Survivor Guilt Related to PTSD
River Journal
By Michael Harmelin
08/07/2012
There are all kinds of trauma for veterans.... even for those who didn't serve in a combat zone
With the latest information in the news stating that more veterans have committed suicide than have died in Afghanistan this year, it raises some interesting questions/thoughts.
According to the June 8, 2012, article on page A4 of The Spokesman-Review, “154 suicides for active-duty troops in the first 155 days of the year far outdistance the U.S. forces killed in action in Afghanistan—by about 50 percent more—according to Pentagon statistics obtained by the Associated Press.” And further in the article, “Army data suggest soldiers with multiple combat tours are at greater risk of committing suicide, although a substantial proportion of Army suicides are committed by soldiers who never deployed.”
I suggest that perhaps the military needs to look at the effect that Survivor Guilt for non-deployed members of the military has on them, as it relates to this apparent upswing in suicides in the military. For instance, hypothetically, a male or female member of the military trains with the same personnel through Basic Training and then on through Advanced Individual Training.
When it comes time for deployment to a “combat zone,” one or more of the group is not sent into a “combat zone,” and as a matter of fact, is not deployed outside of the U.S. (CONUS). The individual(s) then receives reports from the “combat zone” that a number of his/her close friends/comrades have been killed and/or have lost limbs, while he/she is safely out of harm’s way. Sure, he/she could have been deployed, but they weren’t. Now, after hearing the aforementioned report, he/she begins to feel guilty; guilty that they not only survived, but didn’t even have to go anywhere near a war zone.
This “Survivor Guilt” intensifies to the point where the non combat veteran believes that if he/she had been with their buddies, perhaps they could have prevented some or all of the deaths of their friends.
read more here
Showing posts with label survivor guilt. Show all posts
Showing posts with label survivor guilt. Show all posts
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
If Christ had compassion for the Roman Centurion, what about you?
If Christ had compassion for the Roman Centurion, what about you?
by
Chaplain Kathie
Many veterans are dealing with survivors guilt after combat. One aspect of PTSD is wondering why they survived when their friends didn't but there is another part to it. Taking the life of someone else. Survivors guilt cannot be taken away with pills, or alcohol, but can be vanquished with understanding something most misunderstand.
"If only" pops into their heads as they wonder how they could have changed the outcome of something. Frankly, it is hard for any human to understand they are not in control and do not have the power of God. Aside from wondering where God was during war, they wonder why He didn't stop it all from happening in the first place. After combat, they wonder if God is real almost as if they wonder if He is punishing them for what they did when they are suffering with PTSD.
The Sunday school lessons they learned as a child feed into their guilt.
They believe they are guilty in the eyes of God viewing their service linked to "murder" and not part of being a defender. While the Old Testament is filled with accounts of combat, even more horrific than we see today, they are not reminded of these events. Combat is not murder. Killing is not the end result they seek. While in the chaos of combat one side is trying to kill off the other side but the outcome everyone seeks is an end to the killing. Should the other side surrender, the warriors would be more than happy to put their weapons down and go home.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Christ said this,
Most of it applies to the men and women serving this country but they fail to remember why they wanted to serve in the first place. What was their original intent? Was it to kill or was it to defend? Were they really willing to die for the reason of combat or were they willing to die for each other?
There is something else that supports Christ's view of those who serve. Consider the Roman Centurion. He was part of the occupiers and since Christ knew the outcome of His life, He knew it would be Roman hands that would nail Him to the cross, yet when the Centurion came to Him for help, this is what happened.
If Christ had compassion for the Roman Centurion, then there can be no question about compassion for the men and women serving for the sake of others.
Do not view death as God needing them more, or it was just their time to go, any more than you should view yourself to blame. As long as you did what you could at the time, that is all that was in your power. God has mercy and maybe He brings them home so they won't have to suffer afterwards. Set aside the "would have" "could have" and "should have" as much as you set aside "what if" because it is an answer you will not find. What you can find is peace by knowing you are forgiven and when you do the hardest thing, of forgiving yourself.
by
Chaplain Kathie
Many veterans are dealing with survivors guilt after combat. One aspect of PTSD is wondering why they survived when their friends didn't but there is another part to it. Taking the life of someone else. Survivors guilt cannot be taken away with pills, or alcohol, but can be vanquished with understanding something most misunderstand.
"If only" pops into their heads as they wonder how they could have changed the outcome of something. Frankly, it is hard for any human to understand they are not in control and do not have the power of God. Aside from wondering where God was during war, they wonder why He didn't stop it all from happening in the first place. After combat, they wonder if God is real almost as if they wonder if He is punishing them for what they did when they are suffering with PTSD.
The Sunday school lessons they learned as a child feed into their guilt.
Matthew 5
21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder,and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.
They believe they are guilty in the eyes of God viewing their service linked to "murder" and not part of being a defender. While the Old Testament is filled with accounts of combat, even more horrific than we see today, they are not reminded of these events. Combat is not murder. Killing is not the end result they seek. While in the chaos of combat one side is trying to kill off the other side but the outcome everyone seeks is an end to the killing. Should the other side surrender, the warriors would be more than happy to put their weapons down and go home.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Christ said this,
The Beatitudes
He said:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Most of it applies to the men and women serving this country but they fail to remember why they wanted to serve in the first place. What was their original intent? Was it to kill or was it to defend? Were they really willing to die for the reason of combat or were they willing to die for each other?
There is something else that supports Christ's view of those who serve. Consider the Roman Centurion. He was part of the occupiers and since Christ knew the outcome of His life, He knew it would be Roman hands that would nail Him to the cross, yet when the Centurion came to Him for help, this is what happened.
Luke 7
The Faith of the Centurion
1 When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people who were listening, he entered Capernaum. 2 There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. 3 The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4 When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, 5 because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” 6 So Jesus went with them.
He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. 7 That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
9 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” 10 Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.
If Christ had compassion for the Roman Centurion, then there can be no question about compassion for the men and women serving for the sake of others.
Do not view death as God needing them more, or it was just their time to go, any more than you should view yourself to blame. As long as you did what you could at the time, that is all that was in your power. God has mercy and maybe He brings them home so they won't have to suffer afterwards. Set aside the "would have" "could have" and "should have" as much as you set aside "what if" because it is an answer you will not find. What you can find is peace by knowing you are forgiven and when you do the hardest thing, of forgiving yourself.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
A year after Deepwater Horizon explosion, 3 survivors still struggling
This happened after one traumatic event in their lives. For all the veterans out there still finding it hard to accept the reality of PTSD in them, count the number of times your life was on the line and then wonder no more. You were just a human before you went into combat, still human during it and still human after it. You saw more, did more and endured more hardship than anyone else, so there is nothing to be ashamed of unless you think your ability to feel things deeply is wrong.
A year after Deepwater Horizon explosion, 3 survivors still struggling
By Chuck Hadad, CNN
April 21, 2011 5:34 a.m. EDT
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Survivors say the scars from the disaster have taken their lives away
Medical records: Survivors have been diagnosed with multiple mental issues
One says he wakes up screaming from nightmares
Transocean says its focus is on providing support for employees
(CNN) -- For some survivors of the Deepwater Horizon disaster, escaping the inferno of the doomed rig made them feel like they'd cheated death.
But living with the scars of what they witnessed that night, and the memory of the 11 men who perished when the rig exploded off the coast of Louisiana a year ago, has in many ways taken their lives away.
"I remember feeling invincible when it first happened. I remember driving in my truck on the way home after the rig exploded and (I) pushed the gas (pedal) to the floor and never let off it," says Daniel Barron.
But the high Barron felt from surviving didn't last long.
"You have that guilty conscience of, 'Okay, I made it, that's great, but then these guys didn't.' Was there something I could have done to save more people?"
read more here
A year after Deepwater Horizon explosion
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Afghanistan war hero and Military Cross soldier was tortured by guilt
Brave: Sergeant Michael Lockett receives the Military Cross from the Queen at Buckingham Palace, for services in Afghanistan
Afghanistan war hero and Military Cross soldier was tortured by guilt
By Michael Seamark
Last updated at 8:52 AM on 24th September 2009
His unflinching bravery in saving wounded comrades under fire earned him the Military Cross but, astonishingly, Sergeant Michael Lockett was later racked with guilt.
The 29-year-old hero - who repeatedly risked his life for others - was killed this week by a roadside bomb during a return tour to Afghanistan.
But before his final mission the father of three gave a series of haunting interviews in which he spoke of his despair at having to leave one dead colleague behind.
read more here
Afghanistan war hero and Military Cross soldier was tortured by guilt
Agony and courage of hero in mourning
The Military Cross hero killed by the Taliban after returning to front line
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Survivors cope with guilt over grenade heroism
Survivors cope with guilt over grenade heroism
By Gregg Zoroya - USA TodayPosted : Thursday Sep 20, 2007 12:45:05 EDT
Army Staff Sgt. Ian Newland spotted the enemy grenade inside the Humvee. Almost simultaneously, he saw Spc. Ross McGinnis, 19 — a gunner standing in the turret of the vehicle — lower himself onto it.
“I saw him jam it with his elbow up underneath him,” said Newland, who was sitting inches away. “He pressed his whole body with his back [armor] plate to smother it up against the radios.”
The heat and flash of an explosion followed, and McGinnis was killed. Hours later, after surgery for shrapnel wounds, Newland realized the enormity of what happened: McGinnis had sacrificed himself to save four other soldiers in the Humvee on Dec. 4.
“Why he did it? Because we were his brothers. He loved us,” Newland said.
Since the Iraq war began, at least five Americans — two soldiers, two Marines and a Navy SEAL — are believed to have thrown themselves on a grenade to save comrades. Each time, the service member died from massive wounds.
Heroic acts mark every war. Among the most remarkable involve self-sacrifice.
“What a decision that is,” said Frank Farley, a Temple University psychologist who studies bravery. “I can’t think of anything more profound in human nature.”
Survivors, while deeply grateful for their lives, find the aftermath complicated. According to interviews with a dozen surviving soldiers, sailors and Marines, there remains an overpowering sense of guilt and an unspoken feeling that they need to be worthy of the sacrifice.
click post title for the rest
By Gregg Zoroya - USA TodayPosted : Thursday Sep 20, 2007 12:45:05 EDT
Army Staff Sgt. Ian Newland spotted the enemy grenade inside the Humvee. Almost simultaneously, he saw Spc. Ross McGinnis, 19 — a gunner standing in the turret of the vehicle — lower himself onto it.
“I saw him jam it with his elbow up underneath him,” said Newland, who was sitting inches away. “He pressed his whole body with his back [armor] plate to smother it up against the radios.”
The heat and flash of an explosion followed, and McGinnis was killed. Hours later, after surgery for shrapnel wounds, Newland realized the enormity of what happened: McGinnis had sacrificed himself to save four other soldiers in the Humvee on Dec. 4.
“Why he did it? Because we were his brothers. He loved us,” Newland said.
Since the Iraq war began, at least five Americans — two soldiers, two Marines and a Navy SEAL — are believed to have thrown themselves on a grenade to save comrades. Each time, the service member died from massive wounds.
Heroic acts mark every war. Among the most remarkable involve self-sacrifice.
“What a decision that is,” said Frank Farley, a Temple University psychologist who studies bravery. “I can’t think of anything more profound in human nature.”
Survivors, while deeply grateful for their lives, find the aftermath complicated. According to interviews with a dozen surviving soldiers, sailors and Marines, there remains an overpowering sense of guilt and an unspoken feeling that they need to be worthy of the sacrifice.
click post title for the rest
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)