tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3104906156789221902.comments2023-12-19T20:11:22.958-05:00Patience Mason's PTSD Blogpatience masonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00396609902249752438noreply@blogger.comBlogger162125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3104906156789221902.post-24593933708186192222018-02-21T09:42:44.468-05:002018-02-21T09:42:44.468-05:00Howdy! This post couldn't be written any bette...Howdy! This post couldn't be written any better! Reading this post reminds me <br />of my good old room mate! He always kept talking about this.<br />I will forward this post to him. Fairly certain he will have a good read.<br /><br />Thank you for sharing!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3104906156789221902.post-84076164242447750142016-05-12T12:43:54.469-04:002016-05-12T12:43:54.469-04:00I like the look of your example page for the upcom...I like the look of your example page for the upcoming book! I think people use the word FINE across a wide variety of mental disorders such as anxiety, depression, PTSD etc. to cover how they feel and often as family and loved ones we need to understand that FINE isn't FINE at all. I will be reading through a few more of your blogs and don't hesitate to get in touch with me, thanks sincerely, Bob.Bob Brayhttp://www.bobbrayauthor.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3104906156789221902.post-84915992182491654972016-05-06T21:12:07.559-04:002016-05-06T21:12:07.559-04:00I like your takes Dick. The nuanced fashion in the...I like your takes Dick. The nuanced fashion in the ways the PSTD Intruder enters our conscious and unconscious life are as ubiquitous as the weather. Starting with the days way back in the 20th century when I completed a 19 day resident PTSD program to this moment, I am struck on a daily basis of how many times the aspect of "numb" enters the back door and asks me to dance.I like the interactive way that Patience is approaching this project.So,I want to give this a bit more of the muse and return here for some more input. Glad to be amongst you all.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16106683628386153946noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3104906156789221902.post-70426498426929233762016-02-09T19:30:11.837-05:002016-02-09T19:30:11.837-05:00Of course I said I was fine. No one really wanted...Of course I said I was fine. No one really wanted to hear anything else. When I admitted I'd been in Nam, over 25 years later, and was diagnosed with PTSD, guys would ask what had happened. When I started to tell them, their eyes kind of glazed over and they found they had something else to do. <br /><br />FUCKED UP: Pretty much speaks for itself. What kid, put in these situations isn't going to come out of it screwed up? <br /><br />INSECURE: All the time you were there, the smallest mistake or omission could cost a life or lives. You never forget that and somehow, everything you ever do seems to carry the same import. <br /><br />NUMB: You can't have feelings, with the definite exception of anger or rage. They carry far too much cost. My wife used to do all she could to get me to lose my temper because at least then I'd show some emotion. Otherwise, I didn't show any at all. <br /><br />EGOTISTICAL: I'm not sure that I agree with you totally about this being egotistical. Do I need things done my way? Yes. But that is because I can be sure they are done right. And in my mind things are still a matter of life and death. Things HAVE to be done right. <br /><br />But I'm getting better about all of this. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01593268919364508580noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3104906156789221902.post-40944225077083436342016-02-09T12:58:10.364-05:002016-02-09T12:58:10.364-05:00I like where you're going here. And of course...I like where you're going here. And of course it applies to ALL human beings who have suffered traumas (which you hint to). I think it's important to help people understand that, if you are living a life that is anything but happy (and I mean happy from the core -- happy to be yourself, to love yourself and others and generally just feel good about life), then you have things you need to work out.<br /><br />Funny thing is, we all have things to work out...but HOW are we doing that. Well, we can't do it alone, although it does require effort on the individual's part to love themselves (which only they can do) -- we need others who we can relate to. We need others who have found resolution that can convey to us how they've healed or how they're healing. Not coping. Healing.<br /><br />Just like most prescription drugs don't solve anything (they just numb) -- things like AA meetings, help-groups, etc don't really solve problems. It takes an individual looking inward first, asking themselves, "What is at the root of my anger / depression / problems?" and slowly identifying that core element that lingers, like a splinter in our heel, that really need to be removed and not just covered with Dr. Scholls gel bandages.<br /><br />I like where you're going with this :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13872662488344117834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3104906156789221902.post-45459055041485668582016-02-09T12:57:46.889-05:002016-02-09T12:57:46.889-05:00I like where you're going here. And of course...I like where you're going here. And of course it applies to ALL human beings who have suffered traumas (which you hint to). I think it's important to help people understand that, if you are living a life that is anything but happy (and I mean happy from the core -- happy to be yourself, to love yourself and others and generally just feel good about life), then you have things you need to work out.<br /><br />Funny thing is, we all have things to work out...but HOW are we doing that. Well, we can't do it alone, although it does require effort on the individual's part to love themselves (which only they can do) -- we need others who we can relate to. We need others who have found resolution that can convey to us how they've healed or how they're healing. Not coping. Healing.<br /><br />Just like most prescription drugs don't solve anything (they just numb) -- things like AA meetings, help-groups, etc don't really solve problems. It takes an individual looking inward first, asking themselves, "What is at the root of my anger / depression / problems?" and slowly identifying that core element that lingers, like a splinter in our heel, that really need to be removed and not just covered with Dr. Scholls gel bandages.<br /><br />I like where you're going with this :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13872662488344117834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3104906156789221902.post-30901730419402997222016-02-09T12:08:45.545-05:002016-02-09T12:08:45.545-05:00I think the concept is a good one. People have sho...I think the concept is a good one. People have short attention spans and need something, a hook, to grab, hang onto, and identify with. Once they have identified, they will hopefully keep going. I think some other examples like over medicating (drugs, liquor), hopelessness, worthlessness, bad dreams are ones that women would especially relate to.Ann Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02982356660282180848noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3104906156789221902.post-6955158757946244822016-02-09T11:37:58.980-05:002016-02-09T11:37:58.980-05:00Thanks, Dave.
Thanks, Dave.<br />patience masonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00396609902249752438noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3104906156789221902.post-87782843411865279092016-02-09T11:33:43.340-05:002016-02-09T11:33:43.340-05:00I believe this approach is very good as the words ...I believe this approach is very good as the words are readily identifiable by anyone and likely point out those symptoms which have PTSD written all over them; symptoms which others without PTSD may experience for a different reason, but common for anyone with a 'mental trauma' such as combat. I believe simplicity is always the best route, and this fits that category.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13542597028283753942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3104906156789221902.post-52013287958666196012015-08-16T09:30:01.555-04:002015-08-16T09:30:01.555-04:00It was intially my only decompression, alone, good...It was intially my only decompression, alone, good smoke, night, and raining--usually in May or June ( lived in the Midwest), no anger, I could "think" again, was in control of the situation. Why? 40 years later my counselor and me worked it out. The reason I was "cool" because it was familiar to VN--after 40 years still like the rain and the night. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3104906156789221902.post-87058303673728058522015-07-02T16:57:56.378-04:002015-07-02T16:57:56.378-04:00It was one of the few times I felt myself. Especia...It was one of the few times I felt myself. Especially if it was a warm rainy evening. I "regained" peripheral vision--although I now realize I just took a break from my intensive and obsessive thoughts. I could "handle things." I could even walk into a bar or crowded space and not feel everyone is aware I am there. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3104906156789221902.post-67919984612276801892015-05-15T14:12:07.429-04:002015-05-15T14:12:07.429-04:00Thanks! What you do does help and definitely makes...Thanks! What you do does help and definitely makes a difference!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16768357339024368012noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3104906156789221902.post-85403173208200827102015-02-08T21:36:07.425-05:002015-02-08T21:36:07.425-05:00This particular post is from a Vietnam vet. If you...This particular post is from a Vietnam vet. If you look at the rest of the blog, you will see it is by the wife of one. When I talk to vets, I tell them they need basic un-training. the part of your brain that is on guard day and night is part of the reptile brain. It does not speak English and it can't tell time in the usual sense. It will know when it is around the same time of year as bad things that happened on deployment, but it really does not know you are back and most of its memories are non verbal, emotions, smells, sounds, sights. To move them out of the reptile brain takes words, either talking or writing about this shit. When my husband wrote his memoir, Chickenhawk, which took him 5 drafts, he stopped dreaming, but he didn't notice it till years later when another guy said writing our a nightmare over and over to please his teacher in college had meant he stopped having it. <br />I hope you will go to patiencepress.com and read some of the stuff there, My heart is with you. I have a lot of suggestions about finding ways to turn off those survival skills when you don't need them. It takes time and it is not easy. I also think that having been in battle, you have a lot to give the world even though you have given so much. Thich Nhat Hanh, the Buddhist monk from Vietnam says veterans are the blue flame that burns above the yellow part of a lit candle.<br />Please keep in touch with me. I am not a veteran, but my husband came home from Vietnam with PTSD when it was not supposed to exist, and I have lived with it and loved him ever since. I will post this as a reply at my blog too. All the best.patience masonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00396609902249752438noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3104906156789221902.post-51984744072768231132015-02-08T20:03:09.759-05:002015-02-08T20:03:09.759-05:00I am not going to lie, the first part of this blog...I am not going to lie, the first part of this blog scared the shit out of me. If you haven't stopped thinking of Vietnam after 40 years, that means I have 40 more years of my own war. <br /><br />But as I read on I came to understand where you're coming from, and thank you for everything written here. <br /><br />Thank you for taking the time to write this, I am glad that others are on the same path to recovery as myself. Please check out my blog here: goo.gl/BP2nmL I am writing about PTSD as in hopes of finding a method of therapy that will work for me.<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04952497130488984020noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3104906156789221902.post-88432477871648950742014-11-11T12:38:56.938-05:002014-11-11T12:38:56.938-05:00Thank you!Thank you!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3104906156789221902.post-19124231118237931702014-06-25T10:39:44.267-04:002014-06-25T10:39:44.267-04:00Sadly, not only do some VA lackeys deny the existe...Sadly, not only do some VA lackeys deny the existence and impact of PTSD on combat soldiers, but mainstream medicine has their head in the sand as well. Nursing leadership in the civilian world is very hardcore about this, a majority believing that men with PTSD are "just as*holes" and regularly encourage their families to abandon them. I worked in the "medical arena" in an allied health position, and ran into this. What struck me the hardest is that I see so little compassion. I sit and shake my head, thinking, "Really?" Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3104906156789221902.post-23741594193729548342014-06-23T08:50:33.828-04:002014-06-23T08:50:33.828-04:00Tai Chi and Qi Gong are also excellent for both th...Tai Chi and Qi Gong are also excellent for both the veteran and his/her partner. This is a wonderful article about that topic: http://trib.com/deployment_2009/article_9aeee3dd-8d62-5df7-9722-c7558105d76e.htmlAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00953486643194207514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3104906156789221902.post-66385575614205065132014-06-13T19:00:40.156-04:002014-06-13T19:00:40.156-04:00I wish I had found this blog 10 years ago when I g...I wish I had found this blog 10 years ago when I got serious about trying to get some help for my husband, myself and my family. He was a Vietnam Vet as well. He passed 18 months ago after years of a self-destructive downward spiral. I now attend monthly meetings of Veteran's Heart Georgia in order to work on my own healing by being part of a group of vets and citizens that believe in working together, in community, towards healing. I just wanted to take a moment to thank you and your husband for the time and energy you give to this work. Even though it is too late for my husband, it isn't too late for me, my family, and many others out there. My sincere thanks, Sue. Suehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03628585414687048802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3104906156789221902.post-286413237954803012014-05-29T16:22:17.950-04:002014-05-29T16:22:17.950-04:00My PTSD began after 3 months -66'. 48 yrs late...My PTSD began after 3 months -66'. 48 yrs later I'm still there. Serving Vets for 30 yrs as VSO. I'm in therapy and making progress. The enemy today stems from the reality of what really was. Have copy of After the War. Thanks for being a part of the solution. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3104906156789221902.post-53867276144420426922014-04-29T15:38:37.288-04:002014-04-29T15:38:37.288-04:00I hope you will go to my web page and read the thr...I hope you will go to my web page and read the three issues on Numbness (Survivor Skill or Shortcoming?, Finding Your Feelings, So What Do I Do With This Feeling, Now that I've Found It?). In the Solace for the Self issue is a description of HEALS which has helped me with every painful feeling. I hope we can keep in touch.patience masonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00396609902249752438noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3104906156789221902.post-38564612964928986752014-04-29T13:02:30.362-04:002014-04-29T13:02:30.362-04:00Oh my goodness. Thank you so much for this shout o...Oh my goodness. Thank you so much for this shout out. I just love your take on feelings. "If feelings were logical they'd be called reasons." I so need to remember this! Thank you thank you thank you!<br /><br />Jamie Dement (LadyJai)<br /><a href="http://writebackwards.we3dements.com" rel="nofollow">My A to Z</a><br /><a href="http://caringforaveteran.wordpress.com" rel="nofollow">Caring for My Veteran</a>Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05428537878590963832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3104906156789221902.post-90913478673248476462014-02-18T14:07:24.791-05:002014-02-18T14:07:24.791-05:00I hope you will read the rest of my writings on my...I hope you will read the rest of my writings on my webpage, http://www.patiencepress.com/patience_press/PTSD_Help-Gazettes.html and perhaps get the kindle version of Recovering from the War, which is $4.99 I believe. The last third of the book talks about learning to communicate again.patience masonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00396609902249752438noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3104906156789221902.post-63252490427450872472014-02-17T23:08:41.094-05:002014-02-17T23:08:41.094-05:00I love someone who has been to war. No amount of p...I love someone who has been to war. No amount of patience on my part will get him to talk about it. I know, he knows it: that he hurts inside because of it. His eyes begin to tear with just my mentioning that its ok to hurt but he hasn't been able to open himself up yet. Your blog means the world to me as I try to understand. We recently spoke about his inability to feel compassion. This post helped me understand what that looks like. But helps me not to lose myself or my head. Thank you from my heart.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3104906156789221902.post-87248257532924087162013-12-27T13:49:00.675-05:002013-12-27T13:49:00.675-05:00Very moving... Yesterday was the Asian Tsunami ann...Very moving... Yesterday was the Asian Tsunami anniversary. My PTSD was a result of the Asian tsunami and being involved with the initial search and rescue. For years I struggled until I was finally diagnosed properly and stated trauma therapy. <br /><br />Aspect of my treatment were the focus of a BBC radio documentary on PTSD.<br /><br />My life has moved forward since the treatment, it’s not ideal but it’s manageable. There are still bad days but I’m trying to focus on the good.<br />I have just started a blog, to share my story and raise awareness of PTSD. In order try to highlight the countless men, women and children who suffer trauma in silence. And, how with greater understanding and early and accurate diagnosis we can genuinely support those that suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.<br /><br />http://ptsdjedi.wordpress.com/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3104906156789221902.post-22277168730814450302013-09-23T15:27:28.618-04:002013-09-23T15:27:28.618-04:00I was only in country for three months before trag...I was only in country for three months before tragedy struck. During the night of June 5, 2011, I was part of a mission that ended up arresting a few Taliban that had been shooting at us earlier. One of them was covered in blood, so I knew that we had successfully killed some of our enemies.<br /><br />As we were on our way to spend the night in an open wheat field, to sit on a UXO (un-exploded ordinance) that we had discovered, that’s when it happened. As I was walking towards my lieutenant and looking for improvised explosive devices (IEDs), which are booby traps that the enemy plants around us, I stepped on a pressure plate. It was connected to 40 pounds of homemade explosives buried six feet in front of me and located directly under the ground where my lieutenant was standing. The blast left him with both legs gone, and the shrapnel left me with massive lacerations to the right side of my head, neck, and right arm. The wounds to my neck just missed my carotid artery.<br /><br />But we both lived! I give all praise and glory to Jesus Christ that day for sparing both of our lives and for bringing us home to our families. Although, the injuries caused by the explosion and the road to rehabilitation that followed has been tough, it has been one of the best things that has ever happened to me because it helped to shape me into the man I am today, so I wish to share with the readers of The Character Building Project my five steps to Post Traumatic Growth (PTG.)<br /><br />1) Accepting what traumatic event took place.<br /><br />2) Having the courage to tell your story to whoever asks rather than bottling it up inside which will ultimately lead to harmful ways of coping I.E. drug abuse<br /><br />3) Actively seeking help which is ultimately available to you I.E. social work, therapist etc.<br /><br />4) Stay focused on healing physically and incorporate a workout regiment for yourself if possible depending on injuries.<br /><br />5) As you progress in your mental recovery, reach out and help others like yourself with theirs as well. Share what steps you have learned and pass it on.<br />–<br />Chase M. Cooper (US Army)<br /><br />http://thecharacterbuildingproject.com/warriors/chase-cooper/chase-cooper-bio/#.UkCNrBbvxsQAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com