Spirituality And Ptsd

[Tinyflame]

I don't know. I would say if spirituality is a positive force in one's life it would be helpful, if traumas have shaken the roots it has to be re-built.

I do not understand spirituality as it relates to people; oftentimes people say they care about others because that's how 'God' (Higher Power, etc) 'would' or would want, but seems to me you either care or you don't. One's reason or motivation may be that, to 'try to', but doubt you'd ever hear anyone say they love their spouse, child etc because they're 'supposed' to- they just (actually) truly do. Talking about it or having genuine vested emotional investment seem to me as different as night and day, and not really spiritual at all, because there are no feelings, if that makes sense.

Yet one can genuinely care for others, and have no spiritual leanings, whatsoever.

But then even family doesn't necessarily love you, so not sure if that's a fact outside of spirituality or if the benefits of spirituality are limited to only your personal thoughts, or the fact of when you live or die, and thoughts of what (may) follow. Which (along with trauma and struggling) undoubtedly comes up a lot with ptsd, so negative or positive it might be, but I would think likely not going to be neutral.

 

[Chondra]

I want to highlight and draw attention to an edit I made of the initial post. I added a link to the Military's "Spiritual Care PTSD Handbook". It is a 90 plus page 1.5 MB PDF document. Due to my reduced cognitive ability, it took me more than 4 days to read, hence the delay in posting.

If you only look at one link, this is the one. It is the current handbook for Military Chaplains on "Best Practices for the Provision of Spiritual Care to Persons with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury".

:tup: Enjoy!

 

[Meadowsweet]

I have been badly burned by people, but not by my higher power.

I relate to this very much.

 

[PTSD sufferer]

Ok, I'll be bold here and say nope, not for me. No religion - I'm an atheist (since I was a child). Spirituality, probably not as I don't really believe in that stuff.

I am probably a humanist, as I believe in morality, I believe in science, I believe in human rights and that 'actions' are what is important. I read philosophy, I learnt to meditate from a Yogi, I occasionally get my tarot cards read for fun, and I have friends of many faiths.

Religion and spirituality are not important to me, just as it doesn't matter which political party I follow, or which country I live in. What is important to me is being a good person and showing that in what I do.

I feel that without God, spirituality becomes too self-focused.

I am going to have to disagree with this Teddy Sue if it was intended as a general statement, and not a personal reflection of how you feel without God in your life.

Sorry Chondra, I can't read the pdfs that you have posted. I really appreciate that you have put a lot of effort into creating this thread and done so much work to provide these documents. I think that's great. But, it's just a little too much for me - its a bit of a double/ triple wammy for me. I know you will understand.

xxoo

 

[Chondra]

Sorry Chondra, I can't read the pdfs that you have posted. ... I know you will understand.

Yes, I do understand. And I really appreciate your post. Thank you!

Oh, my son is a humanist too.:)

 

[Hashi]

What I find good is that I can talk to my new therapist about these things, which is a new situation for me. I did not feel I could talk to my other therapist about it.

I'm now seeing a therapist to talk to specifically about spirituality and meaning relating to trauma, and it makes a big difference to me to talk with someone in such depth about it.

I'd probably describe my beliefs as metaphysical (I relate very much to Carl Jung's and Caroline Myss's views) but they fit the definition here of spirituality. I don't have a concept of a single higher entity, but I believe in a greater power than just us, and part of that is that there are laws to the universe that govern our lives. I often struggle to trust or connect to this greater power, but when I can I feel guided, encouraged and helped.

I don't feel betrayed by a God or doctrine for allowing me to suffer, but I often feel that the way the universe operates, and what I've been asked to deal with, is harsh beyond my understanding.

My beliefs come directly from experience. I've never chosen them, they just seem to have demonstrated themselves to me. Having said that, I think I've been open to seeing and paying attention to them. If I realise that I always seem to hear something when I need to hear it, and I'm brought together with the right therapist at the right time, and other things that help me are there when I need them, I don't dismiss it all as a coincidence. I'm very reflective - I journal a lot - and I do writing from the subconscious. I think that helps me to recognise that there are bigger energies at work than just my mind and emotions. (Which is probably a good thing.)

I never thought anything like this before recovering trauma memories. But I've remembered that at the time I was aware of another kind of presence helping me. And I know I'm helped and guided in healing, even when I don't want that. I think I'm meant to heal, but I've fervently wished I hadn't been given this assignment. I'm only just getting to a point of acceptance that I have.

After my experiences, I don't think I could hope to find any meaning in life if I didn't have these beliefs.

Thanks for this thread, Chondra. It's an interesting topic.

 

[TeddySue]

I am going to have to disagree with this Teddy Sue if it was intended as a general statement, and not a personal reflection of how you feel without God in your life

Everything I write is from a personal reflection on how I feel. I don't think this thread is about telling others what to believe or feel, just how it pertains to each individual life.

 

[Dethuan]

Im not much of a believer, and no amount of scripture can change my mind. But it is my belief that matters of religion shouldnt be debated. As for spirituality..."The future is predetirmined by the personalities that shape it.".

 

[Tinyflame]

Thanks Chondra, I think I read you had said that but somehow my ptsd-head didn't retain it.
But wow, will take me 5 years to read it at this rate. :rolleyes:

Other than up to page 2 did however 'skim' here and there and it's odd how one can relate, yet not a combat vet, wow. I think it will have important or very useful info, just have to get through it. :( Yikes, like eating an elephant. Will have to imagine it's chocolate cake, I guess, will be easier. ;) :)
Thank you however.

 

[Chondra]

What I find good is that I can talk to my new therapist about these things, which is a new situation for me.

I'm now seeing a therapist to talk to specifically about spirituality and meaning relating to trauma, and it makes a big difference to me to talk with someone in such depth about it.

Good to know there are therapists out there willing to assist on the spiritual side. I plan on asking my therapist to look at the "SPiritual Care PTSD Handbook" on Friday. That should get the conversation going.:D

 

[Tinyflame]

I can't imagine leaving that side out (spirituality), if someone feels it's part of who they are or how they see the world.

 

[Chondra]

But wow, will take me 5 years to read it at this rate. :rolleyes:

I hate the Fog I must push through to read. It is an awful lot like "Chemo Brain"

:( Yikes, like eating an elephant. Will have to imagine it's chocolate cake, I guess, will be easier.

Compared to some of the reading I have had lately, this was yummy chocolate cake. It might not be an entire elephant, but is probably a largish hippo. It was filling fare either way.


And yes, I really hope my Therapist understands. If not, I am likely going to be looking for a new T. :whistling: