Apr

9

What I Know Now About PTSD

Filed Under Treating PTSD 

jan-green-river1I thought some of you following our blog might like to read the few things I have learned in almost forty years of living with someone who has PTSD.  The list is brief because I chose to focus on What I Know from years of experience, so here they are:

PTSD is an invisible ghost that appears in one’s emotional life at the most unexpected times.

  1. It is almost impossible to identify all of the triggers – i.e., things that remind the senses: sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell of the past trauma.
  2. PTSD is the second war the individual must fight once home and it is sometimes even more challenging to succeed.
  3. This second war can be as hideous as the first.  It is often manifested in common places and homes of the veteran.  It affects the entire family – parents, siblings, spouses, children….
  4. PTSD is like throwing a huge rock in the middle of a quiet pond.  The ripples extend far beyond the rock’s impact.  In many cases the displacement seems to suck everything in its path into a black hole where normal life disappears entirely.
  5. Ignoring PTSD symptoms does not make them go away.  They continue to fester.
  6. And most hopeful, PTSD can be managed.  It can be effectively controlled, but only if the person affected admits there is a problem.  As with most problems, awareness is the first step to healing.  Taking steps to get the appropriate help, taking the responsibility for the situation, and doing something to heal is absolutely the best, and sometimes the only viable way to move through the life journey with better emotional and physical health.
  7. One last comment to employers — A person who has fought in combat and served his/her country honorable will definitely serve your organization/company in equal fashion.  He/she will be committed to the work and fellow workers.  He will be focused on the task at hand and will be relentless in making sure that the job is done well.  She will pay attention to the details as well as the big picture.  He will be a dependable asset to your organization.  And most of all, she deserves the opportunity to have a normal, prosperous, and stable life after what she gave to our country and to us.  

Mike MacDonald of the Black Lions CO C 2/28, ’68-69’responded to this recent blog and I thought it was worth adding:

“Demonstrated Team Player” – I run a small company and there are certain things I automatically know about Vets.  They can be as disciplined as they need be, are team players, accept direction, are usually task oriented and  conscientious.”     Thanks, Mike for your comments.  

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