SgtCyns_New_Beginning
Laughter is the Best Medicine

Posted Sat 10 June 2006 11:08
I have been wondering why there aren't other Mental Illness topics under the Health and Fitness Forums and/or here.

I understand that it is a very sensitive issue; but Mental Illnesses are real, none the less.

IMHO, there is much to be shared by those that are suffering (and have loved ones suffering) from other forms of Metal Illness such as Clinical Depression, Bipolar Disorders, Schizophrenia; as well as the MANY others out there.

The stigma attached to Mental Illness will NOT change or go away if our own members of the military/their families/friends/veterans and others concerned do NOT address and learn about these areas as well.

Any feedback would be appreciated.
Cyn~

Strict Rules
1. No personal attacks.
2. No recommending medicines.
3. No internet diagnosis, unless you are licensed, which if you were, you wouldn't!

Copied and pasted from another forum as per Dave Barker's suggestion.

DoD Works to Further Reduce Military Suicides

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 23, 2006 - Suicide rates within the military are about half those in the general military-aged population, but the Defense Department is reaching out to its members to help further reduce the incidence of suicide within the ranks, a top military doctor said.

The suicide rate for military members during 2005 was 11 per 100,000, Dr. David Tornberg, deputy assistant secretary of defense for clinical and program policy, told American Forces Press Service. That compares to about 19.5 per 100,000, the national average for Americans in the 20- to 44-year age group. And experts say this rate may actually be 40 or 50 percent higher than reported, Tornberg said.

"We have substantially fewer suicides in the services," he said. Yet in-depth investigations into every military death and extensive publicity associated with military suicides often give the American public the opposite impression, he acknowledged.

In fact, the suicide rate within the military has remained "remarkably steady" over the past decade, through peacetime and war, Tornberg said.

And while there's no indication that combat deployments increase the likelihood of suicide, Tornberg said it's clear that they add yet another stressor to the troops.

"There's a precipitating reason for every suicide. And in general, it is a response to some life event that has dire consequences to the individual at the time," Tornberg said. "During high-stress situations such as deployments, relationship, financial and other problems may worsen."

Another contributing factor may be the ready availability of weapons.

DoD has long recognized military service as a high-stress occupation, and offers a full array of programs to help servicemembers cope with that stress. "Ours is high-stress work, and we recognize that and have really robust programs in place for addressing this issue," Tornberg said. "The way we see it, one single loss of life is a problem."

The key is making mental health services more available, removing the stigma often associated with seeking care, and teaching troops to recognize when they or a fellow servicemember may need help.

Each of the services has its own suicide prevention program tailored to its force. But despite subtle differences, all the programs make mental health support and suicide prevention available to servicemembers before, during and after deployment.

Medical screenings that include mental health factors, given before and after deployments, help identify people in distress. During deployments, mental -health-support teams and chaplains provide support. Unit leaders are trained to recognize telltale signs and steer their troops to the services they need.

Servicemembers often form the first line of defense, looking out for each other. When they're concerned that a buddy's in trouble, Tornberg advises the direct approach. "If you see someone undergoing difficulties in this area, ask them if they are considering taking their life and encourage them to seek counseling and assistance," he said.

If that doesn't work, Tornberg urges people to go to their unit leaders, chaplains or mental health professionals with their concerns. "If there's a concern about suicide, we encourage them not to keep that confidential until after the fact," he said.

Much of DoD's suicide-prevention effort is directed at educating servicemembers to recognize when they need help and where to go to get it. "We strive to train our servicemembers about risk factors for suicide and the warning signs and to encourage them to seek help if they're in a stressful situation," Tornberg said.

Troops returning from deployments go through a reintegration process that includes briefings about difficulties they may encounter reentering society and communicating with their families and friends. They receive warnings about the dangers of abusing alcohol, a factor often associated with suicide.

With the wide availability of mental health services, one of DoD's big challenges is getting people to take advantage of them.

Although there's less resistance now than in the past to seeking help, "we can't ignore the fact that broadly in society there's still a stigma associated with mental health concerns and seeking help," Tornberg said. "And we are working actively through our leadership to try to break those barriers down."

Biography:

Dr. David Tornberg
________________________________________________
NOTE: View the original version of this web page on DefenseLINK,
the official website of the U.S. Department of Defense, at
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/May2006/20060523_5209.html.

Sgt_Cyns is great! She is still serving her fellow veterans! This topic was her idea ,to help others, who may well be forgotten.

BTW a Calvin and Hobbs strip was in the first edition of my book "THE COMBAT VETERAN FROM WWII TO THE PRESENT". I had permission to use it in one run of 6,000 books. At the time that is all I thought I would ever need in Ohio.
It showed Calvin asking his Dad who was reading his newspaper "why do adults go to war and kill each other?" His dad just looks at him, for three more frames with a perplexed look.

I will post brief descriptions of some issues to discuss. You may add more, if not I will as time permits.

Bipolar:
Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, a brain disorder that causing unusual shifts in a person's mood, energy, also their ability to function. It is not the normal up and down most everyone experiences, symptoms of bipolar disorder are severe. They often result in damaged relationships, poor vocation or school performance and even suicide. Bipolar disorder can be treated, and people with this illness often lead full and productive lives.

About 5.7 million American adults or about 2.6 percent of the population age 18 and older in any given year, have bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder normally develops in adolescence, or early adulthood. However, many people have their symptoms during childhood, others develop them later in life. Frequently it is not recognized as an illness, and people sometimes suffer for many years before it is properly diagnosed and treated.

Compulsive Obsessive
Compulsive or Obsessions as defined by recurrent and persistent thoughts, impulses, or images that are experienced, at some time during the disturbance, as intrusive and inappropriate and that cause marked anxiety or distress, the thoughts, impulses, or images are not simply excessive worries about real-life problems. The person attempts to ignore or suppress such thoughts, impulses, or images, or to neutralize them with some other thought or action.
The person recognizes that the obsessional thoughts, impulses, or images are a product of his or her own mind and not imposed from without as in thought insertion.

Compulsions as defined by repetitive behaviors such as frequent hand washing, checking over and over; or mental acts as praying constantly, repeating words even silently. The person feels driven to perform in response to the obsession, or according to rules that must be applied rigidly. This allows them to feel they are preventing, or reducing distress or, preventing a dreaded situation; however, these behaviors are not connected in a realistic way with what they are designed to prevent and are clearly excessive.
During the course of the disorder, the person will recognize the obsessions, or compulsions are excessive and/or unreasonable. Note: This does not apply to children.
Obsessions or compulsions causing marked distress are time consuming as they will take more than 1 hour a day, they significantly interfere with the person's normal routine, vocational functioning and usually social activities and relationships.
If another Axis I disorder is present, the content of the obsessions or compulsions is not restricted to it as preoccupation with food in the presence of an Eating Disorder; hair pulling in the presence of Trichotillomania; concern with appearance in the presence of Body Dysmorphic Disorder; preoccupation with drugs in the presence of a Substance Use Disorder; preoccupation with having a serious illness in the presence of Hypochondriasis; preoccupation with sexual urges or fantasies in the presence of a Paraphilia; or guilty ruminations in the presence of Major Depressive Disorder.
The disturbance is not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance such as drug abuse, medication, or a general medical condition.

Here is a good link: Mental Disorders
Encyclopedia Britannica recommended directory of resources regarding mental health
disorders.
http://www.mic.ki.se/Diseases/F03.html

I recently learned a couple of things about Bipolar disorder:

1) It can be triggered by an event, such as childbirth. As I understand, post partum depression can be the 1st Bipolar episode in a woman's life. I learned this after 38 years of asking why my mom killed herself two weeks before my 1st birthday.

2) There is a Bipolar Type 2, where the lows are a prominent feature and the manias more subtle. I know this because I was diagnosed with BiPolar Type 2

3) With Bipolar, Type 1, there is such a monkey called "mixed episodes" where both mania and depression present themselves at the same time, sort of like being irritable but depressed yet impulsive. I learned this because my NP put me on an anti-psychotic that's used to treat mixed states for the benefit of alleviating my severe anxiety. Sometimes medication isn't used for its primary purpose, but I don't know what that's called.

Kevin

Thank you again, Dave...I blushed when I read you accolade to me...

But, back to the topic. I do hope that many will understand that there is NOTHING to be ashamed of having been diagnosed with any Mental Illness...IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT...and WE want to help.

My mother was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder type I; the most severe form of BPD...to the point that she would become delusional and psychotic when NOT on her meds. While my parents were still married, she self-medicated with alcohol and later drugs. It wasn't until several years later did she get diagnosed and the correct medical care that was needed.

Why do I bring this up? Because I myself have been diagnosed with BPD type II; ultra rapid cycling - mixed because of the heredity factor.

I am also a former Airman and Marine; serving honorably and faithfully throughout ALL my active duty military time...as many thousands of Veterans have as well.

Faithfully yours,
Cyn~

Hi Cyn, I see we're on the same train. Our posts were a minute apart and we both have Bipolar 2. Why not come sit next to me? Kevin

Whaddayaknow This topic thread is off and running!
Thanks to Sgt_Cyn and Kevin.

Dave and Kevin - It seems that Courage does not apply to certain topics/issues in one's life.

I knew when I asked about Mental Illness being a topic for discussion, it would hit MANY nerves...the stigma has just been confirmed by the lack of responses here.

If anyone is interested in contacting me OFF the forum about this very delicate subject, they can use my e-mail through my profile.

GOD loves us all, no matter what we are dealing with in our lives; to include Mental Illness. HE made us each unique in HIS image and I for one, rely on HIS love and strength to carry me and my loved ones through the rough times...no matter what "they" entail.

Peace to ALL, every day that YOU awake!
Cyn~

Cyn, I was thinking the same last night, but with a little different perspective. I have never had a problem with saying I have a problem. My mom and her Aunt committed suicide and my maternal grandmother's bipolar was triggered by the death of her only daughter. I'm certain my own bipolar was triggered by my life experiences, among which was the stress of hiding my sexuality in the military and the power people wielded over me by using that knowledge to blackmail, estort and coerce things out of me. For me, the topic hits home. I have never once in my life thought it beyond the realm of possibility that I could one day end up homeless. That insight alone, plus the added, unwanted knack for bringing toxic people into my life, lead me on a long treatment road, which started in 1993.

I'm not sure what makes it a taboo topic for some, but for me it was a real necessity for me to have a different outcome than other family members whose lives ended painfully abruptly. I'm familiar with the pain of losing someone, and the pain of realizing I was dealing with some of the same monsters. I don't see it as a choice. Like being gay. To be healthy for others and yourself, you have to admit your weaknesses and get help. It IS YOUR responsibility, no one elses!

You however have faced your issues and appear to be taking control!
Thanks for sharing with us Kevin.

Note: I will be off line for the next day, or so, as I am going to the State AMVETS Convention.

Thought this might fit here too:

quote:

Originally posted by DaveBarker:
HEY VA! HAVE YOU HEARD? June 20, 2006
The stress of overseas deployment and combat can be a breeding ground for mental health problems, but a negative stigma often keeps military men and women from getting professional help. Now, there's a new way troops can seek help anonymously. The Pentagon has launched a new Web site at https://www.militarymentalhealth.org that allows members of the military and their spouses to screen themselves for mental illness - everything from post traumatic stress syndrome to bipolar disorder. Dr. Stephen Holliday, chief of psychology for the Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital in San Antonio says many of the men and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan are stressed at home and abroad. "Since we're using so many more National Guard and Reserve units, you have the added stress of disrupting job and family, having to relocate. These are folks who may not be used to having a deployment overseas." Several thousand people have already logged on to the new Web site and answered questions about recent behavior and mood swings. If the responses indicate trouble, the Web site suggests options for seeking help by providing a private, low-key way to check out concerns. The idea is that more people may get the help they need. "I think it's a great idea," Holliday said. "These are treatable disorders and the earlier we can start treating them, the better chance we have of helping someone back to health."

Being bipolar II, it is nice to see that I have not been lumped together with other bipolar disorders who are normally shown on TV as killing everyone in sight. There is a third type of bipolar disorder although right now it escapes me.

It has come to light recently that depression often comes before finding out you are diabetic. I find that fascinating since I am diabetic also. The VA found my diabetes was service connected. Now I wonder if they will soon find my bipolar II is service connected.

When I first told my family, it was all "pull yourself up by your bootstraps, you'll be OK." Then others found themselves depressed and suddenly it was OK to take antidepressants and seek therapy. Strange how that goes. Keep this going. It is nice to know how truly normal I am.

I've been having some ups and downs lately. About 10 days ago, I almost checked myself into the hospital for evaluation because I was alone and didn't trust myself. I had accidentally stabbed my hand and it drew a lot of blood. It was quite mesmerizing to have an injury that you can see, and by pointing to it, others notice.

My therapist suggested I see my NP at the VA, who I really like, better than my civilian pdoc, so I'm switching over to her for good. She put me on Geodon for my anxiety. If I'm repeating myself, forgive me. I'm not sure if I posted about this before.

A ton of stress comes from my compensation claim....trying to get service connected for PTSD. I am currently working with 3 people (brother, friend and ex-shipmate) on obtaining "buddy" statements. I can't tell you how many times I've relived trauma in this past year for the sake of this claims process.

I saw my NP again today at the VA, (she's A-1 stuff in my book) and now I'm doubling the dosage of the Geodon. It's an anti-psychotic, amongst other things, among those other reasons is why I'm taking it. I don't have any psychosis. It's supposed to be the big guns in fighting anxiety. It takes a lot of effort to leave my house, or my car...and ironically it also takes a lot of effort to stay home sometimes too, because of the guilt that I'm not getting on well with my life.

To add to that, my DAV rep has gone from ignoring me and my questions sometimes, to all the time. I have sent significant amounts of medical opinion and evidence via the mail and he doesn't respond to my emails from the 14th and the 15th, nor the 12th when I explained to him about my meltdown where I actually went to the hospital but decided not to wait the 12 hours for a bed. That night we decided to see a funny movie instead, and the suicidal feelings passed.

But this issue with my DAV rep persists. I tried for 3 business days to get a hold of his boss, the area supervisor, with whom I finally talked to today. He said he'd call my rep and my rep would call me. That was over 9 hours ago. My rep has never dialed my number in the 3 months we've been working together. I don't know what to do about this and when I don't know what to do, I get really anxious. I did go to the beach the other day for a couple of hours. I found a secluded one, and I took a couple of fast-acting anxiety-busters before leaving the house. And tonight we walked our mini dachshunds on the beach just before sunset. I'll take the good no matter which way I can because the bad is reliable, like a train and always on schedule.

Kevin, I am 100%. I can tell you the hardest thing I had to do was going to my C&P exams. Opening up and telling a complete stranger all the things that happened is very hard to do. I get very good treatment from my doctors and am on several medications that help, but it took a long time to find the right ones that would work together. In reference to your problem with your DAV rep, you are not alone. When I worked for the VARO I encountered that problem with many vets. Have you considered looking into another Service Organization? You can always switch to another one, ie. American Legion. Please hang in there. It is NOT easy, believe me, I know, but eventually things will work out the way they are supposed to. I also take meds just to be able to leave the house

This message has been edited. Last edited by: <Bettina333>,

Thanks for your inspiring words. Thankfully my C&P is behind me, and I'm in capable hands with my health. I still haven't heard from my damn VSO and it's a couple of days since I spoke to his supervisor. I am thinking about switching at this point, but also don't know how it will affect the outcome of my claim. The claims reps punch out at the same time, same place the VSOs do. I think what if my dufus is best friends with (or married to) the Decision Review Officer??? The one time I did have his attention, he did say they spar during the day, but are friends after 5 o'clock. (Actually, he compared their relationship to a cartoon. I sensed trouble when he started breaking things down to a 3rd grade level.)

quote:

The one time I did have his attention, he did say they spar during the day, but are friends after 5 o'clock.

I noticed when I go to Cleveland and it is after 5 O'clock they still give me dirty looks!

quote:

Originally posted by DaveBarker:

quote:

The one time I did have his attention, he did say they spar during the day, but are friends after 5 o'clock.

I noticed when I go to Cleveland and it is after 5 O'clock they still give me dirty looks!

They are intimidated by you. I have read many of your postings. You are well informed and good at what you do. You are one of the few VSOs that I know, who are knowledgeable and take their work seriously. When I was still a VSR, I worked with many VSOs throughout the states and there are many that you just cannot even get on the phone.

My father is a retired Army disabled vet and VSO for many years now and d***** good too. I enjoyed working with many of the VSOs as they truely have the veterans best interest at heart.

Thank you for being there for us veterans. You and many others are appreciated. I did not have a VSO, it would have been a conflict of interest (my dad) and I did not want a different S.O., but I managed pretty well.

However, there are many vets out there that do not work for the VA and therefore do not have the regs at hand to help them. It is a very discouraging time for many vets. Many who need the help NOW, not many months from now. Vets who need questions answered.

Once again, thank you for helping us all.

quote:

Originally posted by ohbeehave:
Thanks for your inspiring words. Thankfully my C&P is behind me, and I'm in capable hands with my health. I still haven't heard from my damn VSO and it's a couple of days since I spoke to his supervisor. I am thinking about switching at this point, but also don't know how it will affect the outcome of my claim. The claims reps punch out at the same time, same place the VSOs do. I think what if my dufus is best friends with (or married to) the Decision Review Officer??? The one time I did have his attention, he did say they spar during the day, but are friends after 5 o'clock. (Actually, he compared their relationship to a cartoon. I sensed trouble when he started breaking things down to a 3rd grade level.)

Changing VSO's should not effect your claim. IF the VA has a half-way decent VSA clerk, they can update the system and put the form in the claim file without moving it from where ever it is located at now. You can discuss that with your VSO - they (if he/she is good) will actually hand-carry the form up to where the file is located at and talk to the person who is working on your claim at that time (if they are located at the VARO). This is when the form should be put into the file and they will update their system. I think Dave can confirm this.

Please keep us posted, ok? Good luck.

quote:

Originally posted by Bettina333:

quote:

Originally posted by DaveBarker:

quote:

The one time I did have his attention, he did say they spar during the day, but are friends after 5 o'clock.

I noticed when I go to Cleveland and it is after 5 O'clock they still give me dirty looks!

They are intimidated by you. I have read many of your postings. You are well informed and good at what you do. You are one of the few VSOs that I know, who are knowledgeable and take their work seriously. When I was still a VSR, I worked with many VSOs throughout the states and there are many that you just cannot even get on the phone.

My father is a retired Army disabled vet and VSO for many years now and d***** good too. I enjoyed working with many of the VSOs as they truely have the veterans best interest at heart.

Thank you for being there for us veterans. You and many others are appreciated. I did not have a VSO, it would have been a conflict of interest (my dad) and I did not want a different S.O., but I managed pretty well.

However, there are many vets out there that do not work for the VA and therefore do not have the regs at hand to help them. It is a very discouraging time for many vets. Many who need the help NOW, not many months from now. Vets who need questions answered.

Once again, thank you for helping us all.

Thanks, I appreciate your comments. Over the years I have had VBC's and a few in Adjudication send veterans to me. Some of them like me very much, others well...

Dave, Ohbeehave, 8209965 and Bettina333 - I would like to say thank you all for your contributions to this topic.

I have come to the conclusion that NOBODY is "normal"; we are ALL unique and special in our own ways.

I don't know of one person that has NEVER had an illness some where in their bodies, so...why should we be considered "abnormal" because ours just happens to be in the brain? The most important thing to remember is that ALL illnesses should be recognized and treated...

...It's truly a shame that people that are in positions to assist us, will instead, treat us like we aren't worth "their" time of day. These people are the ones that need help; with an attitude adjustment!!

If one chooses to take on a position such as the VSO's (that some of you have been dealing with), that person does NOT have the right to pick and choose whom they will help and whom they won't. Any personal feelings about a Veteran's lifestyle, religion or gender NEEDS to be pushed aside or they are not doing anyone any justice; especially themselves.

I truly don't understand why these unprofessional people even pursue positions like VSO to begin with. Their position is to REPRESENT you, NOT repel you. By ignoring you, this person is only being a negative reflection of himself and his office...and even his organization, in some cases.

Kevin, in every organization there is a chain of command, as you have started to climb. Go above those that will not help you to the next step and relay what has been going on. Please do NOT give these people the "power" or satisfaction of treating you with any less respect that you are due as an Honorably discharged Veteran of our Armed Forces. This is unacceptable and should be brought to the attention of those whom can do something about it.

Be the squeaky wheel that gets the grease, my friend. Make noise to those that can and will do something about the treatment you have received. Don't stop the noise until you get a resolution.

If we allow these people to continue in the mind thought that they are doing US a favor (by our not standing up for ourselves), they will continue this treatment with us as well as others.

Please know that I have all of you in my thoughts, heart and prayers!

Cyn~