PTSD: NAMB chaplains get biblical training

Today must be the day of my vindication. This is one more article written about the connection between PTSD and the spirit. You would think with what the military knows they would actually see what they know and understand it, but they don't. This is a wound to the soul, the spirit of the warrior and has been documented throughout history. Why is it the military seems all so willing to dismiss all of this when they are treating soldiers with the technology but not the spiritual needs where all of this arises from?

"Psyche means soul" in the words of Dr. Tick, author of War and The Soul. No one seems to know why the DOD and the VA have ignored so much of this. I've made more progress in the last five years than I have dreamt of before. Why? Because after I wrote my book, For the Love of Jack, His War/My Battle, I stopped just looking at the spiritual needs I had met by God but saw how the wound set in on our veterans in the first place. I understood that what my husband was saying, was what most of them were saying. I trusted that understanding enough to allow me to talk more freely about the wounded souls. I stopped approaching it as a distant, disconnected teacher and allowed the human to rise up.

When I write about the spiritual needs of healing, I am either ignored or treated to rambling emails about the proselytizing going on in the military instead of reaching out to all of God's children. Non-religious friends of mine cannot understand we are all spiritual creatures, no matter what faith we claim and all of us have the same needed of reconnecting to God, no matter which way we seek it. I don't care what church anyone decides to go to, or what religious group they belong to. That is not my job and is not my place to decide for them. I am simply trying to get them to look at another aspect of being human. A side they have forgotten in all of this screaming out for help.

Right now, to all the people dismissing the spiritual aspect of PTSD, they need to either pay attention from this point on or get out of the way. Ancient people knew better how to treat PTSD than they do but our troops and veterans have been paying the price for their ignorance of the soul and the need to be fed.

Edward Tick's Story
The warrior returns

"PTSD is a soul wound."

Dr. Ed Tick, author of War and the Soul, discusses how ancient cultures dealt with returning warriors, and the modern veteran’s place in society today.
Dr. Edward Tick, author of the groundbreaking book “War and the Soul” and founder of Soldier’s Heart, is a practicing psychotherapist specializing in veterans with PTSD. Ed received his master’s in psychology from Goddard College, Vermont and his doctorate in communication from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY. Ed has been in private psychotherapy practice since 1975 and began focusing on veteran’s issues in 1979.

http://www.notalone.com/the-warrior-returns-2065.htm

PTSD: NAMB chaplains get biblical training

Posted on Jul 2, 2009 by Ann Lovell
SEOUL, South Korea (BP)--Chaplain (Major) Ed Choi understands the reality of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Deployed as a U.S. Army chaplain in Iraq for tours of duty in 2004-05 and 2006-07, Choi lost more than 30 soldiers and conducted 18 memorial services. He returned from combat burnt out, angry and frustrated.

"I was on my knees in my living room, crying out to God," Choi said. "I read Matthew 12:18-21, and verse 20 spoke to me -- 'a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.' I knew I needed help, but then my wife also told me I needed help. When she speaks, I listen."

Choi attended the Advanced School for Chaplains at Fort Jackson, S.C., also known as the Captain Chaplain's Career Course or C4. At the Advanced School, he realized that he was suffering from compassion fatigue, and he was diagnosed with PTSD.

"At C4," Choi said, "I realized I was not alone."

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder affects approximately 5.2 million people in any given year. The National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder estimates that 70 percent of the general population will experience a traumatic event in their lives. Of that 70 percent, 20 percent are likely to develop PTSD symptoms, which include reliving the event, avoiding situations that trigger memories of the event and feeling numb or jumpy. Those who live and work in dangerous situations are at greater risk. Military chaplains are certainly no exception.
go here for more
http://www.sbcbaptistpress.org/BPnews.asp?ID=30826

Fort Campbell Soldiers spending 4th of July at White House

Campbell soldiers to spend July 4 with Obama

The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Jul 2, 2009 6:51:03 EDT

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. — Some soldiers from Fort Campbell will spend July Fourth with President Barack Obama at the White House.

The post on the Kentucky-Tennessee border says 25 soldiers and family members will join the president Saturday during the White House Salute to the Military.

Members of 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Division Special Troops Battalion and the Warrior Transition Unit will attend the celebration on the South Lawn of the White House.
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/07/ap_campbell_obama_july4_070209/

Another suicide with rented gun in Florida

Police identify man who killed himself at shooting range
The man died after shooting himself at Rieg's Gun Shop on South Orange Blossom Trail.


Sarah Lundy

Sentinel Staff Writer

1:45 PM EDT, July 2, 2009
A man who died Wednesday night after renting a gun and shooting himself at Rieg's Gun Shop on South Orange Blossom Trail has been identified as Valentin Pepelea, the Orange County Sheriff's Office said.

Pepelea, 43, is from Canada, according to the Sheriff's Office. No other information about Pepelea is available.

Authorities said he walked into Rieg's and rented a gun for target practice.

After firing at targets, he turned the gun on himself about 6:40 p.m., shooting himself in the head, the Sheriff's Office said.

Pepelea was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
go here for more
Police identify man who killed himself at shooting range

Deployed soldier takes new oath,,,,as a lawyer

Deployed soldier sworn in as lawyer over video

By David Eggert - The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Jul 2, 2009 15:20:22 EDT

LANSING, Mich. — Before being deployed to Iraq, Army Reserve Maj. Miles Gengler needed Red Bull energy drinks to survive his schedule.

Wake up at 4 a.m. Drive over an hour to work while listening to legal CDs. Come home. Squeeze in time with his wife and three kids. Pack for Iraq. Settle other matters before leaving the country for at least a year. Oh — and study for Michigan’s two-day bar exam.

Gengler, 35, was rewarded Wednesday when he was sworn in as a new lawyer while standing more than 6,000 miles away in Baghdad’s Green Zone. Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Marilyn Kelly administered the 240-word oath during a unique long-distance ceremony at the state National Guard headquarters in Lansing.

“I’m just in awe,” Gengler, of Grand Blanc, told reporters. “I’m just a soldier like 120,000 or so others here in Iraq.”

The chief justice said she could not help but get emotional during the swearing-in, partly because of the time delay between when she stated the oath and when Gengler could repeat it.
go here for moreDeployed soldier sworn in as lawyer over video

The warrior returns, PTSD and Soldier's Soul

For anyone out there that still thinks I'm nuts talking about the soul and PTSD, you really need to read this and listen to Dr. Tick. He's not the first one to talk about it, but it will give you some clue what I've been talking about all these years.

This week's story
The warrior returns
Dr. Edward Tick, author of the groundbreaking book “War and the Soul” and founder of Soldier’s Heart, is a practicing psychotherapist specializing in veterans with PTSD. Ed received his Master’s in Psychology from Goddard College, Vermont and his Doctorate in Communication from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY. Ed has been in private psychotherapy practice since 1975 and began focusing on veteran’s issues in 1979. His pioneering work with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or, in his words, ‘loss of the soul’, is the basis for his recent book War and the Soul . He continues his healing work with veterans and other trauma survivors with innovative yet time-honored methods. Ed has extensively studied both classical Greek and Native American traditions and successfully integrates their methods into modern clinical work.
More information about Soldier's Heart can be found at www.soldiersheart.net.

You can listen to Ed's story on our story site here.

Families should watch for signs a veteran is repressing emotions

The occupation of Iraq is winding down as troops are withdrawn from the cities. Plans are in place to pull out most of the troops. While some will have to be trained for deployment to Afghanistan, others will be returned home to bases, cities and towns, as combat veterans. Many of these men and women no longer on the cycle of redeployments, will have the time they need to rest and recover from the endless months of risking their lives. The problem is, too many people right back here are still clueless about what they went through and what they can carry back home inside of them because of all of it.

Citizen soldiers, the National Guards and Reservists, returning to their families, no longer have the same connection they had to the people they deployed with. The support services are still not in place in too many states. They are expected to simply return to their "normal" lives just as veterans are expected to return to their lives as citizens instead of soldier. What is it they are coming back to?

After the welcome home banners have come down, after the parties and the parades, what exactly is it we are willing to do for them after asking every kind of sacrifice out of them? The great news has been posted here on this blog with service groups, churches and veterans groups stepping up to help. Charity organizations formed to take care of the dire need. This is all good news, but the truth is, too many in this country remain with their heads buried in the latest political scandal, reality TV show or their own problems to notice what has been happening for far too long.

We are nowhere near ready to take care of the veterans we already have needing help. The biggest issue is that families are the first ones to know when something is wrong but if they don't know what PTSD is, they will not know what to do.

Families should watch for signs a veteran is repressing emotions
Queens Chronicle - Rego Park,NY,USA
by Victor Epstein, Chronicle Contributor
07/02/2009

Our servicemen and women in Iraq and Afghanistan are no strangers to hardship. Yet one challenge they might not expect — but most probably look forward to — is the challenge of coming home.

Returning home from combat is a lot more then tearful reunions and heartfelt embraces. Many veterans find it a difficult challenge, one they are entirely unprepared for.


“When I came home it took a while to adjust,” said veteran Ed Diez, who works in Woodside. “You’re used to being always alert, every day, all the time. And you come home; everybody is very relaxed, telling you ‘Calm down,’ and you can’t seem to fit in properly, in the beginning at least.”

Diez served in Afghanistan in 2003 and 2004 as a specialist and at various times a squad leader with the 10th Mountain Division, 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry. Now he takes history classes at Queens College and works for the Vietnam Veterans of America as a service officer, counseling veterans about their benefits at the QVC in Woodhaven.

When he returned from combat, Diez said he personally experienced stress, social anxiety and trouble finding work or readjusting to his old life. These problems are common for returning veterans, and for some can be more serious. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, an anxiety disorder that can develop after traumatic experiences, is fairly common among returning veterans. “I would say probably close to 100 percent of those returning from combat would have some level of PTSD, though what level differs,” said retired Sgt. First Class Marvin Jeffcoat.

PTSD came to the public attention in the 1970s as Vietnam veterans returned and was formally recognized in 1980.

Jeffcoat, 44, was a soldier for 22 years and served in the Persian Gulf War. Born in South Jamiaca and now living in Woodside, he was recently elected to oversee the 26 Veterans of Foreign Wars posts in Queens. Jeffcoat said PTSD is not limited to veterans who have been in combat, mentioning accidental shootings, car crashes and a number of other traumatic scenarios as possible catalysts for the disorder.

“I had a roommate commit suicide,” he said. “His death was more disturbing to me than any number of dead Iraqis I saw.”

Dr. Paulette Peterson, who has worked for 24 years at the QVC, described PTSD as a great burden. “You don’t feel safe, you want to avoid thinking about the war, but it’s always on your mind,” she said. The QVC is a federally funded program started in 1979 by the Department of Veteran Affairs to help veterans deal with psychological issues.
click link for more

Churches come to aid of PTSD veterans

When the War Never Ends
Many vets are ambushed by post-traumatic stress disorder. But some churches are coming to their defense.
Jocelyn Green posted 7/02/2009 09:05AM
Nate self's military record was impeccable. A West Point graduate, he led an elite Army Ranger outfit and established himself as a war hero in March 2002 for his leadership during a 15-hour ambush firefight in Afghanistan. The battle resulted in a Silver Star, a Purple Heart, and a position as President Bush's guest of honor for the 2003 State of the Union. But by late 2004, Self had walked away from the Army. In another surprise attack, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) had taken his life captive.

"I just hated myself," says Self. "I felt like I was somebody different. And since I didn't feel like I could be who I was before, and hated who I was now, I just wanted to kill the new person. I felt like I had messed up everything in my life. The easiest way, the most cowardly way to escape, was to just depart."

When Andrea Westfall returned from her 10-month deployment in Kuwait with the Oregon Army National Guard in 2003, she too found herself fighting an invisible battle with ptsd. Unable to cope with the enemy, she isolated herself and drank every night to numb the pain and aid sleep.

Self and Westfall are among the untold number of soldiers who leave the battlefield only to fight another war in their mind and spirit. Studies show that nearly one in five returnees from Iraq and Afghanistan suffer from ptsd, an anxiety disorder introduced into the third edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders in 1980. Reported wartime PTSD cases jumped roughly 50 percent in 2007; Army statistics showed there were nearly 14,000 newly diagnosed cases in 2007, compared with more than 9,500 new cases the previous year and 1,632 in 2003. About 40,000 troops have been diagnosed with PTSD since 2003. Officials believe the actual number may be much higher—possibly as high as 30 percent of all U.S. vets—and think many are in denial or keep their illness hidden for fear that it could harm or end their military careers and preclude future benefits.
go here for more
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2009/july/14.48.html?start=1

A chaplain in the right place

Wednesday, July 1, 2009
A chaplain in the right place
Posted by tmatt
I was stunned the other day by the total lack of interest in the religion elements of the big story here in Washington, D.C., as in the tragedy on our Metro subway system. The coverage has been major league, as you would expect, and the story on which I focused was one out of many worthy of discussion.

(Sound of crickets on a still night)

OK, I don’t care.

I’m going to write about this subject again, because the Washington Post had a follow-up story the other day that was simply baptized in religious themes and images, for a totally valid, journalistic reason. You see, one of the survivors from that first Metro car, the one that was crushed to one third its size, was — wait for it — was a military chaplain with two tours worth of experience in Iraq. He was in the wrong place at the right time.

In the end, the Post turned Car 1079 into a kind of urban version of “The Bridge of San Luis Rey.” Who was in that car at the crucial moment, when it was “Three Minutes to Fort Totten”?

I do have a few questions, however.

With this kind of anecdotal story, any feature writer has to ask two questions right up front: (1) What’s the symbolic story that gives me a lede? And (2) What’s the over-arching principle that provides the structure (and how does the lede fit into that)?

Now, it’s clear to me that Dave Bottoms, the chaplain who has just arrived at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, provides most of the information and insights that provide the structure of the story. Yet, the lede starts somewhere else, with Tom Baker, a doctor, and the last man to step onto the train before the doors closed and it began its short, final trip. I understand that choice. Yet I also wonder if leading with the chaplain was, oh, too religious? Did the editorial team conclude that this would be too focused on the faith element of the story?

click link for more

UK Report Cognitive Behavioural Therapy a waste of money

Government wasting money on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy suggests study
Written by Lautaro Vargas
Thursday, 02 July 2009
New research from the University of Hertfordshire has concluded that Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) represents is of no value to sufferers of schizophrenia and has limited effect on depression.

Developed from a mix of cognitive and behavioural therapy, CBT is designed to systematically help solve problems in people’s lives, such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder or drug misuse.

Professor Keith Laws, at the University’s School of Psychology, is a lead author on a paper entitled: Cognitive behavioural therapy for major psychiatric disorder: does it really work?

This meta-analytical review of well-controlled trials, published online in the journal Psychological Medicine, reviews the use of CBT in schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depression.

The results of the review suggest that not only is CBT ineffective in treating schizophrenia and in preventing relapse, it is also ineffective in preventing relapses in bipolar disorder.

The review also suggests that CBT has only a weak effect in treating depression, but it has a greater effect in preventing relapses in this disorder.

The authors focused particularly on methodologically rigorous trials that compared CBT to a ‘psychological placebo’ and also investigated the impact of ‘blinding’, i.e. whether or not the people who assessed the patients knew if they were receiving active treatment or not.

Both factors are considered essential before a drug treatment is approved for use in psychiatric disorders.
go here for more
Government wasting money on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy suggests study

Women veterans find Grace After Fire

Grace After Fire

An online community designed by and for women veterans is finally here! Grace After Fire is a place where women can safely and anonymously share their stories, find their own community of shared experiences and discover a wealth of resources -- whether for addiction, alcoholism, post traumatic stress, reintegration, military sexual trauma (MST), depression, or help trying to navigate the VA system.

Grace was created to help women veterans find the "new normal" after serving in the Armed Forces. Grace lets women veterans and their families and friends talk about their problems through forums, blogs, chat, and more.

Visit www.graceafterfire.org and read the stories of women veterans from all eras past and present to learn about their strengths and the struggles they face every day. You will find a unique community where women veterans finally have a private online home of their own to share their stories, thoughts, and issues.

Become a Member!
Join the community! Find and give support in the online forums where women are able to find supportive healing for the most complex problems in the simplest ways. RegisterToday!

Donate!
Every email we open, every phone we answer, every women veteran we help -- your contributions make it happen! Our passionate and dedicated veteran volunteers have already given their money, their time, and their hearts to start this exciting nonprofit organization. We need your help to keep it going! Any amount that you can give will help us continue serving our women veterans. Click here to help a woman veteran today!

Contribute online to Grace's List, a place to offer or donate your extra household items, clothing, or free services to our veterans. Only Grace's women and their families will benefit from the donations that you give!
Contact Us
If you are a qualified provider of behavioral and mental health services,
If you can offer free or reduced-cost services, coupons or discounts,
If you would like to participate in our monthly give-away.
Most importantly, you can help spread the word! Forward this email on to a friend, a co-worker, a neighbor, or family member - tell others about Grace After Fire!

Our women vets have served, and now they deserve.
www.GraceAfterFire.org

http://e2ma.net/go/2168960803/1977042/73117514/28338/goto:http://www.graceafterfire.org/index.php