The Latest from Cactus Tactical: June is PTSD Awareness Month

Spotlight On Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Veterans

June is PTSD Awareness month, so we felt we should address this issue as it has become very prevalent. Statistics show that we lose 22 veterans every day, this is 22 too many. Our soldiers return home with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and it's life altering side effects all day, every day. It's up to us to assist these warriors make the transition from battle to being able to function despite this debilitating epidemic.

To start, let's briefly explore what PTSD can mean. Symptoms include feeling "on edge", chronic nightmares, an adverse reaction to sudden or loud noises, sleeplessness, easily irritated, you become more withdrawn. If any of these sound familiar, you could be dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. These symptoms will often appear after severe trauma or life-threatening events and have been referred to as shell shock or combat stress. One would have possibly felt like their lives or the lives of others were in danger and that one wouldn't be able to control what was happening around them. A soldier could've witnessed people being injured or dying, or they may have personally endured physical harm. Sometimes these symptoms don't appear until months or even years after the traumatic event or returning from deployment.

If you or a loved one are a Vet trying to cope with PTSD, there is hope. Recently, researchers from all over the world have dramatically increased the understanding of what causes PTSD and how it can be treated.Two types of treatment have been shown to be effective for dealing with this issue as of now: counseling and medication. Professional counseling can help with understanding thoughts and discover ways to cope with feelings. Medications, called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, are used to help one feel less worried or sad.

In just a few months, these treatments can produce positive and meaningful changes in symptoms and quality of life. They can help those who suffer to understand and change how they think about their trauma—and how one can change how they react to stressful memories. One Vet was cited as saying “In therapy I learned how to respond differently to the thoughts that used to get stuck in my head."
In addition to getting treatment, those dealing with PTSD can adjust their lifestyle to help relieve some of these daunting symptoms. For example, talking with other Veterans who have experienced trauma can help them connect with and trust others, exercising can help reduce physical tension, and volunteering can help you or your loved one reconnect with your community. It's also important to let friends and family know when certain places or activities make someone uncomfortable.

For those coping with PTSD the road can be a difficult one, but with the help of friends, family and some innovative solutions to these problems, it can be done. There are several charities that offer to help Vets these mental health issues by offering service animals to assist in dealing with these issues.

One such organization is K9's for Warriors and they offer veterans a three-week in-house program to meet and learn how to work with their dogs. The K9's for Warriors facility has graduated 83 veterans and dogs, mostly dogs from shelters,executive director Shari Duval stated. "The dog is literally a prescription on four legs," Duval has said. When retired US Army Staff Sergeant Justin Madore has nightmares, his dog Cody is there to wake him up. The training cost of $10,000 for each veteran-dog team is paid for by private donations. Madore, had served in Iraq and Afghanistan and currently resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, said PTSD had kept him housebound for five years."Now I can go to the store on my own. I can go and pick up my kids from school and take my daughter to gymnastics," Madore said. "It's all due to Cody." These service animals seem to be a key to helping overcome the trauma as well as ease the anxiety of the Vet.

There is hope for all those who suffer from PTSD. I've included some resources and links for charities at the bottom. Thank you for taking a moment to read about this matter and thank you to all the brave souls who have fought and continue to fight for our country.

For more on the history of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder the following is a great article: http://www.military1.com/army/article/405058-a-brief-history-of-ptsd-the-evolution-of-our-understanding

Resources On PTSD:

Vet Centers
If you are a combat Veteran or experienced any sexual trauma during your military service, bring your DD214 to your local Vet Center and speak with a counselor or therapist—many of whom are Veterans themselves—for free, without an appointment, and regardless of your enrollment status with VA.
http://www2.va.gov/directory/guide/vetcenter_flsh.asp

Understanding PTSD Booklet
This eight-page booklet explains what PTSD is, provides information and resources on support, and shares real stories from people who have dealt effectively with PTSD.
http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/understanding_ptsd/booklet.pdf

Understanding PTSD Treatment
This eight-page booklet explains in detail the various proven ways to treat PTSD and debunks some myths about treatment.
http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/understanding_TX/booklet.pdf

National Center for PTSD
Explore this comprehensive website for detailed information about PTSD, its effects and treatment, and resources for support.
www.ptsd.va.gov/public/index.asp

VA’s PTSD Program Locator
This site will allow you to search for PTSD programs located near you. If you are eligible to receive care through the Veterans Health Administration, you can enroll in one of VA’s PTSD treatment programs.
http://www2.va.gov/directory/guide/ptsd_flsh.asp

These two charities give back directly to our wounded vets, please go check out their pages and websites and see what you can do to give back to those who have sacrificed so much for our country.

https://www.facebook.com/wwp/app_203351739677351

https://www.facebook.com/GarySiniseFoundation

For more on K9's for Warriors this is their page: https://www.facebook.com/K9sforWarriors?fref=ts