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Mask - drawn in PTSD therapy |

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Why did he write it?
·
Why did it take so long to write it?
·
What has been the reaction since he published
it?
The conclusion of the questions was that he suffered from
PTSD with all the typical conditions: hyper-arousal; with anger, and violent
dreams, re-experiencing; evidenced by daytime reliving the occurrences, and avoidance;
with detachment or isolation from family, friends, and daily events. Fortunately for him his wife stayed with him
and supported him until he was able to cope with the problem.

The term may be relatively new but the condition has existed
since early history of man. A movie from
the 60’s starred Gregory Peck as Captain Newman, M.D. who was vexed by the
prevalence of Combat Fatigue. Treatment
is complicated by the fact that the patient, and it is now considered a medical
condition, is generally in denial that there is a problem and is reluctant to
seek assistance.
Yesterday I attended a Polo match in Del Mar, which honored
veterans (including me). One of the more
interesting booths was soliciting interest and funds for a program called Horses Joining Forces, which seeks to
bring veterans suffering from PTSD into a feeling of trust by having them form
trusting relationships with horses. The
program was started by a combat Marine who saw what value there was in horse
therapy for disadvantaged children.
There were other booths at the Polo Field, reminding me that
many organizations are assisting the overworked and underfunded Veterans
Administration. Even before
Sequestration the VA was behind the power curve of need for Veterans. An organization I belong to, the Military Officers
Association of America has a great program preparing separating veterans for
the work force. An organization called
Veterans 360, which has a similar mission, had a booth at the Polo Match.
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Goya - Rape by a combatant Soldier |
So, the point of this Post is that I now know PTSD is not a
malingering phenomenon, nor is it “all in the mind”. I have a greater respect for those who suffer
from it and even have a greater respect for what my wife experienced from my
long-term absences while in the Navy. I
don’t think I ever suffered from PTSD, but her adjustment while I was deployed
might very well have had the same consequences.
On a lighter note, my next Post will be titled “Varicosities”
and will explain my feelings on tattoos.
Please come visit.
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