Many vets have found that there are some things which are useful in treatment.

If you've found something that you'd like to share, this might be a good place to put it out there if you wish.

Thanks.

Hate to post over my own introductory posting, but here's a question: Anyone have any experience with EMDR as a treatment? It's the eye movement therapy.

You'd know it if you had it.

Thanks in advance.

Explain.

This should be a very good thread...I have a few things to share later.

EMDR is explained here.

While its advocates think its about the magic bullet for treatment of PTSD, I'll hold off any conclusions as I doubt the treatment has been demonstrated on any wide scale.

My question about it is to see how many vets may have experienced it and how it worked for them.

It's just another attempt to try to help our vets. Of course, its proponents want to train a bunch of people to learn how to administer it, ya-da, ya-da.

Thanks.

I had the EMDR teatment it was of no help at all.The only time it worked is in the office after an hour my thoughts were back like they were before the treatment.

The way it works is you cant have two thoughts at the same time like a happy thought and a sad thought at the same time.Now if the EMDR treatment was thentyfour seven it may work.But who is going to move a object in your face all the time?

Oh, Ok, now I got it...thanks, 67...

Hypnotheropy does work for some people...this seems to be a variation thereof.

One needs to remain conscious of that concept when negative thoughts, events, triggers, etc come up, even when there is no one else there, so that when it does happen we have another thought process to "kick in" to. Right?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Tower_Flower,

This Irish blessing works well for me:

"Live Well, Laugh Often, Love Much"

After having gone through some horrendous things last week, I came to a stark revelation from the "Holy Spirit". (I was alone and physically unable to do even daily tasks for a couple of days.) I could see my stress life in the past, how people who loved me tried to let me know, how I just missed so much of my son's life and my own.

I realized that this was caused by a "people's lives depend on me doing this perfectly" mentality. I then started to train myself to actually "live"...stop and smell the roses, give myself a break to see who and what I was, take inventory....but I didn't "work" at it, I just cried out to God.."Help me", let go of the responsibility, and let things flow.

I have gained so much more ground in all areas of my life..and letting God teach me how to trust again. I don't have to be totally in control, just at peace in whatever I do, and if I am not, to draw back and reevaluate. I even ordered an item or two from a couple of catalogs that I have been looking at for over 2 years, then threw them out!

I basically grew up in the military and developed that training as my rules for living. This attitude made it very hard to reintegrate in civilian life. I felt they just don't care and are incompetent..even dangerous.

I stopped putting these expectations in front of me that takes at least 3 people to do...no wonder I was burning out...but I just did not see or refused to understand.

Humor has been a blessing to me and has kept me from "going crazy".

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Tower_Flower,

As far as formal PTSD care is concerned, I gained alot from the "Life Skills Course" in the form of Awarness.

The Vietnam Vet Center was a place of refuge when the going got really tuff, because I felt safe there and did not feel intimidated. Care givers understood alot of things and I did not have to try to explain something that most people just cannot grasp, in concept even. It didn't feel clinical, like being viewed under a microscope as a specimine and then being evaded as if at any moment I would attack. Like family.

Group theorpy is refreashing, and gives me a place to get a "tune up" sometimes, and regain perspective, along with fellow soldiers (all inclusive) who are serious about healing...comradery.

Thank God I made it in.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Tower_Flower,

oK, i am trying this again. My faith in God, taking positive little steps, medications , good mental health provider (that knows about PTSD and treats me like a person), groups and supportive friends and family. Also getting treatment at an early stage instead of years later.(I wish I had and/or was told about PTSD on discharge and not 30+ years later because of 911.) Also, inpatient treatment helped alot!! Sally

quote:

I had the EMDR teatment it was of no help at all.The only time it worked is in the office after an hour my thoughts were back like they were before the treatment.

Interesting as 'the promise' of EMDR was big when it first came out.

Many in the mental health field try to find the 'single cure' for PTSD and it seems clear that different courses of treatment work differently in various individuals.

Y'all, thanks for the postings!

Good to see this new forum section.

I've been around here for awhile. I am service connected for PTSD from Vietnam, and have been in treatment for 8 yeas or so.

It took me 30 years to admit I had a problem.

I've learned to take my meds. Tell my Doc's what's on my mind, and what I want to achieve.

I also avoid some triggers like some Vietnam movies, hHistory Channel about Vietnam, and try not to focus too much on current wars and fighting. I am aware of what's going on, I just try to now dwell on it.

When I find myself with an arguementative person, I tend to shut up and walk away, rather than argue with them. Arguing just gets me pissed off, and you can't win an arguement with an idiot. It's not backing down, it's letting myself avoid anxiety and anger.

If I feel like fighting, I try to walk away and think about it. I still get mad, but I don't go off like I used to. I try not to flip the bird at anyone when I'm driving anymore. I just smile when they cut me off and under my breth I say "what a jerk". Getting in a road rage incident isn't going to help, and I really don't want to hurt anyone. It would never even dawn on me that I might get hurt, because the anger and adreniline from the PTSD just does that to you.

I tell close people about my condition. Most of them really don't understand, but I don't hide it. They can take me or leave me, as I am. I'm not about playing games.

There are a lot of good people on this forum. Several people here have helped me quite a bit, and I am grateful.

We share what we learn here, and try to help the next person.

I look forward to being around for a long time.

Bill

Glad to see ya made it in, and sure we'll all be happy to see you around for a long time, because that means we'll be there too

Tower_Power

It sounds like you have a great perspective on taking care of your PTSD. I appreciate your post. When I got back from Iraq (in Feb 05)I had some difficulty dealing with anger and depression. In my way of thinking, I thought, this is not supposed to happen to preachers. It seemed like a lack of faith to be depressed and have anger issues. I haven't been diagnosed with PTSD, but I haven't been to the VA either. My family doctor has been treating me and so far it has been effective. Things will never be "normal" as they were before I left, but I have a lot to be thankful for.

Tower-Flower, you DO seem to have good insights. You will be a big help around here, even if PrecherMedic call you Tower-Power! He watches too much religious stuff on TV (LOL...Just kidding Preacher)

I look forward to talking to you more in the future.

Bill

quote:

Originally posted by preachermedic:
Tower_Power

It sounds like you have a great perspective on taking care of your PTSD. I appreciate your post. When I got back from Iraq (in Feb 05)I had some difficulty dealing with anger and depression. In my way of thinking, I thought, this is not supposed to happen to preachers. It seemed like a lack of faith to be depressed and have anger issues. I haven't been diagnosed with PTSD, but I haven't been to the VA either. My family doctor has been treating me and so far it has been effective. Things will never be "normal" as they were before I left, but I have a lot to be thankful for.

Here you go "preacher"....Psalm 139

quote:

Originally posted by Tower_Flower:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by depicts:
Tower-Flower, you DO seem to have good insights. You will be a big help around here, even if PrecherMedic call you Tower-Power! He watches too much religious stuff on TV (LOL...Just kidding Preacher)

I look forward to talking to you more in the future.


Bill

Same Here.

Yeah, an interesting "Freudian Slip", but air traffic controllers do have the power for sure.

I give the credit to the "Holy Spirit", and the wonderful care providers that I have and have had, and all the great soldiers that I have had the pleasure of being in group with.

It does take a conscious effort on our parts though, as soon as we start gaining insight from our providers. Seems so strange to have to attend to ourselves now, eh. I do find that when I do, though, I can relate better to others. Guess we are worthy too.

I am a 100% service connected (Vietnam) disabled veteran, I have been now for almost 5 years, some small percentage aches and pains from years ago, and the remainder from PTSD. I belong to a support group of 18 vietnam veterans, 13 are 100%ers, the remainder have the process in motion. Prior to me making my first step towards the VA I knew that something was wrong with me for many years, but of course I had no damn idea just what it was. I still have issues that I live with and work on making changes, one being that I seem to be able to get along and work with other veterans, and not civilians.
I have been given a reprieve in life because of the VA, I was diagnosed with type II diabetes, wouldn't have ever known until it was to late without the VA. My wife and I have been given wonderful treatment at the Redding, Ca. VA clinic, and my PTSD is manageable with the medications, the pain issues have been taken care of and my wife and I were able to purchase a home. None of this would have been accomplished without the help from the VA, and I would still be wandering the rest of my life wondering just what the heck is wrong with me. For over 20 years I thought that 3 hours of sleep a night was normal. Again, with medications I can enjoy 8 or 9. So, I would like to hear from others as to whether or not their treatment of PTSD has been good, or bad. Mine was a definite good. Thanks for giving me the space to say this. I enjoy being a citizen of the United States of America and I thank the Veterans Administration for being there for me

I shall state that I was "VERY" skeptical about EMDR until I tried it and it made my most horrific nightmare go away. I have not had that nightmare since my EMDR session to replace the memory with another one. That was on 9/29/05. It is not a magic bullet but it is f'n magic, how it works. I acquired PTSD from a 22 year physically abusive former marriage. I shall also like to plug the West Coast Post Trauma Retreat in San Rafael California. They deal only with Police Officers, First Responders and Military. They saved my life and taught me how to deal and live with my PTSD. I also exercise a great deal but found I kept chasing the endorphine and adrenaline rush it provided me to help escape my intrusive thoughts. I have thus learned how to control that demon of constant exercise. I live my life and had my b/f attend programs to better understand my PTSD. Just my two-cents worth.

Kind regards to all and thanx for sharing,

T-

VA has been a help to a lot of us. PTSD wasn't even considered a problem... for most of the Nam war. Guys came home and knew something was wrong...anger, violence, booze, drugs, and no one to talk to about it... a good number ate their pistol or did it some other way (guess is 100,000)...for a long time everyone blamed the Buddhist Monks for putting a curse on us...

Most of us now have type II Diabetes, PTSD, Arthritis, tumors, and lingering disabilities due to wounds and injuries... it helped to open the eyes of the country as it heaped guilt on each of us.... we served... we never lost a battle... the politicians created a no-win enviornment... most of us felt left out in the cold as the saying goes. And, America seemed a foriegn land to many who came back... wishing they had not come home...