As a Psychologist working on a military base, there wasn't a day that went by that I didn't hear, 'Ma'am, there is really something wrong with me. I think I am going crazy.' Since returning from deployment over eight months ago, this marine hasn't been able to sleep or concentrate.
As the month's passed, his anxiety started to increase until it hit a crescendo - a panic attack. He fears that any minute, another panic attack will happen. On top of all of this, he feels that he has failed terribly.
I thought I was strong but now, I have lost my confidence. Ever since I have returned, I am just not the same person. He was planning on staying in the military until retirement. Now he fears that he will not be able to make it to the end of the year.
Combat/operational stress is expected and inevitable. Our brains are biologically programmed to react instantaneously when we are threatened with danger. The Fight or Flight response readies the body for intense muscular effort, supported by all of the body's systems. Although this response is not as essential as it once was, it certainly comes in handy during periods of vulnerability and crisis.
The very nature of war dictates that we are ready and on alert at all times. The Fight or Flight response provides what is necessary to function successfully in this environment. Since deployments last for long periods of time, our brains stay on overdrive to protect us from impending danger and threat. The success of our military is in part due to this hardwiring of our brain and its ability to adapt to very stressful circumstances.
So why is it that our service members can function so well in wartime but for many, coming home provides a rude awakening? The brain that served as their ally seems to turn against them. They are plagued with symptoms of hyper-arousal, sleep difficulties, anger, irritability and a variety of other problems that just do not seem to go away. As a consequence, they desperately want to return to the war zone in the hope that they can recapture their sense of stability.
Sound familiar? You are not alone. Everyone returns from deployment with combat stress and for many people, these symptoms seem to linger and sometimes even worsen over time. The more often you are deployed, the more likely you will suffer from residual problems. This is not a weakness! It is a neurological condition. The belief that you "can suck it up and move on" only postpones recovery. Ignoring or trying to manage this on your own is a set-up for failure. Denial does not help the brain to change its hard-wiring.
There is real hope. We have come a long way in our understanding of trauma and its impact on the brain. New treatments have been developed that can diminish and possibly, eliminate your distress within a short period of time. The truth is that seeking help is a sign of true courage. Not only will you benefit from symptom reduction, but also you will actually strengthen your psychological muscle.
As the month's passed, his anxiety started to increase until it hit a crescendo - a panic attack. He fears that any minute, another panic attack will happen. On top of all of this, he feels that he has failed terribly.
I thought I was strong but now, I have lost my confidence. Ever since I have returned, I am just not the same person. He was planning on staying in the military until retirement. Now he fears that he will not be able to make it to the end of the year.
Combat/operational stress is expected and inevitable. Our brains are biologically programmed to react instantaneously when we are threatened with danger. The Fight or Flight response readies the body for intense muscular effort, supported by all of the body's systems. Although this response is not as essential as it once was, it certainly comes in handy during periods of vulnerability and crisis.
The very nature of war dictates that we are ready and on alert at all times. The Fight or Flight response provides what is necessary to function successfully in this environment. Since deployments last for long periods of time, our brains stay on overdrive to protect us from impending danger and threat. The success of our military is in part due to this hardwiring of our brain and its ability to adapt to very stressful circumstances.
So why is it that our service members can function so well in wartime but for many, coming home provides a rude awakening? The brain that served as their ally seems to turn against them. They are plagued with symptoms of hyper-arousal, sleep difficulties, anger, irritability and a variety of other problems that just do not seem to go away. As a consequence, they desperately want to return to the war zone in the hope that they can recapture their sense of stability.
Sound familiar? You are not alone. Everyone returns from deployment with combat stress and for many people, these symptoms seem to linger and sometimes even worsen over time. The more often you are deployed, the more likely you will suffer from residual problems. This is not a weakness! It is a neurological condition. The belief that you "can suck it up and move on" only postpones recovery. Ignoring or trying to manage this on your own is a set-up for failure. Denial does not help the brain to change its hard-wiring.
There is real hope. We have come a long way in our understanding of trauma and its impact on the brain. New treatments have been developed that can diminish and possibly, eliminate your distress within a short period of time. The truth is that seeking help is a sign of true courage. Not only will you benefit from symptom reduction, but also you will actually strengthen your psychological muscle.
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