I wonder if I can pick everyone's brain on something I've been pondering....
My vet does NOT have any of the following symptoms:
- flashbacks/nightmares
- fear
- hyper-vigilence
He also doesn't seem to be particularly bothered/traumatised by stuff he's seen or done and can talk quite matter-of-factly about it (though, I appreciate, he might be keeping it hidden)
He DOES, on the other hand, have severe anger issues and seems frustrated with life on civvy street. I'd say he's definitely depressed.
Now obviously I'm not in a position to question medical professionals, but he hasn't actually met a therapist yet, his first appointment isn't until February. So this is still early days. He got 'diagnosed' in October, following a 30 minute phone call to Combat Stress. Is that pretty much the extent of the assessment process?? If you answer yes to most of the following symptoms, then you've got PTSD?? Seems a bit superficial to me.
Anyway, my point is this:
It's been shown that sufferers of PTSD whose trauma was caused by war/combat respond less well to treatment than sufferers who are survivors of sexual assault or domestic abuse, say. I know this is a generalisation, but it really interests me why this might be the case.
How many of you out there, like my vet, DON'T suffer with flashbacks, nightmares, fear of certain noises, anxiety and hyper-vigilence in crowds??
And of those of you who said you don't suffer these symptoms, how many of you feel like your treatment is going well, is working?? Anyone? Or are you the group of vets who are bringing the success rates down, because the treatment isn't really focusing on the true root of your problems?? Which, in my humble opinion, isn't the trauma you experienced in war, but the anger and frustration you feel about life in the civilian world. Is it less a case of PTSD and more a case of readjustment failure, perhaps? Am I on to something here??
I know is might sound like I'm trying to call a spade a shovel - pretty much the same thing, doesn't matter what name you give it. At the end of the day, you're feeling what you're feeling, doesn't matter what it's called.
And I'm sure therapists are skilled enough to recognise where they need to focus treatment and tailor it to the individual's needs. But what if that's only the few good ones??! What if not everyone gets this deal? This is still a relatively new illness, research is still happening, there are not loads of professionals trained to treat it yet.
What if lots of you are being encouraged to revisit memories, process the trauma, resolve old emotions etc etc, when actually, it's NOT the past that is bothering you, but the PRESENT! The lack of fulfillment you feel, the loss of identity, the difficulty relating to civilians, the dissatisfaction with your job.
Certainly in the case of my vet, I believe these are the big stressors for him. I'm not belittling what he experienced in combat and saying that it's had no effect, but I genuinely believe, if he had a job he enjoyed and felt challenged in, if his skills were valued and appreciated, then he wouldn't be suffering like he is now. And I'm just curious if that might be the case for a lot of you out there??
So that leaves me sceptical as to how effective treatment will be for him. Yes, I'm sure it will help him address issues that need confronting, but will it really resolve the problem of his career?
Trouble is, how DO you resolve that problem?? What will ever provide the same, unique experience of being in the military???? He'd love to go back, but can't because of his back.
I think it's great that the taboo is now being lifted on mental illness and the army are looking to include training to try to prevent and lessen the risk of PTSD. Not sure if that would actually work, but it's a start. But they still seem reluctant to help soldiers at the other end of their careers. When you leave, you've left. The door is firmly shut. Thanks for serving your Queen and country so well, you're rubbish to us now. Goodbye.
More needs to be done to establish careers for veterans, to set up links direct with potential employers, so soldiers leaving are basically guaranteed a new career. You should be supported if you need any extra training, and be given opportunities for top positions that might provide some of stimulation and satisfaction you had in the army. You guys have such incredible skills. Why are they, all too often, not being recognised and put to good use? My vet has had 6 jobs since he was MD-ed 5 years ago. That speaks volumes, eh?
Anyway, think I've waffled on enough. Would be really interested to hear your opinions /personal experiences on this. And if someone wants to bring up this debate on the sister site, mycombatptsd, on my behalf, and then report back here, then I'd be grateful.
My vet does NOT have any of the following symptoms:
- flashbacks/nightmares
- fear
- hyper-vigilence
He also doesn't seem to be particularly bothered/traumatised by stuff he's seen or done and can talk quite matter-of-factly about it (though, I appreciate, he might be keeping it hidden)
He DOES, on the other hand, have severe anger issues and seems frustrated with life on civvy street. I'd say he's definitely depressed.
Now obviously I'm not in a position to question medical professionals, but he hasn't actually met a therapist yet, his first appointment isn't until February. So this is still early days. He got 'diagnosed' in October, following a 30 minute phone call to Combat Stress. Is that pretty much the extent of the assessment process?? If you answer yes to most of the following symptoms, then you've got PTSD?? Seems a bit superficial to me.
Anyway, my point is this:
It's been shown that sufferers of PTSD whose trauma was caused by war/combat respond less well to treatment than sufferers who are survivors of sexual assault or domestic abuse, say. I know this is a generalisation, but it really interests me why this might be the case.
How many of you out there, like my vet, DON'T suffer with flashbacks, nightmares, fear of certain noises, anxiety and hyper-vigilence in crowds??
And of those of you who said you don't suffer these symptoms, how many of you feel like your treatment is going well, is working?? Anyone? Or are you the group of vets who are bringing the success rates down, because the treatment isn't really focusing on the true root of your problems?? Which, in my humble opinion, isn't the trauma you experienced in war, but the anger and frustration you feel about life in the civilian world. Is it less a case of PTSD and more a case of readjustment failure, perhaps? Am I on to something here??
I know is might sound like I'm trying to call a spade a shovel - pretty much the same thing, doesn't matter what name you give it. At the end of the day, you're feeling what you're feeling, doesn't matter what it's called.
And I'm sure therapists are skilled enough to recognise where they need to focus treatment and tailor it to the individual's needs. But what if that's only the few good ones??! What if not everyone gets this deal? This is still a relatively new illness, research is still happening, there are not loads of professionals trained to treat it yet.
What if lots of you are being encouraged to revisit memories, process the trauma, resolve old emotions etc etc, when actually, it's NOT the past that is bothering you, but the PRESENT! The lack of fulfillment you feel, the loss of identity, the difficulty relating to civilians, the dissatisfaction with your job.
Certainly in the case of my vet, I believe these are the big stressors for him. I'm not belittling what he experienced in combat and saying that it's had no effect, but I genuinely believe, if he had a job he enjoyed and felt challenged in, if his skills were valued and appreciated, then he wouldn't be suffering like he is now. And I'm just curious if that might be the case for a lot of you out there??
So that leaves me sceptical as to how effective treatment will be for him. Yes, I'm sure it will help him address issues that need confronting, but will it really resolve the problem of his career?
Trouble is, how DO you resolve that problem?? What will ever provide the same, unique experience of being in the military???? He'd love to go back, but can't because of his back.
I think it's great that the taboo is now being lifted on mental illness and the army are looking to include training to try to prevent and lessen the risk of PTSD. Not sure if that would actually work, but it's a start. But they still seem reluctant to help soldiers at the other end of their careers. When you leave, you've left. The door is firmly shut. Thanks for serving your Queen and country so well, you're rubbish to us now. Goodbye.
More needs to be done to establish careers for veterans, to set up links direct with potential employers, so soldiers leaving are basically guaranteed a new career. You should be supported if you need any extra training, and be given opportunities for top positions that might provide some of stimulation and satisfaction you had in the army. You guys have such incredible skills. Why are they, all too often, not being recognised and put to good use? My vet has had 6 jobs since he was MD-ed 5 years ago. That speaks volumes, eh?
Anyway, think I've waffled on enough. Would be really interested to hear your opinions /personal experiences on this. And if someone wants to bring up this debate on the sister site, mycombatptsd, on my behalf, and then report back here, then I'd be grateful.