News Article About Combat Ptsd, Finding Ability To Love Again

[hangingon]

I read this article today and it gave me great hope. Thought I would share it for combat vets & supporters. It's probably applicable to anyone suffering with PTSD

http://www.veteranstoday.com/2013/1...ost-traumatic-heart-disorder-only-love-heals/

 

[joeylittle]

I dunno...I think that spiritual catharsis can be a very powerful event for people, but it's hard for me (personally) to accept. I'm not a combat vet, so cannot have much more of an opinion on what he's talking about.

Love would not heal my PTSD, I know that. If I believed in anything resembling a higher power or order in the universe (like this 'unified field' theory the author has conjured up), I don't doubt that aspects of my recovery would be less of a struggle. There's data on faith and crisis recovery in general, having something to believe in does help people.

But it strikes me as irresponsible to be selling pseudo-science, the way I think the author is.

That's just my 2 cents. Curious to hear others thoughts.

 

[Suzetig]

I'm with you @joeylittle. I do have a faith which means a lot to me but even with that I struggle, a lot. Love in and of itself isn't going to heal me either, too much damage was done to me in relationships which should have been loving and safe, I don't trust love however it's dressed up. I do need a safe, secure, robust therapeutic relationship, with someone who can help me process the feelings of shame, and terror, and rage that my trauma has left me with. I need to know how to keep myself grounded and to feel safe in my own skin, which is a feeling I don't even recognise because of early childhood trauma.

It feels very irresponsible to suggest that all you need is love.

 

[hangingon]

He did not claim that love heals PTSD. The idea is being open to love and loving yourself decreases the symptoms of PTSD