Statistics of War and Trauma

July 18, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Statistics are unfortunate things — rarely offering relief, too often instead demanding tragedy. Numbers are assigned to life and the result is a proof of failure: with the population defined by their symptoms.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (typically named PTSD) is no exception to this. Anxiety shapes this disease, with extreme emotional disturbance plaguing those who have it. A scattering of its symptoms include: intrusive memories, a sense of hopeless, lack of focus, guilt, anger and exhaustion. These feelings are pervasive, unable to be dismissed with mere time. And the percentages offered to them are disheartening — especially within the military.

As of 2011 there are dramatic increases among soldiers regarding this disease, and they must be acknowledged. This is the only way to combat them.

It’s estimated that 19 percent of soldiers experience PTSD in its most aggressive form (with the majority of these being female). 70 percent of all soldiers, however, show signs of the disease — especially after continuous combat. Over half of these individuals are also female. Five percent of the entire American population is burdened with Post-Traumatic Stress; and this number increases due to the impact of families, friends and beyond.

These percentages are distressing. They must not, however, be ignored because of that. Soldiers suffer from this illness. They therefore deserve help. Choosing to dismiss the statistics won’t offer any relief — for them or their loved ones. Instead these facts must be understood by all and used to create better treatments.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder exists. The proof is in the numbers.

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Helping Bring A Loved one Back from Deployment

March 28, 2011 By Leave a Comment

When your loved one comes back from deployment it might be tempting to want to spend every moment with them and monopolize their time. However, this might not be the best solution for your loved one. It is important to make sure that those that return from deployment are reintegrated into the family and daily situations naturally.

Here is a look at how to integrate your loved one healthily back into the family.

Family Time. It is important to make sure that your loved one has enough time with everyone in the family. It is recommended that they get one on one time with everything from family members to close friends as this will allow them to reconnect with each other.

Interaction with Others. Try to encourage your loved one to interact with others as they come back. This can be a community event they loved to go to, church service or even with other friends they weren’t close to. This will allow them to feel as if they are a part of something.

Take Time to Learn Communication. Your loved one has had to deal with a different style of communicating during their deployment. It is important to know that they may need to re-learn how to communicate with others out of the setting. Try not to get frustrated with them if they seem to have trouble with this.

Ask if They are Okay. It is okay to ask your loved one about the war or even how they are feeling and doing back. Try not to press the issue but some members like to talk about what happened while others like to avoid it. Make sure you follow your loved one’s lead for this.

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Ways to Cope With Deployment

March 24, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Deployment is every military family’s worst fear. This will take a loved one away to a stressful situation and cause those that are around them to have to pick up the pieces. Deployment periods are filled with stress, anxiety and depression. If there are children involved this can be extremely hard.

Luckily, there are a few things you can do to help make the deployment a little easier. Here are some tips for those who are facing a family member leaving for deployment.

Remind Yourself They Are Safe. It is important to remind yourself that even though there are media stories all about the deaths of those overseas a large majority of those deployed are not injured or harmed.

Develop routines. It is important to start developing routines that you will stick to when your loved one is deployed. Familiar routines are viewed as comforting and can help with the transition period.

Devote Time to Fun. Many people believe that because someone they loved is deployed they shouldn’t have any fun or experience anything good. This is not the case. Try to engage in hobbies and activities that you enjoy as this can help ease the situation and emotions that are high during this time.

Talk to Each Other. In the moments before the deployment it is important that you keep talking to one another. Being able to voice your opinions, frustrations and feelings can help those in this situation learn to cope with the deployment when it actually happens.

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PTSD in Children With Parents at War

February 23, 2011 By Leave a Comment

There is a lot of focus in the media and the medical profession on how the war and deployment might affect soldiers and the community. However, there is not a lot of focus on the youngest victims of the war and deployment, the children.

It might be hard to believe but children who have parents who go off to war will often exhibit signs of posttraumatic stress disorder. While the soldier’s posttraumatic stress disorder is brought about from traumatic events that happen during war or while away at war, the child’s traumatic event is that of the parent going away and leaving them for six to 18 months.

When children suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder the symptoms can often times be the same as adults. They might avoid talking about their parent who is away on deployment, they might avoid any talk of the war or they might act as if the parent is just away at the store. In younger children the symptoms can range from temper tantrums to starting to wet the bed at night. Children that are in middle school or elementary school will often start to act out in class or make up problems in an effort to get attention from another parent or the teachers.

The symptoms that the child suffers from are directly related to their age and experiences that they have had in life. The older the child the more the symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder are similar to those of adults and less like children’s. Despite the fact that there are many different symptoms all children no matter what their age will experience feelings of anxiety, depression and extreme stress. It is important to notice the signs and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder in children so that they can get the help that they need to cope with the events.

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Pet Perks: A Dog or Cat can Curb Loneliness and Make You Healthier

January 4, 2011 By Leave a Comment
cat and dry food

Image via Wikipedia

Pet Perks: A Dog or Cat can Curb Loneliness and Make You Healthier

Separation from a loved one during training or deployment can bring intense feelings of loneliness for those left behind. Of course there are intermittent phone calls, some letters or emails and perhaps a videoconference now and then. But what about the long hours in between?

How about getting a four-legged friend?

When trained, nurtured and socialized correctly, a dog or cat can be a delightful companion that can actually improve your health and well-being. Pets can lower your blood pressure, relieve stress and anxiety, boost your immune system, make you laugh and get you moving. Who can resist a pooch whining for his daily walk? How can you feel lonely with a sleek cat sitting beside you gazing directly into your eyes and purring sweetly?

Although it’s no replacement for human touch, cuddling an animal can release the same “feel good” chemicals in our brain that have pleasurable and calming effects. Animals also can help us to be more social with others. Imagine walking your dog around the neighborhood or local park – of course people will smile and comment on your furry friend, ask questions and want to pat it.

For all the rewards a pet brings, they depend on their owners for their safety, food, shelter and medical care. Here are some tips for the responsible animal lover:
• Choose a pet that matches your personality and lifestyle.
• Make sure your pet wears a tag or has an implanted ID chip.
• Feed your animal high quality, nutritious food. Cheap food may not be nutritionally complete, and may even cause health problems.
• Take your pet to the veterinarian at least once a year and keep shots and tests up to date. For dogs, be sure to give heartworm prevention medicine year round.
• Enroll in a training class so you and your companion can learn good behaviors together.
• Spend quality time with your pet every day.

Filed Under: Family Support Tagged With: , , ,

Military Grief Support Keeps Survivors Healthy

December 25, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Since the beginning of the war in Iraq, the United States Military has come to recognize that military grief support keeps survivors healthy. One of the inevitable and tragic outcomes of war is the death of soldiers and civilians. Previously the military simply delivered the bad news to the widow and gave her a large check to help compensate for the loss of income.

Most of these young women had no real emotional support for themselves or their children. They also had no idea how to manage a lump some of money. That sudden income often disappeared as fast at it arrived.

In 2007, a military mother began a program that helped support the survivors of a military death. Through diligent interaction with the Pentagon, she was able to form programs like Operation Render Comfort in Texas. Hospices in the state helped run the program, so experts in grief were available to support surviving spouses and their children.

What the hospice industry understands better than the military is that people need good grief support in order to be healthy survivors. The emotional stress of death can overwhelm anyone, but a young mother is especially vulnerable. During the Operation Render Comfort programs, organizers learned from these young widows that they had no one who really understood their situation. They were usually directed to a church grief support program that really didn’t get it.

Through specialized grief programs that focus on the military, these survivors found themselves surrounded by other widows who really did get it. The children had the same experience. Suddenly, these families were healing in an environment created just for them.

Therefore, if you find yourself in the terrible situation of being a widow, start with your local hospice for grief support resources. They can help you find a group that specializes in military grief. In fact, they may offer this kind of program themselves.

Filed Under: Family Support Tagged With: , ,

How to Have a Healthy Military Marriage

December 24, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Separation is inevitable if you are married to someone in the military. This is especially common early in the military career, so here are some tips on how to have a healthy military marriage.

Communicate Regularly

Make sure that you communicate with your spouse on a regular basis. However, don’t expect the deployed partner to always reply to letters quickly. Remember that he may be somewhere that doesn’t afford him the opportunity to write. Although email, phone calls and letters are good, make sure you send pictures of the kids, current newspaper clippings, and pictures of day to day life, like washing the car.

Don’t hide problems from each other. Your partner knows that things go wrong, so don’t try to pretend you’ve got it under control when you don’t. Even though you are separated, you still took the vow “for better or for worse.”

Homecoming Tips

Most importantly, don’t expect things to be the same as they were before your partner was deployed. A healthy military marriage acknowledges that both partners have changed during the separation. The soldier has seen traumatic and unpleasant events. The partner at home may be stressed from having to do it all. Accept this and take it slow. Don’t try to make up for lost time super fast.

Take time to become re-acquainted. Know that you will both be different. Talk about your experiences. Take it slow with your intimate relationship. It may feel awkward at first. Let go of day dreams. It probably won’t be like you imagined.

Children

Sometimes the homecoming is hard for kids, so be reassuring with them. Set aside time for them. Plan family activities, but be flexible. Remember, they may feel strange in this situation. They may understand that the whole family being together is temporary. Try not to take control.

Most importantly, continue to communicate as you readjust to being a family.

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Are you Ready for Assisted Living?

December 21, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Is your health beginning to suffer because of an accident, an injury or because you are getting a little long in the tooth? Well, that is no reason to despair. While the notion that you might need professional help to do the normal things in life is far from pleasant, it is definitely possible to live in some measure of comfort and dignity. In this day and age, living in a nursing home is not as bad as many people think it is. However, there are some questions you’ll want to ask first.

Is the condition serious enough that it requires an assisted living facility?  Sometimes the condition is a tragic illness and sometimes it’s simply the natural results of old age.  In either case, there is one simple indicator that will tell you if the situation is right for you.  If you are unable to complete standard tasks like cooking your own food or maintaining a full house, assisted living provides an excellent stepping stone.

Once you’ve asked this important question, be sure that you also ask yourself if this assisted living facility is accessible to the people who might come to see you.  In the case of the people who care enough to come and visit you on a regular basis, you might as well make it as easy for them as you possibly can. Most people who live in a nursing home feel somewhat isolated, as the people they see 99% of the time are just the other residents and the staff.  Additionally, question whether the staff is friendly and knowledgeable enough to be able to help you.  Some facilities are a lot like military barracks — things are extremely structured, privacy is practically non-existent, and the accommodations put a whole new shine on the term “spartan.” Other facilities, on the other hand, are a little bit like summer camp.

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Pet Perks: A Dog or Cat can Curb Loneliness and Make You Healthier

December 17, 2010 By Leave a Comment
cat and dry food
Image via Wikipedia

Pet Perks: A Dog or Cat can Curb Loneliness and Make You Healthier

Separation from a loved one during training or deployment can bring intense feelings of loneliness for those left behind. Of course there are intermittent phone calls, some letters or emails and perhaps a videoconference now and then. But what about the long hours in between?

How about getting a four-legged friend?

When trained, nurtured and socialized correctly, a dog or cat can be a delightful companion that can actually improve your health and well-being. Pets can lower your blood pressure, relieve stress and anxiety, boost your immune system, make you laugh and get you moving. Who can resist a pooch whining for his daily walk? How can you feel lonely with a sleek cat sitting beside you gazing directly into your eyes and purring sweetly?

Although it’s no replacement for human touch, cuddling an animal can release the same “feel good” chemicals in our brain that have pleasurable and calming effects. Animals also can help us to be more social with others. Imagine walking your dog around the neighborhood or local park – of course people will smile and comment on your furry friend, ask questions and want to pat it.

For all the rewards a pet brings, they depend on their owners for their safety, food, shelter and medical care. Here are some tips for the responsible animal lover:
• Choose a pet that matches your personality and lifestyle.
• Make sure your pet wears a tag or has an implanted ID chip.
• Feed your animal high quality, nutritious food. Cheap food may not be nutritionally complete, and may even cause health problems.
• Take your pet to the veterinarian at least once a year and keep shots and tests up to date. For dogs, be sure to give heartworm prevention medicine year round.
• Enroll in a training class so you and your companion can learn good behaviors together.
• Spend quality time with your pet every day.

Filed Under: Family Support Tagged With: , , , , ,

Excitement for Mommies

December 14, 2010 By Leave a Comment
The "BOOKIE'S BETTING RING" at the &...
Image via Wikipedia

Though a mother can never be bored of watching her child grow into a beautiful person, she can definitely experience a lot of monotony in life. Her duties can take a lot out of her and can make her life quite monotonous if she doesn’t mix them well. Thus, it is only normal for a mother to feel tired and jaded after a hard day’s work. But with a few extracurricular activities, she can ensure that her life becomes interesting and exciting.

Not a favorite with mothers, but the art of betting is all the rage this season. It is a risky thing to indulge in but it helps bring a lot of excitement in life. Mothers can either look up sports betting sites for reference or check out the casinos to play some money on their favorite games. If kept in check, this activity can work to freshen the mind and enhance the player’s knowledge of the game and, consequently, win it.

Besides betting, mothers can also mark out a day every two weeks for themselves. On these days, they could plan a fun evening with friends without worrying about husband and kids or simply go on an impromptu holiday to experience a change in the environment.

For those mothers who feel that their lives would be more exciting had they had chosen to do something instead of getting married and having kids, now would be the time to take that chance and see how things would pan out.

Implementing such strategies can be difficult for working mothers but it won’t be impossible. Though they will have to master the art of time management, they will also have to be ready to drop everything on the last second to attend to family or office emergencies. However, if they are determined and strong about their decisions, there won’t be anything to stop them.

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