PTSD – Some Valuable Perspective
Doc Bailey has a post up worth reading:
His last paragraph captures his point as far as us ‘Nam vets so I’ll quote that:
The real tragedy is that because there are so few people that have served, and because the public has largely ignored the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, these men and women are far more isolated. Only Vietnam veterans were as isolated, their isolation more because of scorn than because of their disproportionately small portion of society. They are further isolated by stereotypes that both Hollywood and the News Mediums perpetuate. The idea of the animal in a cage, waiting to loose his rage on the world, is something that will keep far too many Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans from seeking the help they need and so deserve.
Read the whole thing.
Category: Disposable Warriors, Dumbass Bullshit, Geezer Alert!, Real Soldiers
Very moving Doc…..you’ve captured it well. I’m going to share the he’ll out of this.
After the 3rd time I kicked my wife out of bed…literally kicked… while having vivid bad dreams, she suggested I should see the VA. After the 2nd time I hit her when she woke me from a vivid bad dream, I went to the VA.
Set me up with a counselor, saw him for 4 months, he helped me deal with the shit I saw and participated in, I learned how to channel my memories, I no longer have bad dreams most nights…down to a few a month…nor do I awake violently (though my wife learned to simply wiggle my toes, out of reach).
The VA did me good; saved my job, saved my marriage.
Man, that sounds like I went nuts. Everything has been normal with me, except for the bad dreams. I was sometimes too tired to go to work, and it showed in my productions stats.
I don’t drink or do drugs, never have.
…ok, ok, I have a couple beers during a Dodger game, and one shot of Vodka on my birthday. Hey, I’m Polish 🙂
That’s a great post Doc. I recently read a book called “Walking The Point; Male Initiation and The Vietnam Experience” by Daryl S. Paulson. It is a very good book even though it is only about 75 pages long because it cuts to the chase without a lot of fluff. I met Daryl last Veterans Day here in Billings, MT when he was the key note speaker at our annual event. He gave me a box of his books to pass out to the people I work with and meet along the way. I have given several copies away to Vietnam Vets and have had good reviews from them. Though it was written for his generation of veterans I think it applies just as well today. I also think it is a good read for non-veterans as well.
Very nice post. Sharing it on FB.
Never in battle but close enough…..Very well done, Doc Bailey! Hooah!
Beer during a Dodger’s game? When was the last time they actually played ball?
Job well done Doc,good piece. May the Peace that passeth all understanding be with you and your fellow Vets. God bless.
I haven’t talked a lot about it here but I have a bit on my Facebook, currently I am at the inpatient Stress Disorder Clinic at the Topeka VA. I have been doing outpatient treatment for past few years, but recently I lost another job and it was time for a drastic change. I have never had a drug or alcohol problem, but other problems related to PTSD were getting the best of me. The depression, anger, and anxiety were effecting everything. This program is a lot like rebreaking a bone that hasn’t properly healed. It isn’t comfortable it won’t ever be perfect but it is healing better than it did before. I am on week 3 of a 7 week program and I have had some really great progress hopefully I will keep going.
Dave @7, that’s why he breaks his rule and has a couple of beers.
Seriously, great post, Doc. And, if it helps anyone, good on ya for that.
Talking about PTSD is much like debreeding wounds. Its incredibly painful, and unfortunately necessary. the longer you wait to do this, the worse the infection gets. Sometimes, it is necessary, and unbelievably painful to face your pain. Only then can you find Peace and Healing.
I agree with the allusion to debreeding. I’ve recently re-entered the group therapy here where I am after a couple of years away. SSG M should become a Yankees Fan. Then he can go with scotch.
Hahhahaaaa!!
Dodger fan since the 60’s. Beer fan since the 70’s.
It’s like they were made for each other….
There are many that bow to you,
That stress is familar.
It can be conditioned to work FOR you.
To get there,changing the meaning is YOUR DECISSION.
With mutual respect,that is where I am.
A lifetime of solitude,caged,more,did affect me.
It was unacceptable.
So I went to work on the details.
It has everything to do with WHAT YOU WANT IT TO MEAN,like a stallion,bucking,hang on, make a friend of stress,re train it ,control it,tuck it away.let it go………..