Comments (0)

By Charlene Rubush, March 17, 2011 4:31 pm

We’ve come a long way in this country, since the days when many mental illnesses went unrecognized, or someone who was suffering from a mental illness was labeled crazy and therefore, often shunned.

While we now have much better knowledge of mental illnesses, we still have a long way to go. I know how hard it has been for me to share with friends, and even family, that I have been on antidepressants for many years. It’s been hard to admit too, how much I’ve suffered with my own case of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

The funny thing is, once you get to talking to people nowadays, it’s amazing how many people are in the same boat. So I’m going to keep sharing my experience, as I inevitably, end up learning a lot from others.

Fortunately, there are many great organizations working to educate the public on the mental health of all Americans. Mental Health America is one of those organizations committed to improving the mental health of all Americans, especially the 54 million individuals with mental disorders, through advocacy, education, research and service.

Mental Health America was established in 1909 by former psychiatric patient Clifford W. Beers. During his stays in public and private institutions, Beers witnessed and was subjected to horrible abuse. From these experiences, Beers set into motion a reform movement that took shape as Mental Health America.

Their work has resulted in positive change. They have educated millions about mental illnesses and have reduced barriers to treatment and services. As a result of Mental Health America’s efforts, many Americans with mental disorders have sought care and are now enjoy fulfilling, productive lives in their communities. Hallelujah!

Plus, if you are interested in the psychology/mental health field, they offer career and intern opportunities. You can also subscribe to their free newsletter and read their blog. They are a great resource.

http://www.nmha.org

Comments (0)

By Charlene Rubush, October 18, 2010 2:32 pm

I’ve just finished reading the free 4-page brochure on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder that ADAA has available on their website. It explains the difference between normal anxiety following a traumatic event, and PTSD.

It provides other info as well, on treatments for PTSD. There is also an excellent PTSD Self-Test.

The Anxiety Disorders of America (ADAA) website has information on all the different types of anxiety disorders, such as obsessive compulsive disorder, social anxiety disorder (SAD) and specific phobias.

Check out their website and downlaod the free brochure at:

http://www.adaa.org

Comments (0)

By Charlene Rubush, July 5, 2010 2:18 pm

A survey published in the Spring 2010 Combat & Operational Stress Research Quarterly used a sample of 2,543 New Jersey Army National Guard members set to deploy.

Study Type

Pre-deployment self-report survey study

The key findings from the survey are:

•  A standard pre-deployment health assessment of National Guard soldiers set to deploy to  Iraq identified significantly fewer mental health problems in this sample, than did the self-report survey used for this study.
• Additionally, soldiers in this sample who have been previously deployed to combat zones are more than three times as likely to screen positive for PTSD and major depression.
• They are twice as likely to screen positive for alcohol dependence and chronic pain.
• They are more than 90% more likely to score below the general population on physical functioning compared to soldiers with no previous deployments.

Implications

Military readiness may be negatively affected by returning medically impaired soldiers to combat.

Pre-deployment mental health screening measures currently in place may be inadequate for keeping soldiers with mental health problems from being returned to deployment, potentially resulting in a weaker fighting force and higher rates of pathology and injury in troops after subsequent deployments.

(Citations: Effects of repeated deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan on the health of New Jersey ArmyNational Guard troops, American Journal of Public Health).

http://www.med.navy.mil/Spring%202010%Research%20Quart

Charlene’s Note:

Common sense dictates that multiple deployments will take a greater toll on the mental health of combat soldiers.

Are these survey’s going to do anything to stop these multiple deployments? I doubt it.  In my humble opinion, our soldiers and their families are being asked to give too much.

What the answer is, I don’t know. I used to have hope that we could actually find peaceful means to end conflict. But I no longer harbor such youthful illusions. I now understand there are other factors that determine the where and why of wars.

Comments (1)

By Charlene Rubush, March 10, 2010 6:58 pm

While most of the information on PTSD proclaims it to be an anxiety disorder, there seems to be a divergence of opinions on whether it should actually be called an illness or disease. Here are some definitions from various sources:

• PTSD is a real illness. You can get PTSD after living through or seeing a dangerous event, such as war, a hurricane, or bad accident. PTSD makes you feel stressed and afraid after the danger is over. It affects your life and the people around you. (National Institute of Mental Health, NIMH).

• PTSD is an emotional disorder brought about by unresolved trauma, both physical and emotional. (wiki.answers.).

• PTSD is a common anxiety disorder that develops after exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal in which grave physical harm occurred or was threatened. Family members of victims can develop the disorder. (Medicine.net).

• PTSD is a psychiatric disorder that can occur following the experience or witnessing of a life-threatening event such as military combat, natural disasters, terrorist incidents, serious accidents, or physical or sexual assault in adult or childhood. (Nebraska Dept. of Veterans Affairs).

• PTSD is an anxiety disorder NOT a mental disorder or illness. (Lest We Forget-PTSD Family and Military Support Group).

It seems to me that this is all a matter of semantics. According to the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, illness is defined as: Continue reading 'Is PTSD a Real Illness or Disease?'»

Comments (1)

By Charlene Rubush, February 4, 2010 2:01 pm

Probably some of you have already read recent stories of the findings (during Operation Iraqi Freedom) of the benefits of using morphine for military personnel wounded on the battlefield. While the early administration of morphine relieved pain, it’s also been found to help prevent PTSD!

It was observed that troops who received morphine within a few hours of injury, were 50% less likely to develop PTSD, than those who didn’t get it.

This is amazing and hopeful news. In reading an article in the LA Times by Karen Kaplan, I learned that this conclusion was based on findings published in the New England Journal of Medicine. They think that using morphine at the time of injury, can keep a horrifying event from escalating into PTSD, which as too many of us know, can be such a chronic, and incapacitating illness.

Small trials have been done on the use of opiates and other medications, which can disrupt the way the brain encodes traumatic memories, and prevent the incidents from being recorded with too much intensity. Continue reading 'Hope for Preventing PTSD – Using Morphine on the Battlefield'»

Comments (2)

By Charlene Rubush, January 25, 2010 7:39 pm

Read some interesting stuff today, from Matthew Tull, PhD, on About.com. In an article on “The Benefits of Group Therapy for PTSD,” he talks about the benefits of “validation.” He notes that in a group setting, other people with PTSD (or loved ones with PTSD) may be able to recognize and “validate” what you are going through, because they have had similar experiences.

It reminded me of an experience I had, that I believe is worth sharing. Many years after my divorce from my Nam vet, I was still hurting and wondering what I had done wrong in the relationship. Logically, I knew I’d been a loyal partner. But there was still that lingering feeling that I’d failed somehow.

I read about a lecture and workshop that was coming up. Patience Mason, the wife of Robert Mason, who flew helicopters in Nam (and wrote the bestseller, Chickenhawk) was giving a speech about combat-related PTSD. I went to hear her, and heard first-hand, that she knows her stuff. Unfortunately, I only found her book Recovering from the War- A Guide for All Veterans, Family Members. Friends and Therapists, long after my divorce. Continue reading 'Validation and Recognition Helps Heal PTSD'»

Comments (3)

By Charlene Rubush, January 18, 2010 8:41 pm

While recently researching resources for dealing with PTSD, I was amazed by the volume of helping websites, support groups, organizations, literature, etc. My first reaction was sheer joy, and my second reaction was the thought “How my life might have been different, if I’d only known what I’d been dealing with!”

For my heartbreaks and challenges, living with PTSD, started in the mid-60′s. Of course, this was long before the term “PTSD” had been coined. So I floundered around, just trying to live life; doing my best day by day, and yet knowing, deep in my gut, I was living an abnormal life. I tried denying it. Telling myself, “oh, my life is just very interesting, more interesting than most.” Right-o… Continue reading 'Lets Talk About it'»

Comments (3)

By Charlene Rubush, January 15, 2010 12:18 pm

Hello all,

I’ve decided to create this site to increase the focus on wives, sweethearts, husbands, children, families, siblings, friends, bosses, etc. of combat vets, and their unique problems, as they interact with PTSD-affected veterans.

With thousands upon thousands of veterans returning home from Iraq, Afghanistan, and other hotspots around the world, the challenges of readjustment to civilian life are upon us.

I know of where I speak, as I have personal experience with combat-related PTSD. As a former wife of a Vietnam veteran, I lived with PTSD long before it had a name. After serving two tours in the Marine Corps (1966-68) my former husband came home with complex emotional problems. Continue reading 'A Welcome from Charlene'»