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By Charlene Rubush, December 28, 2012 4:14 pm

Here we are- ready to celebrate the coming New Year. There will be many parties and lots of booze flowing freely. But for those folks who are afflicted with PTSD, drinking alcohol to excess can cause big trouble for the trauma survivor and his/her family.

From an excellent article titled “PTSD and Problems with Alcohol Use” found on the National Center for PTSD website, we learn that:

“Up to three quarters of those who have survived abusive or violent trauma report drinking problems. They are at risk even if they do not have PTSD. Women with drinking problems are more likely than other women to have been sexually abused at some time in their lives. Both men and women who have been sexually abused have higher rates of alcohol and drug problems than others.”

Sixty to eighty percent of Vietnam Veterans seeking PTSD treatment have alcohol use problems. War veterans with PTSD and alcohol use problems tend to be binge drinkers. Binges may be in response to memories of trauma. Veterans over the age of 65 with PTSD are at higher risk for a suicide attempt, if they also have drinking problems or depression.

These are really shocking statistics. And as the article also points out, alcohol can actually make PTSD symptoms worse. The experts state “You may drink because using alcohol can distract you from your problems for a short time. You should know, though, that drinking makes it harder to concentrate, be productive, and enjoy all parts of life. Problems with alcohol are linked to a confused and disorderly life.”

I’m of the Vietnam generation and I know too well the hell that alcohol abuse in a loved one can cause. I’ve seen up close and personal the effects of chemical insanity on the one who abuses substances, the distorted thinking that goes along with it, and the ensuing, miserable effects on the family. Fortunately, I now know the peace that can come with a life of sobriety. It’s a hard-won battle, but well worth the price.

To read the whole article and to learn about the most effective treatment patterns for those with PTSD and alcohol abuse, go to:

http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/pages/ptsd-alcohol-use.asp

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By Charlene Rubush, October 17, 2012 1:43 pm

While October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, I believe this topic should be highlighted every day of the year, as domestic violence is too prevalent in our society.

Here are some shocking statistics:

• Studies show that 20 to 30 percent of American women are physically abused by a partner, at least once in their lifetimes.
• Each year, 1.3 million women and more than 800,000 men are physically assaulted by an intimate partner.
• More than 200,000 women are raped by an intimate partner each year.
• Studies have found that in addition to more general relationship problems, families of veterans with PTSD have more family violence, more physical and verbal aggression, and more instances of violence against a partner. (This info is from The National Center for PTSD)

Where can you go for help if you are involved with an abusive partner, if you are a senior citizen, or a child who’s being abused by a family member?

While going to the police seems to be the obvious choice, many victims are reluctant to take this option. Consider these other sources.

Here are several organizations online:

• The National Domestic Violence Hotline (www.ndvh.org) You can also reach their hotline at: 1-800-799-7233 (1-800-799-SAFE)
• Safe Horizon (www.safehorizon.org) 1-800-621-HOPE (4673) This site offers advice on how to leave an abusive relationship and provides a virtual tour of a domestic violence shelter to help you decide whether moving into a shelter is the right option for you.

If you are being stalked by your abuser:

• Safe Horizon also offers valuable info about steps you can take if you’re being stalked.
• The Stalking Resource Center is provided by the National Center for Victims of Crime, at www.ncvc.org/src

Other options:

• Your local battered women’s shelter. Look in your local phone directory under “Crisis Intervention” or “Domestic Violence Information.”
• Your local Child Protective Services or Adult Protective Services Agency.
• A place of worship
• Your doctor
• A teacher or school counselor, if you’re a minor.

Note: Much of this info was provided in Chapter 7 of the “Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder for Dummies Book” by Dr. Mark Goulston.

Reaching out for help may be the hardest thing you’ll ever do, but it also may be the very thing that saves your own life, or the lives of your loved ones. As the saying goes, “If nothing changes, nothing changes.”

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By Charlene Rubush, August 8, 2012 2:28 pm

Today I received my About.com newsletter, which includes an excellent article by Matthew Tull, Ph.D. which is about an app that is aimed at those with PTSD. It is called the PTSD Coach.

The United States Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for PTSD has developed a smartphone app to help those who are suffering with PTSD, better manage their symptoms.

This app is FREE, and has been receiving positive reviews. The PTSD Coach can be downloaded from iTunes and Android Market.

Dr.Tull notes that the PTSD Coach is not a replacement for professional treatment, but it gives someone with PTSD immediate access to quality information on PTSD and how to manage its symptoms. With the app, you’ll have easy coping strategies such as relaxation or anger management techniques.

It also can help you connect with support if you feel you’re in a crisis situation. Family members of those with PTSD, may also find the app helpful in understanding a loved one’s illness.

The National Center for PTSD is currently working on an app called the PTSD Family Coach.

To read the full article go to:

http://ptsd.about.com/od/additionalresources/qt/A-Ptsd-App-For-Your-Smartphone.htm

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By Charlene Rubush, March 7, 2012 5:15 pm

I just found another excellent PTSD booklet put out by the National Center for PTSD. It is 8 pages and covers:

What is PTSD?

Getting Help

Resources

The booklet contains real, inspiring stories by PTSD survivors and can help combat vets, rape victims, survivors of natural disasters, and any other traumatic event. You can download the booklet at:

http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/understanding_ptsd/booklet.pdf

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By Charlene Rubush, October 21, 2011 1:53 pm

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This is a time to think about the problem and learn how and why domestic violence is so prevalent among our combat vets. With knowledge, we can try to “fight back” against this epidemic that is destroying so many lives.

I’ll be referring here to an excellent article from the National Center for PTSD, titled Partners of Veterans with PTSD: Research Findings. Their fact sheet provides information about the common problems experienced in relationships in which one or both of the partners has PTSD.

This fact sheet also provides recommendations for how one can cope with these difficulties. The majority of the research involved female partners (typically wives) of male veterans. However, there is much clinical and anecdotal evidence to suggest that these problems also exist for couples where the identified PTSD patient is female.

What are common problems in relationships with PTSD-diagnosed veterans?

Research has examined the effect of PTSD on intimate relationships and reveals severe and pervasive negative effects on:

•  Marital adjustment
• General family functioning
• The mental health of partners

These negative effects result in:

• Compromised parenting
• Family violence
• Divorce
• Sexual problems
• Aggression     
• Caregiver burnout

Interpersonal Violence:

Studies have found that families of veterans with PTSD have more family violence, more physical and verbal aggression, and more instances of violence against a partner.

It has been noted that 42% of 50 Vietnam veterans in a particular study, showed they had engaged in at least one act of physical violence against their partner in the previous year. 92% had verbally abused their partner in the prior year.

The severity of the veteran’s PTSD symptoms was directly related to the severity of relationship problems and physical and verbal aggression against the partner.

To read more facts on this subject, go to:

http://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/pages/partners_of_vets_research_findings.asp

Note:

Oh, how I relate to this personally, and in my next post, I’ll focus on “caregiver burden” and help for the combat veteran’s partner.

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By Charlene Rubush, June 27, 2011 10:01 pm

It’s been a long time comng, but finally, more and more people are becoming aware of the life-threatening disorder called Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD.

I think back to 1987, when I was driven to the Veterans Outreach Center (VOC) by a family crisis. My then husband, a Vietnam combat vet, had just seen the film Platoon and had a devastating reaction. His behavior became bizarre and frightening.

The crisis made me swallow my pride and finally reach out for help. On my first visit to the VOC, my counselor handed me a pamphlet explaining what PTSD was. I finally had a name for the agony we were trying to cope with. This was long before most households had computers and access to information that is now so readily available.

Today you can go to the National Center for PTSD and find a tremendous amount of wonderful information and resources. They have a free 15 page pamphlet titled Returning from the War Zone- A Guide for Families of Military Members.

I’m glad to see how far we’ve come in understanding and treating PTSD. We now know that PTSD is a normal reaction to being in a war. I’m happy that I can pass on excellent resources for today’s returning vets and their families. There is so much help and hope now.

The general public needs to learn about PTSD. We’re all just one traumatic event away from acquiring PTSD. And believe me, it is life-changing.

Visit their website to learn more:

http://www.ptsd.va.gov