices. Again, the object is to distract from the intrusive thoughts and flashbacks.
To be continued...
Questions or comments?
