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By Charlene Rubush, August 14, 2012 3:48 pm

Today I’m re-posting a book review on one of the best books I’ve found on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Outstanding Resource from One Who Knows

This review is on:

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder For Dummies (Paperback)

This is a comprehensive look at a very serious subject. Written by Mark Goulston, MD, a top psychiatrist and life-skills coach, the book delivers invaluable information and advice for those living with PTSD.

It’s also an excellent primer for anyone interested in the subject. Dr. Goulston writes with a conversational tone that is very comforting. His primary message to his reader is:

“There is a road out of this terrible place.”

PTSD victims and their family members have to be reminded of this at every turn, for the depression and isolation that usually comes with PTSD, too often leads to suicide. We are seeing this more and more in combat veterans.

While Dr. Goulston notes that PTSD is a major, life-altering disorder, and an “invisible epidemic” affecting at least 13 million Americans of every age, he also asserts the good news today, is that PTSD is highly treatable.

PTSD is a complex illness, and there are many manifestations of it. The author explains that there are two primary types of PTSD: Simple and Complex.

Simple PTSD usually follows a single event, while Complex PTSD can occur after repeated traumas. Goulston gives insights into the amazing array of available treatments that now offer relief and healing.

He addresses the challenges and stresses facing the loved ones of those with PTSD, as well as nearly every facet of this “Anxiety Disorder.” He also manages to infuse the book with flashes of humor, a much-needed tool for fighting PTSD.

This book will help anyone interested in PTSD, and that should be all of us, as we’re all just one traumatic event away from it. As our war veterans return from Iraq and Afghanistan, this vital resource can provide great hope and understanding.

Don’t be mislead by the “Dummies” label. This book is chock-full of scientific facts, and proven remedies. A very important work on PTSD. Highly, enthusiastically recommended!!

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By Charlene Rubush, July 6, 2012 5:12 pm

Part Two:

Thank goodness, today there seems to be a greater awareness of the high price military families pay when their loved ones go off to war.

I know that the day I listened to Bert Carson, a Vietnam veteran speak, (back in the early 90′s) was an integral part of  healing my psychic wounds. When he asked those women in the audience who were wives of combat vets, to stand up and be recognized, I felt I was no longer invisible and alone.

Only those who “have been there” truly know just how hard life can be when your loved one comes back from war and is not the person you said “goodbye” to. Looking back on my experience of being a spouse of a combat vet, reminds me that my life back then, was anything but “normal.”

When my Vietnam vet husband came back from Nam, he left the military. Therefore, we were pretty much on our own. We never received any material from the military advising us that we might be eligible for counseling should we encounter problems related to my husband’s service. We’d never heard the term “Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.” It was like we were stumbling around in the dark, trying to find the light switch.

I doubt that any of my civilian friends were experiencing nights like I had, where my sleep was interrupted 3-4 nights a week, by a stumbling, incoherent drunk, mumbling about things he’s seen and done in Nam.

I rarely shared what was happening at home with friends, and never with relatives. I felt it was “private” and “embarrassing.”

Today I know that my “keeping of secrets” was what helped me become seriously depressed, physically ill, and feeling hopeless.

It was only years later, after my divorce, that I was able to “speak my truth.” What a freeing thing that was. Every time I spoke about my experience (to counselors and often to strangers) I felt a lifting and renewal of my spirit. I found that once I realized I was “proud of myself” for enduring what many people wouldn’t or couldn’t endure, I could use that truth to heal my deepest wounds.

I hope that all of you out there now, who are going through the toughest of times with your veteran, will pat yourself on the back. Don’t be afraid to “speak your truth” to a listening ear.

If you can’t find someone to listen, (but I’m sure you will) pour your heart out on a journal page, or even speak into a recorder. There is great POWER in owning your experiences, and acknowledging your personal sacrifices.

Hopefully you will find that Earnest Hemingway’s words “life breaks us all and afterward many are strong at the broken places” apply to you.

Today I know that has been true for me. Even with all the heartache, drama, and trauma, I take great pride in having been a spouse of a war veteran.

I wish all of you well on your personal journeys. Speak your truth and Keep the faith…

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By Charlene Rubush, June 20, 2012 10:28 pm

I love to pass on information about all the excellent websites aimed at helping our combat vets and their loved ones. On www.ptsdsupport.net you will find just about every aspect of PTSD covered.

They define PTSD this way:

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as currently defined, is caused by an overwhelming event outside the range of ordinary human experience, such as combat, a natural disaster, or a physical assault.

Here is just a sampling of what they offer:

Support Groups for:

• PTSD
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Chronic Pain
• Drugs
• Grief
• Female combat vets
• Morphine abuse
• Stress

Other topics available are:

• Combat PTSD
• Combat Stress Control
• Compassion Fatigue
• Deployment Support
• PTSD Symptoms
• PTSD Diagnosis
• PTSD Treatments
• Misdiagnosis of PTSD

This site also offers PTSD Links, as well as personal stories by soldiers who are winning the PTSD battle. Check it out. You’ll be glad you did.

http://www.ptsdsupport.net

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By Charlene Rubush, September 20, 2011 1:55 pm

I love it when I read articles like the one I stumbled across today. Kristine Gill reports from The Naples News in Florida, of a recent fishing tournament honoring veterans.

Take a Veteran Fishing Tournament took place on Saturday, at Calusa Island Marina in Goodland, Florida. Troy Pruitt, a competitive fisherman has participated in tournaments all along Southwest Florida, as well as The Keys But for the Naples native, no tournament has been as emotional as this event. “I get choked up thinking about it,” said the 38-year-old, who accompanied two Army veterans for a day of fishing at Goodland Bay. “There’s so much emotion. Win or lose it doesn’t matter. What these guys do for us is amazing, defending our country and our freedom.”

About 100 combat veterans from MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa fished on Saturday, in an event celebrating the efforts of area veterans in recent wars.

Pruitt’s boat of Army men won, catching the four-fish limit for a total of 17.96 pounds.

Mike Wieczorek, 46, a New York native stationed in Tampa, served in Afghanistan last summer. He said, “It’s awesome. Winning is great.”

Money raised through a raffle and auction this year will be donated to the Wounded Warriors Project, which helps injured veterans across the country. In its first year, 40 veterans showed for fishing and food at the marina.

Mark Finger, 62, said of the event. “I think it’s great. We didn’t have anything like this when I came home from Vietnam.”

To read the complete article:

http://naplesnews.com/news/2011/sep24/take-a-veteran-fishing-goodland-soldiers/?

Note:

News like this just thrills my heart. I can only look back and imagine how the public’s acceptance and respect might have helped our Vietnam vets when they came home. So glad to know things are changing for the better in that regard. Better late than never.

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By Charlene Rubush, August 16, 2010 4:36 pm

For over 40 years now, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has been a major problem for many Vietnam veterans. It’s one of the main conditions treated by the VA. It’s said to be one of the major causes of divorce for Vietnam veterans. And, if some of the suicide statistics are true (and there’s room for argument on both sides), PTSD is a major cause of suicide among Vietnam veterans.

VietNow is very fortunate that two compassionate PTSD experts – experienced counselor Mary Tendall and her associate Jan Fishler – have shared their expertise with us in the form of a great series of articles with ideas on how to deal with PTSD.

In the history of the VietNow National Magazine nothing has come close to the response to these articles. These articles have not only touched a nerve, but have also provided a healing touch.

Since it’s obvious that PTSD won’t be going away any time soon, and because it sometimes seems that the problem is getting bigger rather than smaller – and because there are differences of opinion on the topic – we have published lots of articles, stories, and poems related to this painful topic.

We hope something you’ll read here with touch you in a good way, and we hope that if you need help with your ghosts, maybe something here will point you (or someone close to you) in the direction of help.

If you have questions or comments about your PTSD-related problems, Jan and Mary have kindly made themselves available to help. They assure your confidentiality and invite you to e-mail them directly at:
Jan Fishler: jan@tincatmedia.com
Mary Tendall: maryten@jps.net

Some of the article titles are:

Featured PTSD Articles by Jan and Mary – and other writers.

Getting Through the Rough Times
There are ways to help the PTSD sufferer through the physical and emotional pain, but you also have to take care of yourself during the process.

Living With Guilt and Shame
Guilt and shame are deep and often debilitating emotions that can haunt individuals for years. Exploring the origin and impact of guilt and shame from the perspective of combat veterans and family members.

http://www.vietnow.com

Charlene Rubush’s Note:

VietNow is an awesome organization which is committed to helping all veterans and their families. Much of what we now know about PTSD has come from the study of Nam vets and their families.

Please visit their website and learn all about them. I’ve gained a lot from my membership with them. Their magazine is phenomenal, and they’ve been  working hard for many years, to better veterans lives.