PTSD Forum Intro - Iraq Veteran

[Mark Dust]

Hello forum members,

A quick introduction to get this ball rolling. I've had PTSD since my deployment to Iraq in 2005. I didn't do anything about it till I was medically discharged for chronic achilles tendonitis in 2007. I started going to the VA and eventually found Prozac to be of some help in controlling my PTSD symptoms. I was lucky enough a year and half ago to take a class in my MBA program that taught me how the brain and body responds to stress and my PTSD started to all make sense. I have since developed a practice of meditation and somatic therapy which has helped tremedously in my struggle to manage the symptoms of PTSD. I am now applying to Ph.D programs to further my research on PTSD and how to possibly prevent traumatic events from causing PTSD. Once I get enough posts on here I will start putting up my blog posts on this forum, but for the time being you can read them at www.ramblingsontrauma.com and follow me on twitter @mdust. I'm looking forward to discussing PTSD and everyting that goes along with it with everyone on this fourm.

Regards,

Mark Dust

 

[anthony]

Hi Mark, welcome to the forum. I fixed up the link you posted which went live. The rules and FAQ section contains info on how to post links without them going live.

 

[amethist]

Hi Mark

Welcome to a place of understanding, support and loads of other info as you need it.

Good to see others using alternative therapies to help with PTSD, pity it is not suggested more widely. In time maybe it will be used more and the advantages shown to be successful when used along with standard treatment and medication.

I will take a look at the web site myself, will probably learn something new from it.

Amethist

 

[guenhwyvar]

Welcome Mark, and thank you for your post. I'm glad to see you are applying to PhD programs - I'm a huge fan of science, and am always happy to see people furthering themselves in this regard. I'd be interested in learning more about whatever kinds of meditation have been helpful for you.

Guenhwyvar

 

[Lonewolf87]

Mark, welcome aboard and allow me to thank you for your service! Hope you find some good information here.

 

[Nishkaa]

Hi Mark,

I'm looking forward to hearing more from you!

I'm interested in that as well, re: PTSD physiology, brain and the promise of meditation. I don't have access to somatic therapies, but I've dabbled in some yoga. I took an MBSR program (founded by Joh Kabat Zinn, among others) and there are so many useful things I've gotten out of that, that I'm dabbling with, continuing to experiment with. Even the 'attitudes', patience, "acceptance with what is there", and re-directing focus back on the breath, I think teaches me that I can have some focus, to draw back to the 'now'. I've been doing it all wrong, for a long time. The corrective, getting back on track strategies, I've found through that awesome peice of work, it's still perculating in me, but there is more I need to do to formalize my practice. Routines are still challenging for me, for where I'm at. It's going to take a lot more extra pull from me to get back on track. I'm starting back to a yoga class next week, so I think that will help spring me back.

I'd also be interesting in knowing if you've learnt anything for panic attacks with this. I feel like I can re-stabilize (but still with longer effort), but then I seem to get bit back again. . .? I think my body still needs to learn more about "Letting Go" not holding it, hence why I need to keep at my practice! :)

I'm looking forward to learning more, hearing from your practice and experience of things-- what a great opportunity.

Keep us posted!
Cheers,
~N

 

[Drytears]

I love to exercise and find it so helpful. It truly diminishes my mental ailments. I have tried yoga but it doesnot seem to be my bag. I enjoy solo meditiation. I want energy and aerobic activity when I am around others. It is hard for me to relax in a group exercise situation. I want loud music and lots of movement when I am in a group. I want to feed off their energy and I want them to taste mine. I know that there is a lid for every pot. Yoga is not my lid.

 

[Nishkaa]

Hi Drytears-- that's a smart one too is aerobic activity-- that comes highly recommended (and I find also a good way to release excess anger, as well as the benefit from the endorphins, the happy neurotransmitters-- yeah, I'm a bit of geek with the terminology ;-) ). I'm glas you found a way to be lifted by others energy and vice versa-- that happens for me in a yoga class, but not the gym ;-) I'm okay with a bit of Metallica in my headphones and fast-paced bike ride, on occasion (get a little bit competitive on the bike path :) ). I really like hiking, climb a mountain and as I might be a bit of tree-hugger. . . well. . .:)

Meditation stuff, and light yoga can be helpful for people I think who have had some injuries, even chronic pain (even without legs-- it's really amazing-- you use what you got). The "abdominal breathing" technique, can be done just sitting in a chair, but it's a great way to get oxygen going-- it can actually be a cheap 'rush' :) Getting up with oxygen!

I like your honesty and your convictions of knowing what works good for you :)
Cheers,
~N

 

[parkwaytrash]

welcome. i am new here also and looking for support. i am ex-military from the 1st gulf war. hope the best for you!

 

[JV811]

Hello MArk, so glad to hear about all the research you've done that may be able to save others dealing with PTSD...welcome.

 

[JV811]

hope you can find the help you need. this is a very important subject to me, my ex-husband has severe PTSD and now my current friend is suffering from it too and I'm trying to understand it all and help him too.

 

[Mark Dust]

Whoops, sorry about that, I never have been active on a forum before, sorry for the rules infraction.