With 30,000 more troops scheduled for deployment for Afghanistan, a mission clearly defined and an exit strategy set before the American people, we forge ahead.
And while we could debate the party politics and military merit of the road ahead, it’s the unintended fallout that deserves at least equal time.
More and more, we’re hearing about PTSD and how, when our humanity is dismissed and our core values are violated, we are traumatized.
It’s a story of violence and conflict, whether it is war or genocide or terrorism, it insidiously inches its way into the human condition and survival is beset with trauma. Yes, the names and hotspots can shift, but the impact remains the same, imperiling and fracturing the inner core of what it means to be human.
And that’s why I found this video so compelling with its pictures of PTSD.
We see combat soldiers with heads bowed in anguish, who have survived, but with a sacrifice that asks: What have I become?
As practitioners in mind/body medicine, how do we prepare? How do we treat the trauma of these raw wounds that pierce heart and soul?
We address many of these questions in our treating trauma programs, so check them out.
very observant, as far as your mother calling then..hehe. anyways..I know what you mean, you wake up and even before you open your eyes it’s feeding you some trash about how you might as well just go back to bed because life sucks kind of stuff…I swear it feels outside of myself..it’s heavy, it’s dark, it’s thick, and it is doesn’t make any logical sense,but I am told it’s just depression. years ago I would awake to actual negative phrases, but I refuse to listen to it, and I am adamant about being positive and I refuse to live life being negative..you have to be strong, and fight for it.. . edit: reread your question, sometimes I feel empathetic, and that I am picking up on peoples negative emotions too,almost like they are not my emotions but someone elses that I am picking up on whose close to me in some way (could be why you feel negative before mom calls) too me my thoughts and my emotions sometimes don’t go together,but then I’ll talk to a friend later who had a very bad day,and they tell me how they were sad all day, and I wonder you know?
I am an Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) Coach and a Certified Professional Life Coach participating in the EFT and PTSD Study by the Soul Medicine Institute (please go to http://www.stressproject.org to see the details). EFT brings amazing results in treating PTSD, and the study supports this statement. There is going to be another study starting in January. So what I am trying to say is that there are effective ways of treating PTSD, and (I believe) it is a matter of time before they get recognized and approved by medical and psychological authorities. So let’s put our efforts together to get the message through.
Nancy…thank you for what you are doing for our veterans. They deserve whatever we can provide for them. My husband, Kenny is a VietNam Marine–67-68. I am very interested in your work. If you would like to share, my email is cc50@sbcglobal.net. Are you familiar with Gary Craig’s EFT work? http://www.emofree.com.
Thank you for all that you do.
Peace…Cathy/Reno, NV/775-722-7121
what can we do to prevent these men from going???
I am a Holistic Health Practioner in NJ with my MA in Holistic Health. I use life coaching, Reiki (RMT) and other modalities with my clients. ANY vet who comes to me (combat or not) receives a bill marked ‘PAID IN FULL”. I have found that this has a profound effect on our society’s warriors who gave so much to so many, both here and abroad. I make sure they know that we made a promise to them that I intend to keep. Roughly 25 – 30% of my practice is dedicated to serving THEM. Their stories break my heart, and I feel this is the least I can do for them.