Healing Veterans PTSD

The Worst thing to ignore if someone you love has PTSD

2011-12-30T14:43:00.000-07:00

This simple but effective technique is finding more and more skeptics turning to believers in the therapy world. EFT, or tapping, is easy to do, gives immediate relief and once you know how to do it, you can do it for yourself. So what's keeping the VA from adopting it TODAY? They want more studies.

Considering the massive amount of success that PTSD sufferers have had with this amazingly simple technique, we hope they get their studies done quickly.

Here is a quote from the article in Press Democrat.com about one man's experience...

To treat the post-traumatic stress disorder he's endured for four decades — the sleeplessness, the depression, the troubled relationships — Peter Tracy turned last year to tapping.

"It made a difference," said Tracy, 61, a Vietnam veteran. "I feel like I'm doing OK."

He said his Army service in Vietnam with a combat supply unit felt "like a nightmare I couldn't get out of."

Tapping, known formally as emotional freedom techniques, or EFT, is a therapy in which patients, guided by someone trained in the procedure, tap on acupressure points by the eye, over the lip, on the chest and under an arm. At the same time, the patient describes past traumas, ranks the intensity of the memory and repeats statements meant to affirm self- acceptance in the face of the experience.

For the entire article here is the link from PressDemocrat.com ...

http://www.eftuniverse.com/images/stories/6-4-10/pressdemovets.pdf

Only one in ten veterans who enters treatment for PTSD in the V.A. actually completes it.

2010-12-16T13:38:00.000-07:00

This startling statistic should be an alarm that something needs to change in order for more vets to get the help they need for this life changing, debilitating condition. Two men have been in Washington D.C. this year trying to do just that!

On their first visit, Dawson Church and David Feinstein went, with a Second Lieutenant, to attempt to get Congress to set up hearings to plead the case that Energy Psychology is superior to conventional treatments for soldiers and veterans suffering with PTSD. Here is what Dr. Feinstein writes after finally getting in front of Congresswomen Lynn Woolsey.

Our presentation was brief but effective, centering around the Second Lieutenant telling of his story. While serving as a guard and medic in Iraq, he was able to psychologically mobilize himself to perform his duties like a model soldier. He had enlisted in the Army and was deployed to the “Triangle of Death” in Baghdad, where he served in 2006 and 2007. He attended to mass casualties and encountered many bloodied, burned, and dead bodies. The first casualty he witnessed was a member of his unit who had half his head blown off. It was a time when fellow soldiers were being kidnapped and beheaded. At night, lying in his tent, in an area being heavily bombed, he explained what goes on in the mind: “When the sound of a whizzing rocket fills the air, if you hear an explosion three seconds later, you are alive. If you don’t, you are dead.”

Upon returning to the U.S., safety did not provide comfort. In a classroom or other public setting, he would be calculating his response should there be an attack. Sirens were now the screams of approaching rockets. An ebullient personality before the war, his inner life had become dry and restricted. He no longer found himself laughing. He realized in retrospect that he had become dissociated from his body. He gradually came to accept that his undiagnosed PTSD was his new way of life. Having become an officer, and in training now to become a physician, he knew that reporting a psychological difficulty of this magnitude could have a devastating impact on his career.

About a year after returning from Iraq, a friend commented on how he had changed. She offered to try a technique that she thought might be helpful. This led to a three-hour session of EFT (a form of Energy Psychology) where he made a list of every trauma he experienced during the war. Giving a 0-to-10 “subjective units of distress” rating to the first item on his list, he reported that it was a 0. He felt no distress in his (dissociated) body. His friend had him tap on the memory anyway. Within minutes he was sobbing, feeling the full impact of the memory, as high a 10 as could be imagined. For three hours they went through and, by tapping on acupuncture points, emotionally neutralized every memory on his list. He described how one of the first things he noticed as the session progressed was a return of sensation in his hands. He said it was like he was back in his body. By the end of that single session (followed by a brief follow-up session the next day), he was cured of all his symptoms of PTSD. Now nearly two years later, although his friend would be happy to provide follow-up at any point, he has been his joyful self again, no longer hypervigilant, and in no need of further help.

Dawson followed with a brief description of the research he has conducted demonstrating that the poignant story just told was not an isolated incident but rather an example of a reliable and unusually effective treatment for PTSD. He described the Iraq Vets Stress Project, which has offered free Energy Psychology treatment to hundreds of veterans through an international network of more than 100 providers, with many VA therapists referring veterans for treatment.

For the whole story go here!

New film for PTSD Veterans released!

2010-07-10T16:19:00.013-06:00

It's called OPERATION: Emotional Freedom.

I'm so excited it's finished. Here is a link to the web site where you can watch excerpts and buy a copy. I highly recommend this film. Thanks to Skywriter Communications for their work in getting this documentary out to the public. Here's a quote from that web site...

"This groundbreaking documentary is a hard hitting look at the current state of health care for combat veterans in America diagnosed with PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder.) The film sets about examining the myths and misconceptions surrounding the medical/chemical approach to treating PTSD and why drugs are not "the answer" that pharmaceuticals promise. Instead, the film follows a group of volunteer vets and their families on a journey through a newer vision of health and healing for PTSD and trauma.

OPERATION: Emotional Freedom puts forward The Answer to enabling dysfunctional lives to return to balance, peace and productivity.

The project is the culmination of a two year process to document an innovative therapy for treating the physical and emotional effects arising in an increasing number of combat veterans and their families."

Finally some real solutions for this debilitating disorder. You can buy a dvd or watch it instantly on your computer. It's a tiny price to pay for changing a life!

thanks to wallyg for the photo!

Veterans PTSD documentary to be finished in May

2010-02-26T08:53:00.003-07:00

great news, in spite of announcing his retirement, Gary Craig has given a potential date of May for the finished film on healing PTSD with veterans using EFT. Here's a quote from his most recent newsletter.

"Vets Movie: The vets movie is still in process. Best estimate for availability is May of 2010. I will announce it when it is ready."

I'll keep you posted and let you know how and where to go to find this DVD when it's finished!

help for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America

2010-01-29T15:27:00.004-07:00

Dear Concerned Citizens,

Would you contribute $5 to help a veteran fight for reform on Capitol Hill?

In just 10 days, over two dozen Iraq and Afghanistan veterans will deploy to Washington, D.C. for IAVA's 5th annual Storm the Hill trip - an historic week of meetings with over 100 members of Congress.

Here's where you come in. Can you pitch in to help get them the supplies they need?

The vets will be meeting face-to-face with the White House, the VA, the Department of Defense, and members of Congress to present our legislative priority for 2010: reforming the VA's archaic disability claims system. Right now, some wounded warriors are waiting up to two years for disability benefits - that is unacceptable.

Click here to contribute towards the trip - $5 can pay for transportation between meetings, and with $10, you can pay for one of their meals.

Two years ago, this trip was focused on getting a new G.I. Bill. And that passed. Last year, we focused on securing advance funding for the VA. Now, that's a reality as well.

Click here to make a donation towards Storm the Hill, and help write this year's success story.

The men and women going to Storm the Hill aren't lobbyists or politicians. They're members of our nation's newest generation of heroes, and along with veterans across the country, they're counting on you to help us win this fight.

Thank you for standing with us.

Sincerely,

Paul

Paul Rieckhoff
Executive Director & Founder
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA)

Martin Luther King Jr. speaking for Vietnam Veterans

2010-01-18T08:36:00.012-07:00

This very brief excerpt is from a speech given on 4 April 1967 by Nobel Peace Prize winner Martin Luther King Jr. He courageously spoke out against the wisdom of the Vietnam war. In support of the troops and the people on both sides but asking the government to reconsider the destructive actions they were forcing these men and women to take.

"I am as deeply concerned about our own troops there as anything else. For it occurs to me that what we are submitting them to in Vietnam is not simply the brutalizing process that goes on in any war where armies face each other and seek to destroy. We are adding cynicism to the process of death, for they must know after a short period there that none of the things we claim to be fighting for are really involved."

The rest of that speech can be found here...

A healing process was given momentum at the moment he spoke those words. Due to his popularity, it brought about an awareness. It also voiced an unpopular viewpoint. One shared by many but voiced by few. Remember, people were still being jailed for this kind of dissidence. But as he said when quoting the opening lines from the aims of an organization called 'Clergy and Laymen Concerned about Vietnam.'

" "A time comes when silence is betrayal." And that time has come for us in relation to Vietnam."

His influence can certainly be seen in the difference of the public opinion towards returning veterans today. The soldiers of the Gulf War, the Iraq War, and the War in Afghanistan have experienced a much different welcoming home than those from Vietnam.

The awareness of PTSD is also higher, it can be found on any nightly news channel, just about any night. So the time is ripe for getting this information into the hands of the people who need it the most. The veterans, family and friends of veterans. The suicide rate is off the charts and growing for the returning combat soldiers.

These new healing techniques may look wacky and you might wonder how they can possibly help, but traditional therapies just aren't working for enough veterans, fast enough. VA hospitals are overrun and underfunded. The advantage of many of these techniques is that they can be done at home, with books, tapes, on the phone or with a local practitioner. I encourage you to go thru these posts and find something that might work for you or someone you love!

So I'll leave you with...

"And if we will only make the right choice, we will be able to transform this pending cosmic elegy into a creative psalm of peace.
If we will make the right choice, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our world into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood."

"If they have served than they deserve service."

2009-12-18T22:39:00.015-07:00

Happy Holidays Veterans!!!

If you're in the Boulder area, here is a generous offer from Dr. Ian Hollaman, at Red Tail Wellness Centers. He wants to give back to those who are giving to us. Dr. Ian is a board-certified chiropractor and licensed as a primary healthcare physician in the state of Colorado. And here is his what he is offering FOR FREE, to veterans and service people...

"My offer is a brief consultation, adjustment and 15 minute massage. I hope this can make their holidays a bit brighter."

Who needs body work by a competent chiropractor? Almost everybody. If you have: just returned from a tour or haven't been, PTSD or not, brain trauma or not, maybe only finished bootcamp, then you're a good candidate. Here's Dr. Ian's web site for more information on his practice... redtailwellness

Take advantage of this wonderful present, like Christmas cookies, it may not last long! And thank you to Dr. Ian for this generous gift.

TAT for healing combat trauma and PTSD

2009-12-10T18:56:00.005-07:00

I was just browsing thru some favorite energy techniques tonight and came across this you tube video of a Vietnam Vet, who survived a helicopter crash. He is talking about how well TAT, (developed by Tapas Fleming) worked for him in dissolving that trauma. Like Gary Craig, Tapas has made her work available to the public free of charge. You can download the manual for free, then find a practitioner in your area to work with. This is another technique that works well over the phone, if you're in a remote area or prefer working at home.

Here's the video...

And here is the web site....
www.tatlife.com

I'd love to hear your comments if you have any success with this.

Ask a Veteran about EFT's value

2009-11-07T16:47:00.004-07:00

This just in from the EFT free newsletter, a VERY good source of information and stories from people who have used Emotional Freedom Technique successfully in their own lives.

Ask a Veteran about EFT's value:
Debi Stanley is a Veteran who experienced EFT in a specialized workshop for Vets in San Francisco over a year and a half ago. She is willing to correspond with you about her experience. She says, "Before EFT in San Francisco, I had been suffering from depression for over 20 years and took every med in the books. I also had severe nightmares once or twice per week that would cause me to scream in the middle of the night. After EFT, I am off the meds and have had neither depression nor nightmares since. EFT saved my life."

Pretty powerful testimonial to the effectiveness of this work. It's especially good when you can work with a practitioner and there are several people out there who specialize in working with veterans, from all wars. Many EFT practitioners are easily able to work over the phone, if you are in a remote area. When you can't work with a practitioner, which I highly recommend, there are alternatives. From e-books, click here, to audio files and CD's.

Here's the link for the newsletter, you can sign up and probably get to this issue. If not drop me a line and I'll send it to you. newslettersign-up

No more rationed care for veterans, thank you IAVA

2009-11-02T22:03:00.005-07:00

Dear readers,

If you signed and helped pass this legislation, you've probably received your own letter from IAVA and Paul. If not, the good news is THEY DID IT! These guys are really on the ball, they passed this new GI Bill, by tapping into the Veterans community on and off line. My hat is off to them and I strongly recommend you get on their e-mail list, so you can help them support all veterans, combat and non-combat, male and female, from Vietnam to Iraq and Afghanistan. Here's the letter they sent explaining more about that recent GI Bill...

Dear Lisa,

I'm writing from Washington, DC, and I have some big news.

The President just signed IAVA's number one legislative priority for the year into law- advance funding for VA healthcare. And it's all because of your support.

Click here to watch a quick video update I recorded at the White House before the signing ceremony, and find out how you played a huge role in today's victory.

The new law requires Congress to pass the VA healthcare budget one year in advance. It means no more rationed care for veterans- regardless of what year it is, or what party is in power. Period.

This is what we've been fighting for since January- and it's a huge win for veterans of all generations.

For the past ten months, you've played a crucial role in this historic process by calling Congress, forwarding emails, making donations, and recruiting others to join the fight. Click here to see how you contributed to this historic victory.

Last year, IAVA made passing a new GI Bill our number one priority. And because of you, we got it done. This year, we chose a new goal, and again, we got it done. You stepped up to the plate, and ensured that the VA will always have a budget that passes on time.

Click here to see how we won this fight together.

Thank you for standing with us.

Sincerely,

Paul

Paul Rieckhoff
Executive Director & Founder
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA)

A tip for vets and first time home buying.

2009-10-29T18:15:00.009-06:00

Well here's something I didn't know. It might be news to you vets as well. Looks like you don't have much time to take advantage of it, but if you are in the market or ready to buy a new home, this might save you some money. I hope it will work for you!

Dear Vet's,

Have you been thinking about buying a home or refinancing your current home loan? Did you know that you can still take advantage of the First Time Homebuyer Tax credit or $8,000 (must close by November 30, 2009) if you purchase your first home, (a first home is considered if you have not owned a home for the past three years), using your VA entitlement which requires NO DOWN PAYMENT money? Did you know that the current 30 year fixed rate is 5% with NO PRE PAYMENT PENALTIES?

Enough with all these questions. One fact to remind you of is if you HAVE used your eligibility to purchase a home using your VA entitlement, you do have the option of using your entitlement again. In fact there are no limits as to how many times you use your entitlement, as long as you pay off your current VA home loan prior to buying your next home.

To find out more detailed information please email or visit my website at:

mfriedman@pmglending.com

www.pmglending.com/mfriedman

Your VA home loan specialist.

Mitch Friedman

720-434-4784

America's Heros at Work

2009-10-27T15:38:00.010-06:00

Ok folks, for all you employers out there, here is a chance to fill out your ranks, help your community, while you are providing meaningful employment to a deserving veteran. This can help you add to your work force at the same time giving a veteran a means of providing for his or her family, (now that he or she has provided for our country.) It's a win-win situation and I highly recommend you to look into it if you are in need of skilled labor!

Hands-On Employment Pilot matches employers and veterans with TBI and/or PTSD
AmericasHeroesAtWork.gov

America's Heroes at Work has embarked on a new hands-on endeavor - an Employment Pilot designed to coordinate successful employment experiences for veterans with TBI and/or PTSD, while studying individual experiences. DOL's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) is managing this "learning lab" concept with support from workforce development professionals and a steering committee comprised of representatives from key federal partners. Through the Pilot, DOL will study, validate and disseminate best practices related to helping employees with TBI and/or PTSD succeed on the job. The initial phase of the Pilot will concentrate on employers and veterans located in the Greater Washington, D.C. area, all of whom will benefit from hands-on support. Workforce development professionals on the team will consult with organizations interested in employing veterans with TBI/PTSD, match them with qualified veteran workers, provide ongoing support; and monitor experiences and track best practices. For more information, visit the America's Heroes at Work Web site <http://www.americasheroesatwork.gov/employpilot.html> .

2009-10-05T14:10:00.004-06:00

Hey folks,

this is REALLY important so pay attention . Take 5-10 minutes to read the links and call your senator. I just did it, it takes literally 4-5 minutes to call. Paul from IAVA has provided a call back number, so all you do is plug in your zip code and they take care of the rest. You are connected with your senators office, you can let them know about how you feel about them not getting this vote passed in time for VA hospital funding. thanks for helping to take care of the men and women who are taking care of us!!

Dear Veteran supporter,

This could be one of the most important phone calls you make this year.

Last week, the Senate failed to pass the VA budget, and six million veterans who rely on the VA for healthcare are paying the price. All passing the budget takes is one vote - the Senate just hasn't gotten around to it.

Now, VA hospitals and clinics nationwide can't plan for critical staffing and equipment needs, leading to longer waits for appointments, and rationed care. This is completely unacceptable.

Take action by calling your Senators now. Tell them to pass the VA budget, so that veterans get the care they deserve. Click here to place your call - our online tool makes it easy.

The VA budget has been late an astounding 20 times in the last 23 years. And every year we've had to fight to get it passed. But your phone call could change that forever. This year's budget includes a provision that will fund the VA a full year in advance. Advance funding the VA is IAVA's top legislative goal for 2009, and it means veterans' healthcare will never be rationed again.

So please place a call to your Senators now and make sure that the VA is fully funded this year, and for years to come.

The only budget that Congress passed on time last week is the one that pays their salaries. Veterans shouldn't have to wait while Congress gets paid. Help us change that today.

Thank you for making your voice heard.

Sincerely,

Paul

Paul Rieckhoff
Executive Director & Founder
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA)

STRESS PROJECT.ORG

2009-10-01T14:27:00.003-06:00

Here's a link to a list from the Iraq Vets Stress web site of

"VA Therapists offering Energy Psychology:

There are a number of therapists who work at Vets Centers, VA hospitals, military hospitals, or VA counseling centers, who are trained in Energy Psychology. Please note that some of these therapists work by phone as well as in person. This is a partial list. Please email us if you have additional names of such resources."

http://www.stressproject.org/vatherapists.html

The mere fact that VA hospitals are using these approaches is really exciting and goes a long way toward giving legitimacy for these 'new' therapies. The are using them because they are getting results.

Also if you feel you don't have the finances to fund this kind of therapy...

Multi City Iraq Vets PTSD Program:

If you're a combat veteran, you may qualify for get six FREE and completely confidential sessions of EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) coaching.

Several cities have therapists or life coaches offering EFT, and help is also available by phone. You fill in four quick one-page forms to determine if you're eligible for this fast and effective program. To see a 19 minute video of Vietnam and Iraq veterans speaking about their experiences click here. (please be aware that watching this video frequently brings up intense emotions).

To find a coach near you, please contact study coordinator Crystal Hawk. You will then be directed to the nearest coach who will send you forms to fill out to determine if you're eligible for this coaching. There are coaches in many cities, and many coaches work by telephone, so help is readily available.

Crystal Hawk, MEd
Phone 416-922-4325
Email Crystal

During Healthcare Speech, Obama Seeks To Reassure Those Insured Through VA

2009-09-15T12:34:00.005-06:00

Veterans will be relieved to hear that they won't have to change plans. Hopefully things will even improve with the new reforms!

[AP]
During a tense health care speech before a joint-session of Congress late Wednesday, President Barack Obama sought to reassure veterans that his health care reform proposal will not adversely affect veterans who rely on VA care. "Those who now are getting employer-provided coverage or are insured through Medicare, Medicaid or the Veterans Administration would not be required to change their plans or their physicians," he said.

EFT on OPRAH?!!

2009-09-10T18:33:00.007-06:00

lets hope so!
She is doing a special on ptsd and returning vets. Here's a great way to help a BIG population by going on the show and telling your story veterans. Here are some details...

PTSD: Suicide and Homicide in the Armed Forces
The Oprah Show will be investigating:
1) The high number of Soldiers being diagnosed with Combat-Related PTS...
2) The Skyrocketing Suicide Rate of Soldiers...
3) The Dramatic Increase of Domestic Abuse and Homicide by Soldiers once they return to the US.
Have you personally experienced a Suicide, Homicide or Physical Abuse caused by Combat-Related Post-Traumatic Stress? Are you fearful your loved one may have Combat-Related PTS? Do any of the statements below sound like something your spouse, parent, child, or friend might say or feel?
*I don't care about going to therapy anymore.
*Nothing is working out for me. I am never going to get better.
*No one cares about me or what I do. Whats the point of going on?
*Everyone is getting on my nerves lately.
*I just do not feel happy, even when I am around people that I know I love, so I have been isolating myself.
*I am beginning to feel really jumpy and on edge.
*My mood keeps changing rapidly. In minutes, I can go from feeling really happy to really down or terrified.
*I just do not have the energy to take care of myself in the morning. I have not showered for days.
*I've been drinking more, but just to take the edge off of my feelings a little.
Please share your story -- or someone you know -- below. We want to help. Thank you for serving our country.

Welcome to Healing Now!

2009-06-09T07:13:00.007-06:00

am forwarding this from Ingrid...
here is the link for more information...http://NewEFT4Vets.com

Welcome to Healing Now!

www.eftcoach.us
www.eft4vets.com

June 7th 2009

EFT4Vets 2 day workshop In Concord, NH (30" from Manchester airport)
June 27-28 2009 more info about EFT4Vets

Please forward this email to whoever might be interested in advanced EFT and helping Veterans and their families heal from the trauma of war. Thank You!

Hi Everyone,
as many of you know, I was invited to speak about EFT4Vets at the recent ACEP Conference (www.energypsych.org) in Orlando Florida. I also presented the first results of the first randomized research study "EFT for Combat Veterans" (http://www.stressproject.org, http://www.eft4vets.com).

The results are very promising.

Both presentations were very well received and resulted in wonderful new connections and support for EFT4Vets.

It was an exciting weekend (especially the last 15 minutes before the presentation, where I felt I had to completely redo my PPT...:-), and the night before, when my printer broke and I stayed up until 3:30am to learn how to use the new one and print out some worksheets...

There is so much to speak about, teach, demonstrate and practice with EFT4Vets. This work has truly become a spiritual journey, not just as an EFT coach, but as a Minister as well. I embrace all the lessons learned and am very grateful for my Veterans and the many wonderful teachers who have been sharing with me many of the insights that allow for me to do my work this way.

So in less than 3 weeks, on June 27th-28th 2009, I will be teaching the full EFT4Vets program with a new and expanded curriculum at the Holiday Inn in Concord, NH. I very much hope you can join us!

Even if you are not interested in working specifically with Veterans, the advanced methods that will be taught will enhance your skill level as an EFT practitioner greatly.

Here are some testimonials from the presentation:

"I so thoroughly enjoyed your breakour session and I loved your passion. There is so much to learn and do!" T.
" I loved meeting you in person! You are great, and so is your mission. I know we will interface in our lives." R.

EFT4Vets workshop
When: Sat-Sun, June 27th-28th 2009
Time: 9:00am-5:00pm
Where: Holiday Inn, 172 N.Main St., Concord, NH 03301 (30 min. from Manchester/Boston airport)
Cost: $275.- ($245.- when sign up before June 20th)
An wonderful, inexpensive Lunch buffet will be available

In this EFT4Vets 2 day workshop, attendees will learn how to use Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) skillfully and successfully with returning Veterans and their families.

EFT has been showing very convincing, positive and lasting results even for the release of severe combat trauma. Read the Research results! Watch the EFT for Combat Veterans video on the home page for a demonstration!

But helping Veterans and their families heal from the trauma of war often requires much more than just an effective tool to releasing past trauma. To truly understand how we can help a Soldier heal, we need to know more about the archetypal "warrior" and the spiritual and historical meaning of war as a rite of passage and initiation. We need to understand the specific circumstances of different wars, and the meaning behind the stories that the Veterans might only want to touch on. The Veterans Community is in many ways very different from "the outside world", and having insights about the unique needs and background can make all the difference for a healing.

Some of the topics that will be covered in this seminar are:
- Several hours of demonstration and practice
- Research and discussion about the situation of returning Veterans
- The archetype of the "Warrior"
- War as a rite of passage and initiation
- Establishing Trust and Rapport
- Introducing EFT concepts to Veterans
- How to begin with EFT
- Discussion of specific issues that need to be addressed
- Insights into war specific trauma
- Practice of different gentle EFT approaches, including making the right choices
- Reframing of traumatic memories
- Spiritual discussion of forgiveness
- Childhood issues in the context of war
- Discussion of issues that often occur together
- Proper goal setting for a session
- The legal and ethical boundaries of this work for licensed/non-licensed practitioners
- Insights into the situation of the military families
- Helping family members heal with EFT
- Outlook into the Future of EFT4Vets and support for returning Veterans and their families

A certificate of completion will be given at the end.
Please contact me with any questions you may have!

Hope to see you on the 27th!
Love
Ingrid

Please forward this email to whoever might be interested in advanced EFT and helping Veterans and their families heal from the trauma of war. Thank You!
http://eftcoach.us/NewEFT4Vetsdescription.html

Here is some news from the EFT Community ...

2009-05-22T01:56:00.002-06:00

A dedicated group of EFT'ers is voluntarily helping our war veterans. To date, 131 vets have enrolled in the project. A big thank you to Dawson Church, Crystal Hawk and the 64 EFT volunteers (many can do it by phone). The project is open to all vets who have served in the American Military (including nurses). Details

If you know someone who needs help but doesn't have the financial resources to get it, or simply doesn't know where to go, is tired of a run around, hasn't got the energy for the paperwork, then encourage them to get in touch with these folks. It's a great way to start feeling normal again!

successful use of EFT with an Iraq Veteran after 3 tours in Iraq

2009-04-13T00:54:00.010-06:00

Wondering if you or someone you love can ever get over those feelings of nightmares, flashbacks, chronic insomnia, irritable/angry, anxiety, hypervigilant, avoiding crowds?

Here is a real case of successful treatment in the hands of a competent therapist using EFT. This method DOES work, it's fast, it's easy and it's effective! It's drug free, it's inexpensive. And it's so exciting to see this kind of progress... someone who can with help, go from traumatized to calm, anxious to smiling, avoiding eye contact to making eye contact. Thank you to Gary Craig for developing EFT and to Sue Hannibal for sharing this story of your work with an Army Sergeant

By Sue Hannibal

Session one: Joshua 1/27/09

History: Army Sgt. age 27, 10 years in, male, three tours in Iraq - first tour 2003: 18 months, second tour 12 months, 2005-6, third tour 9 months, 2007-08 at which point he was MEDEVACed out for PTSD. He was sent to Landstuhl Army Medical Center in Germany for one week, then to Ft. Bragg, N.C. At Bragg he was given various drugs including anti-psychotics and anti-depressants, none of which helped. He’s not on any drugs at this date. He went to Army therapy for a year, most of which he described as "visualize about what happened and put a positive ending on it," which didn’t help. Symptoms he described: nightmares, flashbacks of three or four specific scenes, chronic insomnia, irritable/angry, anxiety/can't relax, hypervigilant, avoids crowds. At this date he is non-deployable and is on medical board list to be separated from the Army due to PTSD. He wants to heal and might stay in the Army.

Summary:

Joshua was referred by an Army doctor at Ft. Bragg. Two standard PTSD scales were administered prior to our first 90-minute session on Tues. Jan 27^th. PCL-M score 54, SA-45 score 99. The day after our session, Wednesday morning, he reported to the doctor and to me that he slept all night Tuesday without awakening and free of nightmares for the first time in over one year.

He came back for session two, three days later, on Friday... In the second session, we only did one round of tapping on a perception of never feeling safe in Iraq, but all other issues were already a zero. During treatment we addressed, in an indirect, non-retraumatizing way using the EFT Movie Technique, the worst memory of his entire time in Iraq, which occurred during the first tour - an ambush and fierce firefight where three soldiers were killed by RPGs in an unarmored humvee. His affect was nervous, subdued voice, shoulders forward, eyes down, fighting back tears and couldn't maintain eye contact with me.

His job was convoy security which was once a day seven days a week. He estimated the convoy was attacked four or five times per week, ranging from a spray of AK-47 bullets by an insurgent to IEDs (roadside bombs) to RPGs, (rock-propelled grenades) to full on ambushes. The first time he was in an IED attack, the humvee flipped over and he was thrown out of the back, lost his weapon and he had only his 9 mm handgun.

About 45 minutes into the session, we took a break. He reported that the charge on the ambush flashback/memory he titled "HELL" ("if that event was a movie, what would be the title?") was down to about a 4 or 5 from a 10+ on an intensity scale of 0 to 10. We continued treatment, his affect became more animated, he relaxed into the chair, smiled, eye contact began. At the end, when I asked what number on the 1 to 10 scale that HELL memory was now, he shrugged his shoulders, moved his head from side to side said, "I don't know, I feel really calm about it now, I think it's gone. I can remember what happened but I don't feel anything bad about it."

thanks to army.mil for the photo

More exciting news from IAVA and President Obama

2009-04-10T02:03:00.004-06:00

Thank you Paul Rieckhoff, IAVA for your hard work on moving the DOD and VA into the computer age and toward a cooperative effort that will benefit us ALL! This new seamless sharing of information and records will: help vets, increase quality of care, decrease waiting time, slash spending and eliminate the waste of unnessasary re-tests and misdiagnosis. Here's more explaination from Mr. Rieckhoff...

"Right now, there is no easy process for transferring service members' medical records from the DOD to the VA when they leave active duty. As a result, some of our most seriously wounded troops are suffering through redundant tests, misdiagnoses, and delayed treatment. This initiative will make medical and military records electronic and transferable, meaning a more streamlined, less bureaucratic process for our injured troops.

But this isn't just a matter of eliminating red tape. This change impacts the health, and lives, of the men and women who have served our country."

Today, IAVA and the nation's leading Veterans Services Organizations stood with President Obama, Secretary Gates and Secretary Shinseki at the White House to renew the nation's commitment to our newest generation of heroes.

Fulfilling two of his campaign promises, President Obama announced his support for advance funding the VA and ensuring a seamless transition between the VA and DOD healthcare, which will have a huge impact on the lives of troops and veterans.

Can you take a minute to join IAVA in thanking President Obama, Secretary Gates and Secretary Shinseki for making veterans and their families a priority? This is an important first step to giving our veterans the health care and benefits they've earned.

Click here to watch a quick video and add your name! http://www2.iava.org/o/436/t/8492/petition.jsp?petition_KEY=1906

This just in from Paul Rieckoff at IAVA!

2009-03-18T23:34:00.005-06:00

"Second, on what has proven to be a huge day for veterans, there has been another major development in Washington, DC. President Obama listened to IAVA and the other major veterans organizations, and made a critical decision to not move forward with a proposal to bill a veteran's private insurance for the cost of caring for a service-connected injury."

You can read his entire post on his blog at http://iava.org/blog

The Treatment of Combat Trauma in Veterans Using EFT

2009-02-25T11:16:00.005-07:00

by Dawson Church

The Treatment of Combat Trauma in Veterans using EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques): A Pilot Protocol. Traumatology, March

With a large number of US military service personnel coming back from Iraq with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and a variety of associated psychological problems, a need exists to find protocols and treatments that are effective for these conditions in brief treatment time frames. In this study, a sample of 11 veterans and family members were assessed for PTSD and other conditions. Evaluations were made using standard psychological evaluations, the SA-45 (Symptom Assessment 45) and the PCL-M (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist – Military). The study used a time-series, within-subjects, repeated measures design. A baseline measurement was obtained thirty days prior to treatment, and immediately before treatment began. Subjects were then treated with a brief and novel exposure therapy, EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques), for five days with 2 to 3 hours of treatment per day. Statistically significant improvements in the SA-45 and PCL-M scores were found at post-test. These gains were maintained at both the 30- and 90-day follow-ups on the general symptom index, positive symptom total and the anxiety, somatization, phobic anxiety, and interpersonal sensitivity subscales of the SA-45, and on PTSD. The remaining SA-45 scales improved post test but were not consistently maintained at the 30- and 90-day follow-ups. In summary, after EFT treatment, the group no longer scored positive for PTSD, the severity and breadth of their psychological distress decreased significantly, and most of their gains held over time. This suggests that EFT can be an effective post-deployment intervention.

Eternal love, Eternal Life

2009-02-22T07:26:00.002-07:00

Eternal love, Eternal Life
Originally uploaded by moemoechi

Most of us learned as barely more than infants that it is evil to kill. "Thou Shalt Not Kill." Not only is it traumatizing to constantly witness horror upon horror, but in combat soldiers are forced to do that which we are taught as children is evil.

Somehow that conflict has to be resolved. People cannot possibly live in any comfort until they have relieved the awful conflict and guilt. It is absurd to expect men and women to come home from combat and simply return to their former lives. It doesn't happen without a lot of help and a lot of work.

A PTSD audio self help program that might be worth trying.

2008-12-29T19:09:00.007-07:00

Ptsd Relief Self-help Audio Program

Great news, here's another self help/non medication program for helping you get over PTSD. I can't review it since I haven't seen the program but the web site looks very convincing and it has a money back guarantee. So take a look and see what you think. If anyone has a review for me I'm very interested to hear peoples experience! However there are several on the website if you want to read some yourself.

This method doesn't seem to be created specifically for veterans, but if it works for anyone with PTSD, then veterans can certainly benefit from it!

Here's that link again....

Ptsd Relief Self-help Audio Program

Man Helps Fellow Vets Heal Through Horses

2008-12-11T22:40:00.003-07:00

Here's another great healing tool available to veterans. It takes longer than EFT but can be a very powerful lifelong aid. Anybody who has animals can attest to the fact that they can really help make a bad day better. The list of studies with animals in care facilities, homes for the elderly, childrens hospitals all show very positive results. Thanks to CBS 4 Denver for the article.

Written By Tom Mustin

ELIZABETH, Colo. (CBS4) ― A local Vietnam veteran is using "horse power" to help his fellow soldiers recover from post traumatic stress disorder.

John Nash is using a practice called equine assisted psychotherapy. The treatment uses a horse's instinctive bond with humans to help the veterans heal emotionally and physically from life on the battlefield.

"Now there's hope. We're creating hope," says Nash.

CBS4's Tom Mustin spent the day at Nash's moon fall ranch in Elizabeth and watched the therapy in action.

"This is my passion. This is the only thing I want to do for the rest of my life," says Nash.

Two months ago Nash started "Combat Veterans Cowboy Up." The non-profit program includes classroom training and trail riding for veterans suffering from PTSD and other mental illnesses associated with combat. A certified psychotherapist is also on hand.

"The program will help them to trust again, help them integrate into society again," explains Nash. "Just increase their whole quality of life. That's the goal. The wounds that soldiers have with PTSD, you can't see but they are just as much a wound as a physical wound and in cases worse because it's unrelenting. It doesn't leave."

Nash has a special bond with his fellow veterans. He served in Vietnam with the Army's 1st cavalry. Three years ago he was diagnosed with severe depression and PTSD.

"I was at the very lowest I ever was. Pretty much ready to check out," he says.

Nash wandered into his barn and sat there for hours comforted only by his horse.

"The horse stayed by me with her head over me like she was protecting me, eventually she would nudge me like she was saying it's ok now you can go to bed."

Nash says he experienced right then the healing power of horses. He says it's a form of therapy that's become more and more accepted nationwide. He decided to use his experience to help his fellow vets.

Right now there are five veterans in the program including Navy veteran Denny Romero.

"This gets us away to where we feel we're free again and don't have to deal with any of the other stuff that goes on," says Romero.

Nash is planning to build a new arena and riding area to accommodate 50 veterans at a time. He says the group is running on a shoe string budget so any donations are greatly appreciated.

Meanwhile John Nash and his horses have "cowboyed up" to change lives.

"I am so proud to have fought for our country. I always was," he says. "This is my purpose. We wonder why we survived. I know now why I survived. It's to run this program and help as many as I can."

Additional Resources:

http://combatveteranscowboyup.org/

2 spaces left!

2008-12-11T11:06:00.002-07:00

Ingrid Dinter writes...

The first ever:
EFT4Vets
Life seminar

watch the EFT for Combat Veterans video on www.eft4vets.com

Learn top notch EFT techniques, gain insights, enhance your effectiveness

Helping Veterans and their families heal

Hi Everyone,
this is the last reminder of the EFT4Vets workshop this Saturday.

This class has filled without much announcement, which is very exciting. There are two spaces left, if you are interested in joining us.

What is EFT4Vets:
EFT4Vets is an advanced EFT program for practitioners who wish to help Veterans who suffer from Combat Stress.

Using a combination of different media, coaching, in depth training with advanced EFT approaches, insights into the world of Veterans and a multitude of techniques to help them, I will help you feel prepared to working with Veterans and their families.

One of the Veterans I am working with has volunteered to do some sessions during the class, so that you can experience the power of EFT with Veterans.

We will use the manuscript of an e-book chapter that I wrote for Gary Craig. Part of this will be published in his new book about using EFT for PTSD. Here is the link on amazon, so that you can get a preview: http://www.amazon.com/EFT-PTSD-Gary-Craig

Please email me (ingrid@eft4vets.com) so that I can send you the information you need.

Looking forward to seeing you on Saturday!
Hugs
Ingrid

yet another VET getting relief from PTSD related symptoms!

2008-11-10T06:09:00.005-07:00

Here's another successful treatment of combat PTSD of a veteran who had been at the V.A. seeking help. Thanks to Jan Luckenbach for sharing this story. If you don't know how to do the tapping she is talking about and would like to learn more here's a link...

http://www.emofree.com/get started for FREE

By Jan Luckenbach

I was asked to a cookout at a friend’s house and met Ron, one of her neighbors, at the party. At first glance, he had the look of a hollow eyed man that you see hanging around the corners downtown. His face was careworn and he had a depressed, miserable look to him. He managed a wan, toothless smile when I was introduced to him, and then he returned to picking at his plate of uneaten food.

I don’t know how the subject came up but he began telling me he went to the V.A. because he was having difficulty swallowing. They told him he had an ear infection and gave him antibiotics. That was 2 weeks ago and he hasn’t been able to eat or drink much since. He was in terrible agony every time he swallowed. He even went to the emergency room at one point because the pain was so intense that he couldn’t even drink water. I told him I could show him something that MIGHT be able to help him. At this point, I think he would have stood on his head if he thought it would help.

We adjourned to his apartment next door and I carefully explained the EFT process. We went through all the points and I tapped along with him. After telling me some of his history, of alcoholism, his wife’s suicide, some terrible war memories, PTSD, insomnia and other assorted ailments, I realized he was in need of professional help. He said he was being seen at the V.A. for his problems. (I am a former Psych Nurse, so I really understood him.)

So, as he brought up some of these issues, we tapped generally using the set-up “Even though I have this memory…” I felt it would give him some practice in the tapping procedure and it might free up some of his energy. As we tapped and he became more comfortable with the process, I decided to tap on his inability to swallow.

His eyes nearly bugged out of his head when for the first time in 2 weeks he could swallow without pain after one round of tapping. After tapping on forgiving the doctors for not being able to help him, he smiled at me and said he didn’t believe it.

His whole countenance had changed. Gone were his furrowed brow and painful expression. He said even the trembling in his hands was better, holding out a barely moving hand. He said he couldn’t write because of the “shakes” and now that had improved as well.

He was hesitant to try eating because he was afraid that the pain would come back. I explained if it did, there might be something else that he had to tap on, as I had explained earlier. He seemed to understand and went to test the healing.

He very gingerly took a sip of water and looked at me with gratitude. No pain! He smiled and decided to eat a piece of cheesecake. I could see that the pain had not returned. Even though he was essentially fasting for 2 weeks, I will never forget the look of sheer pleasure he had on his face when he took that first delicious bite of blueberry cheesecake and swallowed without pain.

Jan Luckenbach

Have you seen this clip? It's VERY exciting news on healing PTSD for Vets.

2008-11-01T09:39:00.009-06:00

It's VERY encouraging. Families, if your vet can't or won't get help right now...have faith, watch this video on actual filmed evidence of the effectiveness of this technique.

Gary Craig writes..."In March of this year 5 EFT experts and myself spent 5 days helping PTSD ridden war vets. The impressive results were all captured on film and a preliminary video is now available for you to view. A grander version, including more recent follow-ups, should be available within 3 months." Here's that link Help with PTSD for veterans

It's 19 minutes of information on how and why this new method of healing works so well. Not airy fairy ideas but hard facts and actual interviews. So families- watch this video without your vet first, then have your vet watch it with you if you think they are able to. THERE IS A SOLUTION! And many practitioners are offering their time free of charge for veterans and military spouses.
thanks to Tom T. for the photo!

EFT healing Military Sexual Trauma for a non-combat veteran.

2008-10-26T03:28:00.008-06:00

Thanks to Ingrid Dinter for sharing this story of a women veteran (we'll call Joanna) who has suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and her progress with Emotional Freedom Technique. This is only a part of the story, for the full article click here.

“ Joanna ” is a non-combat veteran with severe PTSD who has been on medical disability since 1993. In addition to her PTSD, Joanna suffered from severe Military Sexual Trauma (MST) and childhood sexual trauma. When Joanna agreed to try EFT, she did so out of a sense of desperation.

She was open to alternative healing and had tried many things, but nothing had truly brought her the relief she wanted and needed. I remember the first conversation with her being full of resentment and mistrust about EFT. She was willing to give it a try though, to work on her sleep issues, so we connected.

Joanna had excelled as a female in the military, being the first ever woman to join a very tough elite troop. Rescuing others from life threatening situations, she had to put her life at risk often several times a day, and it was usually the night when they got the most calls to rescue someone.

So Joanne had learned that the night wasn’t safe.

In addition to the resentment against her father, she suffered from many rapes, some by relatives of friends, and some within the military. There was so much harassment in her life, that she at some point just shrug her shoulders about it. After an accident, she was finally bullied out of her job.

So we had a lot of clean up to do.

here's what Joanne had to say after her first appointment...

“I managed not to wake up last night and slept the whole night through. YEA!! Yesterday, I noticed that I wanted to "pick-up" my old emotional trauma/baggage around the accident in 1993. I kept revisiting the accident and after our EFT session the emotional trauma/baggage was gone. Yet I kept wanting to find the old baggage because it has been with me for so long, it’s comfortable and it’s what I know and it felt awkward and exposed without it. I recognized what I was doing and did some self-talk, self-encouragement and was able to just let myself be without trying to re-find of my emotional baggage by treating myself with love and compassion.”

Joanne had seen many casualties and people dying in very drastic situations, but the molestation topped them all. So we took several events from her childhood and, again, released the emotional intensity she felt about them.

In my experience, many Veterans and people with PTSD symptoms never feel that they arrive in the present. They keep reliving their trauma from years ago, and their minds function as if the trauma was still happening. So they feel threatened in their daily life, surrounding themselves with weapons and defense mechanisms. Joanna was no different.

However, when we put the time in between, she realized that her life for the past fifteen years had been very different that the beginning of her life. She realized that she had been safe and, even though she was well prepared to defend herself, she never had to use her weapon.

So it was appropriate for her to assume that her life was different and safe now, and she could allow herself to relax.

In her email after the fourth session, she described the results of our work as follows:

“Here is my 15th day of my sleep log.

I am doing well. I went to bed after using EFT again on my sleep. I went to bed and slept well without any prescription medication to sleep. I also didn't wake up at any time during the night. I felt safer and more at peace when I went to bed than ever before. I realized that I carry over my sleep deficient. If I didn't "get enough sleep", I'd carry it over to the next day and think "I need to make up for it tonight" and I'd be anxious to "make sure I sleep enough tonight." Using EFT before I went to bed last night, I reminded myself that I have choices and that there are no rules about sleeping. I also tapped on releasing my old beliefs about sleeping and let my body be the gauge of how much sleep I get every night. I felt lighter and more at peace after tapping and went to bed. Slept soundly. Still tired and sleepy, yet somewhat refreshed. I think this EFT is working.”

Joanna realized that she had joined the army to learn the techniques she needed to keep herself safe, a direct consequence of the constant threat she lived under as a child and adolescent. So we tapped on her finding peace with that reality and claiming her power back from her past.

I asked Joanne if she was willing to write a testimonial about her healing experience, and here is her personal report:

“Ingrid,

I had already tried group counseling; PTSD awareness training; Veteran’s Administration individual counseling for many years; Transcendental Meditation; metaphysical training (including candle magic, crystal and gemstone magic, and numerology); herbology and herbal remedies; Vimala Handwriting by Vimala Rogers; astrology; Native American healing beliefs; prescribed pharmaceuticals; Western medicine; chiropractic care; New Age healing techniques such as pendulum dowsing and chakra cleansing; University of New Mexico PTSD Sleep Study and Nightmare Reduction; Veteran’s Administration Group therapy many times; nutritional education; self-help books; and almost any other suggestion by any health care worker.

“I still couldn’t fall asleep. I couldn’t remain asleep without waking up repeatedly during the night. And I was plagued by repeated traumatic nightmares every night. Sleep was my enemy and I fought it every night, waking up exhausted and tired. I obsessed about sleep because I was always in sleep deficit. I would get very distressed if I stayed up late, yet couldn’t seem to go to bed until late because I dreaded the nightmares. I wouldn’t take naps during the day because it would make getting to sleep more difficult at night. The things that I tried helped very little.

I gave EFT a chance and I was thrilled with the results. Within two sessions, I felt myself release all the associated trauma, emotions, and obsessions that interfered with my sleep. Sleep became an easy and gentle activity free from worry and fretting. No longer am I afraid of going to sleep or of even how much sleep I receive. Today I let my body tell me when to sleep instead of rigorously following a clock. Sleep today is a joy that refreshes my body and rejuvenates my soul. I wake up earlier than I used to and I need less sleep than before. Sometimes the associated old beliefs about sleep come up but now I utilize EFT to release them. Quick. Easy. Gentle. No more nightmares. No more fighting sleep.”

It was not easy for Joanna to get started and trust such a different technique and healing approach, and she can be very proud of herself for hanging in there and not giving into her fears and resentment before she allowed EFT to do it’s magic.

A statistical background:

To be able to monitor Joanne’s progress,, I asked her to fill out an informed consent form and keep a daily sleep journal. We also used two well established, standardized research tools: The SA-45 and the PCL-M, both of which are explained on my website.

Results:

Within ten days and four EFT sessions, “Joanna’s” SA-45 score fell from 162 before the first session to 97 after the last. Her PCL-M score fell from 76 to 47 (a score of 50 and higher is considered PTSD for military personnel).

Joanna and I will have some more cleanups to do in relation to her military experiences and the chronic physical pain that she feels. But this is a great start!

New Treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Delivers Rapid, Long Lasting Results for Iraqi War Veterans--No Drugs Necessary

2008-10-24T00:43:00.002-06:00

San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) -- Stanford engineer Gary Craig introduces EFT, a new "acupuncture without needles" technique for helping Iraqi War Veterans gain relief from their Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

EFT stands for Emotional Freedom Techniques and involves the stimulation of certain meridian points on the body by tapping on them with the fingertips. This stimulation has been clinically shown in thousands of cases to dramatically reduce, or completely eliminate, the sting of trauma.

"Conventional psychology has been looking in the wrong place for clues to the PTSD puzzle," says Craig. "We have found repeatedly that the nightmares, sweats and intrusive memories of our war veterans occur because their war memories disrupt the proper flow of their bodies' subtle energies."

"Once these energies have been properly balanced," maintains Craig, "the war veteran couldn't get upset about the memory if s/he tried. This is also true for other emotional issues including phobias, grief, rape, depression and anger."

Susan Hannibal is a San Diego therapist and consistent user of EFT who often feels frustrated with the military's use of conventional and ineffective methods for PTSD. "One of the biggest problems facing our military today is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder," she says, "but no one in authority wants to break new ground and use the most effective treatment available."

"Even when they don't sustain physical injuries," says Hannibal, "their lives can go into a tailspin. Traumatic memories are an underlying cause of health problems, social isolation, domestic violence, divorce, alcohol and drug abuse, and shattered families."

Everyone agrees that conventional treatments do little to help. Psychiatric drugs can dull or numb PTSD symptoms, but drugs have side effects and do nothing to address the disorder's underlying cause. Conventional talk therapy can even make the problem worse by reinforcing traumatic memories.

But Hannibal and other EFT practitioners worldwide routinely neutralize haunting memories - in soldiers, accident or abuse victims, and survivors of disasters - in record time. The simple EFT process often does its job in one or two sessions and, in some cases, has done it in minutes.

One of Hannibal's clients is Navy Corpsman Wilbur Hurley. Just before leaving Iraq, he had to deal with a young Marine's suicide. That event triggered memories of a murder-suicide Hurley witnessed as a child, and he began having vivid nightmares. Returning home, he isolated himself from friends and family and suffered debilitating anxiety attacks, flashbacks, auditory hallucinations, anger, and irritability.

Hurley's symptoms disappeared when Hannibal taught him EFT. After his first session, which Hannibal videotaped, Hurley left her office singing. "It was pretty much the greatest day of my life," he said. Even when he concentrated on the worst events he witnessed in Ramadi, he couldn't find a single memory that bothered him.

Corpsman Hurley has remained free of PTSD symptoms since his three-session treatment in December 2004.

Results like these don't surprise Gary Craig. In 1994, Craig and a colleague visited a Veterans Administration hospital in California, where they worked on-camera with six Vietnam War veterans.

"These men hadn't had a moment's peace in 20 years," says Craig. "Their lives revolved around their terrifying memories." But after just a few minutes of tapping, all of the men experienced profound release.

"Traumatic memories and phobias usually respond quickly to EFT," he says, "and the results are often permanent. EFT not only prevents post-traumatic memories from causing problems, it successfully treats memories that are decades old."

Despite the dramatic results achieved by patients at the VA hospital, says Craig, none of the staff were interested.

Today the Department of Veterans Affairs pays compensation for PTSD to nearly twice as many veterans as it did six years ago, at an annual cost of $4.3 billion. Most recent applicants are Vietnam War veterans.

"It would be wonderful if military chaplains, counselors, and psychologists learned EFT and taught it to everyone," says Hannibal, "but it's so different from what they're used to that no one knows what to make of it."

In addition, she says, there is still a bias against seeking help in all branches of the military. "It's cultural conditioning," she says. "It's unfortunate."

The EFT basics can be learned by anyone by downloading the free EFT Manual from Craig's website at

http://www.emofree.com/downloadeftmanual.asp

EFT for Iraq veterans suffering from PTSD for FREE!!!!!

2008-09-15T13:01:00.002-06:00

More good news from Gary Craig and the EFT team. This help is free and in the California area. With so many bases, this is a great place to have this project available to veterans wanting to heal the post traumatic stress symptoms that they may be suffering. If you or someone you know or love is having a hard time getting life back to normal after Iraq or Afghanistan, get to LA or San Francisco and get some help! The e-mail to Eric Huurre is below and good luck!!

EFT for our Iraq vets--no charge: As you may know, we have been filming some spectacular results with our PTSD burdened war veterans. Nightmares have faded, sleep has improved, intrusive thoughts and flashbacks have been minimized, etc. We are looking to complete this project with Iraq vets located in the Los Angeles or San Francisco areas. To be eligible, you must have recent Iraq/Afghanistan combat experience and be diagnosed with PTSD. Gary Craig and/or an EFT expert will work with you personally on camera without any cost to you whatsoever. If interested please write to our film's producer, Eric Huurre, at eric@skywriter.ca. Please write with some details about yourself or the person you are recommending for consideration. We are particularly interested in veterans with spouses or partners who would be prepared to appear on camera and also undergo EFT treatments on camera. Your story could help the lives of multitudes of your combat brothers and sisters.

PTSD treatment successful for retired soldier

2008-08-26T12:38:00.011-06:00

This just in from healing innovator Tapas Fleming. Tapas Acupressure Technique^® or TAT^® is is a leading-edge healing technique to end stress, create vibrant good health and live a happy life. Tapas has developed this technique that is AMAZINGLY easy to do and has excellent results with traumatic stress sufferers. The link at the bottom of the article will take you to her site where you can download a free manual that will walk you through how to use TAT for traumas. So from her latest newsletter...

Dear Friends,

Brian Davis came to the workshop for combat veterans just to prove that we were wrong – he planned to call us down for offering something that wouldn’t help soldiers. The first night of the workshop, he decided to work on the very worst trauma that ever happened to him in combat. Right after he returned for the second night, he told us that he had dreamed of his children for the first time ever and that he’d slept well for the first time in years. He explained that previously, he’d typically wake up 15 times a night in one combat situation or another, pace through his home, sleep restlessly again and finally greet the day in a torn up bed. Now, the bedding next to him was smooth and unruffled from his peaceful sleep. Our team was in tears hearing that he’d dreamt of his children. Click here to read his story in more detail as reported in the local Columbus, Georgia newspaper.

We’re grateful to the local community for supporting this workshop. It was a privilege to join the soldiers, their spouses and children in this life-changing journey.

Love,
Tapas

If that sounds interesting to you I encourage you to try out this technique for yourself. It can help everything from PTSD to the stress of living with someone who has Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. click here for FREE BOOKLET then let me know how you do with it!

EFT offering free help to Veterans

2008-08-23T12:53:00.006-06:00

this just in from the EFT website...

Now, the Iraq Vets Stress Project, which offers EFT to ALL veterans free of charge, and which many of you have supported with your donations, is launching a nationwide study of vets with PTSD (whether or not they served in Iraq). If you know of a veteran who is suffering from nightmares, health problems, flashbacks, insomnia, or some of the other symptoms of PTSD, please encourage them to apply for the study. Help is available in many cities, as well as over the phone. Go to http://www.StressProject.org/multicitystudy.html for details. You can also call Crystal Hawk at 416-922 4325 if you have questions or need direction.

it's a great opportunity to get a vet you know and love some FREE help!! The success they have had on previous studies have encourage and lead them to offer more help. The exciting thing is they are looking at long term changes for the better, with this relatively new and VERY easy technique.

ptsdcombat.blogspot.com Thanks to Ilona Meagher for the cool poster!

Troops' brain injuries inspire a new mission

2008-07-24T07:25:00.011-06:00

USA TODAY

LANDSTUHL, Germany — It took nearly three years for the Army to understand the damage to Army Sgt. Chad Joiner's brain after a roadside explosion left him unconscious in a Humvee on June 28, 2005.

He finished his tour and returned home, struggled with headaches and memory loss, went back to Iraq and survived another bombing in February that aggravated his symptoms.

Only after arriving here at the Army's Landstuhl Regional Medical Center with an ankle injury in February did a new and aggressive screening program finally identify Joiner's brain injury and lead to treatment. "I'm just in shock that somebody is figuring out what's wrong with me," says Joiner, 26, who says his gratitude for the treatment outweighs any bitterness over the delay in diagnosing his injury.

The Pentagon debated for years whether to systematically screen troops for brain injuries such as Joiner's. A recent study by RAND Corp., a research group, says such injuries could have affected 320,000 Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans. Uncertain how aggressively to identify a wound that is still largely a mystery, the Pentagon initially resisted calls to screen all service members coming out of the battlefield. Under pressure from Congress, the Pentagon in March ordered all military branches to screen for traumatic brain injury (TBI).

By then, doctors at this key Army hospital — through which all war casualties pass on their way home — already had begun to check each of the wounded for a brain injury in an effort that could set new standards for whether such troops ever return to duty.

This is wonderful news for current troops coming out of combat. Perhaps veterans will be able to avail themselves of this technology also in the future. It certainly will help reduce the stigma of PTSD and brain trauma related injuries. Which in turn will lead to better awareness, which in turn will lead to broader search for effective solutions.

One of which is Emotional Freedom Technique. Some of the things I like about EFT are: you or your soldier can start using it TODAY! it's really inexpensive, it brings quick relief, it is drug free, it is so easy to do. And it can reverse these unseen injuries.

Side effects? Well more energy, more joy, more freedom to live a normal life, more engagement in the present, less depression, less fear, less anger, better sleep-I could go on and on but you get the idea!

thanks for the photo by foreignobsessed

We sent them to war, let's send them to college!

2008-07-12T14:26:00.003-06:00

We send them to war, why can't we send them to college?

This is IAVA's excellent slogan for the G.I Bill that was signed in June. After lots of hard work it's a reality. Here is a web link for veterans to find out more about how they can take advantage of the benefits they have earned...http://www.gibill2008.org/

Hats off to two of the main co-sponsors of the legislation, Senators Jim Webb (D-VA) and Chuck Hagel (R-NE), along with Patrick Campbell, IAVA's Legislative Director, and Paul Rieckhoff, IAVA's Executive Director.

PTSD vets? They will need help!

2008-07-06T10:52:00.010-06:00

One thing many returning vets feel is an isolation from everything familiar, everything they left behind, and everyone they left behind. Being with other vets can help ease the pain but it doesn't start the healing process.

Teach your vet the basics of tapping and work with them as they do it. Even if you are both beginners you can help them experience some relief after only 1 session. Here is a link to download the FREE 'get started' package.

I recommend buying the DVD set-it's fairly inexpensive and you can legally make up to 10 copies, if you've got friends who can use some help too. Then watch them WITHOUT your vet first. Spend some time learning how to do the tapping and what to say. That will get you started. Click here to order the DVD's.

If you don't want to tackle this alone there are many competent EFT practitioners that you can find on the EFT web site. Click here for some tips on how to find a good practitioner.

thanks to Kristofer Martinelli for the photo from flikr!

Parents-soldiers will need your help!

2008-06-09T00:36:00.007-06:00

Time Magazine reports-

"For the first time in history, a sizable and growing number of U.S. combat troops are taking daily doses of antidepressants to calm nerves strained by repeated and lengthy tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. The medicines are intended not only to help troops keep their cool but also to enable the already strapped Army to preserve its most precious resource: soldiers on the front lines."

This is what one combat sergent discovered after some heavy missions...

"LeJeune visited a military doctor in Iraq, who, after a quick session, diagnosed depression. The doctor sent him back to war armed with the antidepressant Zoloft and the antianxiety drug clonazepam. "It's not easy for soldiers to admit the problems that they're having over there for a variety of reasons," LeJeune says. "If they do admit it, then the only solution given is pills."

... any drug that keeps a soldier deployed and fighting also saves money on training and deploying replacements. But there is a downside: the number of soldiers requiring long-term mental-health services soars with repeated deployments and lengthy combat tours. If troops do not get sufficient time away from combat — both while in theater and during the "dwell time" at home before they go back to war — it's possible that antidepressants and sleeping aids will be used to stretch an already taut force even tighter. "

These kids coming back will have several issues to deal with. May of them simply won't be able to coop on their own. Much less to try and get their lives back to normal. Adding drugs to the mix may effectively hide symptoms, but don't be fooled. They will need extra time, care, attention and love to aid healing. (At a time when they may accept it from you least.)

Take care of yourself first, so that you can be your best, calmest, most loving self, in order to start to help them find a way out of the downward spiral they may find themselves in. To help both you and them-look into complementary health alternatives as a way to assist the mental and physical healing. Reiki, aromatherapy, cranial sacral, reflexology, EMDR, Quantum Touch, the list goes on and on. And though the healing stories may be largely antidoctal-the vast quantity of them is to large to ignore!

Our favorite is EFT www.emofree.com. It's inexpensive, it can be done over the telephone, can be done in groups or alone, with or without the help of a professional, (although at first we recommend finding an expert practitioner) and has no side effects. Once you learn how, the whole family can use it.

Illustration by Lon Tweeten and D.W. Pine for TIME

We're hard-wired to survive-that's what causes PTSD.

2008-05-20T13:27:00.003-06:00

There are those who deny that in spite of being in combat they do not suffer from PTSD. I do not believe this is possible.

As humans, we are hard-wired to survive. When our survival is threatened it messes with that hard wiring. As humans, we have no choice but to shut down. That's what PTSD is—shutting down and putting a block in our energy system so we don't have to deal with a traumatic event.

While avoidance is a helpful reaction in the short run, it is extremely harmful in the long run. Until the blockage is cleared and the trauma released unwanted symptoms will continue to plague.

As trauma is piled upon trauma the situation is compounded. Something must be done to relieve the pressure or like a boiler, the person will explode.

Smells are key links to healing PTSD

2008-05-18T09:17:00.006-06:00

The olfactory system (the sense of smell) is the only sensory system that is connected directly to the brain. Other senses must pass through the thalamus and be routed to the brain. Because of this the sense of smell has a powerful emotional impact on us.

Knowing this there is no mystery about why odors such as cordite or blood trigger delayed reactions in returning veterans.

It is also the reason that certain odors are just as powerful in calming emotions. Aromatherapy is another inexpensive, effective, and seldomly used aid that can help heal soldiers who suffer from the effects of combat. When it is correctly used-there are no side effects, it can be used anywhere, it's easy to use, and the price of a good quality essential oil (and that's all you should be using) is far less than an ongoing prescription of Xanax or Zoloft. Contact a local massage therapist or aromatherapist for more guidance on how essential oils can help.

Combating P.T.S.D. and Preventing Suicides

2008-05-14T02:04:00.005-06:00

by Jennifer Litz
Del Rio LIVE!

Pat Dugan was a reconnaissance marine corporal in Vietnam for 19 months, starting in 1966. He’s now a passionate voice for veteran help that resounds throughout West Texas. “I am seeing one of the biggest mushroom clouds,” Dugan says of times ahead for Iraq/Afghanistan veterans. “’... there are no front lines in this war. You can be [in a non-combat service] and get your butt blown off the road there with anyone else. Everyone’s sitting around waiting for an explosion to go off, and they send you back and back for more tours.”

When these vets do come back home—or in between myriad deployments—they’re still fighting—for their benefits. “In Del Rio, for example, we’ve got people with problems,” Dugan says. “And they have to travel 150 miles to get help [at a VA clinic]. And then when you get up there, I’m not being mean, but when you go up there and apply to get help, you get some VA muffin that’s not a veteran, and they put you through mental gymnastics like you wouldn’t believe. [Vets] don’t want to be humiliated and go through that process.”

This is a great article on a upcoming progressive treatment center for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in Texas. Dugan points out 3 classic problems for getting treatment from traditional sources for PTSD...
1. fighting for benefits
2. traveling 150 miles to get help from a VA clinic
3. humiliation of the process
That's what I like about using EFT for this population. Once they know how to do it, they can start healing without the fighting, traveling or waiting. They can work with a practitioner or they can work on their own. They can use the Emotional Freedom Technique at home, on the road, sitting in traffic-anywhere. They can find a buddy to do it with. And if they can't do it on their own-family members, friends and spouses can do it with them. How many therapies can you say that about?

Getting help for PTSD related to the "combat environment" will no longer be a reason to deny security clearances

2008-05-05T01:21:00.008-06:00

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, right, walked out of the Restoration & Resilience Center at Fort Bliss after touring it Thursday. (Rudy Gutierrez / El Paso Times)

Bracing against a blasting wind that reminded him of his native Kansas, U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates spent a day at Fort Bliss touring a mental health center, watching a demonstration of the Army's newest technology, and meeting with soldiers and community leaders.

Gates had high praise for a Fort Bliss center designed to treat soldiers suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and return them to their units -- a center he said would serve as a prototype for the Army.

"They are doing some amazing things here in terms of helping soldiers who want to remain soldiers but who have been wounded with post-traumatic stress disorder," Gates said of the Restoration and Resilience Center. "I think it's an extraordinary program. ..... And one of the things that I will carry back to Washington with me is the question of whether we can replicate this at other posts around the country."

During a morning press conference in front of the center, Gates also formally announced a change in government policy he said would allow soldiers to seek help for PTSD without hurting their careers.

Getting help for PTSD related to the "combat environment" will no longer be a reason to deny security clearances, he said.

The Fort Bliss center is also looking at finding ways to help soldiers in combat zones deal with stress, Gates said, adding that those techniques "are clearly worth additional attention as well."

Changing the way the military and public in general feel about the stigma of PTSD is a HUGE step forward in admitting that this is a normal affliction of war. For the Secretary of Defense to announce this policy change says alot about the new climate of acceptance and healing. It's interesting that they are looking at therapies just as EFT is starting to become a mainstream solution to this type of disorder.

Well done Montana National Guard!

2008-04-28T01:36:00.006-06:00

Montana Guard confronts post-combat stress head-on in wake of suicide
By ERIC NEWHOUSE
Tribune Projects Editor

HELENA — Montana's National Guard is becoming a model of how to help service members adjust to post-combat stress.

"Montana has gone beyond the level of other states in the country, and I applaud that," said Capt. Joan Hunter, a U.S. Public Service officer who was recently designated the director of psychological health for the National Guard Bureau in Washington, D.C. "They saw an emergency need, studied the problems and make some significant improvements," Hunter said Friday.

State Adjutant General Randy Mosley said that the effort stems from a former Montana soldier who didn't get the help he needed and who killed himself a year ago."We want to make sure we're doing everything we can to help our people and their families pick up the pieces for the problems that may have begun during their deployment in Iraq," Mosley said last week.

"The Guard has done an unbelievable job in changing," said Matt Kuntz, a Helena attorney and stepbrother of the late Spc. Chris Dana, who killed himself March 4, 2007. At the time, Dana was having trouble handling weekend drills after returning from combat in Iraq. He was given a less-than-honorable discharge and then shot himself a few days later."It takes a lot for a big organization that does a lot of things right to look for what they did wrong and address those flaws," Kuntz said. "I'm really impressed with what they've done."

The first thing Montana put in place was crisis response teams, then they backed that up with assessing service members' mental health every six months for two years after deployment. This goes beyond the recommended guidelines laid out by the Department of Defense. While Montana is the only state doing this for the moment, their success may pave the way for other states to launch similar programs.

As always, many service men and woman are still concerned about the stigma of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (for a further career in the military or out) and understandably don't seek help. With this courageous, caring change- we may be seeing the beginning of a new understanding about PTSD within the military.

Helping a Loved One when they return from military duty

2008-04-24T09:10:00.007-06:00

U.S. soldiers are deployed for 15 month combat tours (although this is supposed to change to 12 months in August), and marines for seven months. Readjusting to life in the states can be a huge challenge. About 12 percent of soldiers suffer from anxiety, depression, post-combat stress and other problems during their first tour, according to an Army survey, and that rises to 27 percent of those on their third or fourth combat tours. The long and repeated separations also take a toll on marriages, as more soldiers are reporting related marriage problems.

One of the best things for someone who has just gone through a traumatic event like combat, to do is to learn how to let go of the negative images and experiences in their head, and the feelings associated with them. Easy to say I know, but many energy treatments can help with this, reiki, quantum touch, energetic balancing of all kinds have the potential to bring immediate relief, by treating the cause, not the symptom.

It's also very important for the family and friends of the soldier to take care of their own needs. The job of welcoming home someone who may have become a stranger and running a household, while working and or raising a family is extremely stressful. Learning to do EFT can help you to stay in good shape (emotionally and physically) while you are helping others.

We like EFT because once you learn how to do it, you can work with a practitioner or on your own. It's easy to do, you can do it without expensive equipment or lengthy training, you can take it with you and you can do for someone else.

Sometimes those who need it most, are the least capable of helping themselves.

2008-04-17T03:24:00.005-06:00

But there is hope. Combat soldiers or veterans suffering from PTSD are often unable to get out of their confusion or depression long enough to seek help for themselves. It often takes time, research, focus and patience. These things are exactly what many sufferers DON'T have.

Here's where family, spouses and friends can help. Surrogate EFT can be amazingly effective. That is to say, doing Emotional Freedom Technique exercises for another person works! It may not be the "end-all" but it may be just the incentive needed to get the PTSD sufferer to the point where they can start working to heal him or herself.

It's similar to tuning into a radio station on your car radio. You don't have to drive to the station and sit in the studio to enjoy the program. It works on frequencies and wave lengths to transfer the music right to your car (without even being plugged into anything!)

Once you learn how to do the tapping on yourself, try surrogate tapping on a simple issue with a friend or child and you'll see for yourself how effective it can be. You can download this free booklet by clicking on this link...

free booklet on EFT tapping

More great news!! The Army is looking at complimentary healing.

2008-04-01T07:21:00.007-06:00

Well what an amazing opening. Looks like the government is ready for some new ideas. My guess is they've got a bigger problem than they have answers for and have already started seeing some successes from the alternative/complementary health arena.

It's wonderful that they are ready to look into ANYTHING to find some help for this new population. OK, well not new. Ask any WW1 vet, WW2 vet, Korean war vet, Vietnam vet, Falkland vet, Gulf War vet, Afghanistan vet or Iraq vet about PTSD. It hasn't always been called that but it's always been the result of war.

And it does show an exciting potential for healing!!

The government is spending 4$ million to look at alternative healing for Vets.

2008-03-28T06:30:00.006-06:00

Army's New PTSD Treatments: Yoga, Reiki, 'Bioenergy'

By Noah Shachtman

The military is scrambling for new ways to treat the brain injuries and post-traumatic stress of troops returning home from war. And every kind of therapy -- no matter how far outside the accepted medical form -- is being considered. The Army just unveiled a $4 million program to investigate everything from "spiritual ministry, transcendental meditation, [and] yoga" to "bioenergies such as Qi gong, Reiki, [and] distant healing" to mend the psyches of wounded troops.

As many as 17 percent of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans have some form of post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, one congressional study estimates. Nearly 3,300 troops have suffered traumatic brain injury, or TBI, according to statistics assembled last summer. And the lifetime costs of treating these ailments could pile up to as much as $35 billion, a Columbia University report guesses.

Small wonder, then, that the government is looking for alternate means to treat these injuries. The Defense Department "is dedicated to supporting evidence-based approaches to medical treatment and wants to support the use of alternative therapies if they are proven efficacious," notes a recently-issued request for proposals.

"Music, animal-facilitated therapy, art, dance/movement, massage therapy, EMDR [Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing] program evaluation, virtual reality, acupuncture, spiritual ministry, transcendental meditation, [and] yoga," might all be considered worth of the military's largess. So would "biologically-based treatments, botanicals, and nutritional supplements for enhancing cognitive function and mood in patients with trauma spectrum disorders, including TBI and/or PTSD, depression, anxiety, and/or substance dependence/abuse." Even proposals for wild-sounding "therapies using bioenergies such as Qi gong, Reiki, distant healing and acupuncture" would be accepted.

Was the side effect of this medication Death?

2008-03-17T03:48:00.012-06:00

The Cost of War by Julie Robinson

Staff writer Charleston Gazette

Stan and Shirley White of Cross Lanes remember they were at a restaurant that day - Sept. 26, 2005. They were talking about their youngest son, Andrew, and about how happy they were to have him home safe from Iraq.

Then, Shirley's cell phone rang.

It was their daughter-in-law on the other end - the wife of their middle son, Bob, who was stationed in Afghanistan with the Army. Bob's Humvee had been hit by a rocket-propelled grenade. He was gone.

Now, 2 1/2 years later - on Feb. 12 - the Whites lost 23-year-old Andrew. He died mysteriously in his sleep, just as he was beginning an achingly slow climb out of the debilitating post-traumatic stress disorder.

"You really can't compare the two deaths, but directly and indirectly, both of their deaths are a result of the war," Stan said. "As a parent, you fear for them when they go to war. You fear for their lives over there. Andrew was home. We thought he was safe."

They are waiting for autopsy results, but the circumstances of Andrew's death mirror those of two other local servicemen, also treated for PTSD and taking the same medications.

"Is there a connection? We don't know," Stan said. "When you're 23, you're not supposed to go to sleep and not wake up.

"It seems like a cruel joke for him to die just when he was getting better," Shirley said.

Searching for answers

Since then, the Whites learned that the mysterious circumstances of Andrew's death are markedly similar to those of two other local servicemen who were being treated for PSTD with the same medications - Paxil, Klonopin and Seroquel.

you can read the rest of this story at...http://wvgazette.com/News/200803150602

The encouraging thing about energy medicine is that there are no negative side effects. Many different energy techniques have very positive side effects however-more energy, deeper sleep, less tension, better digestion, improved memory and especially increased happiness.

Alpha Company hit hard by post-traumatic stress resulting from combat

2008-03-10T03:45:00.009-06:00

By Tom Infield-Philadelphia Inquirer-staff writer
Of all the things that Alpha Company has had to struggle with since it came home from Iraq, the most pervasive may be post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD.

Of the 126 veterans interviewed or surveyed by The Inquirer, almost half - 46 percent - said they had been treated for PTSD, most at VA hospitals and clinics in the region.

Alpha's rate of PTSD is higher than that of most U.S. troops who served in Iraq or Afghanistan - partly, no doubt, as a result of its being a frontline combat unit that lost six men.

Shelley M. MacDermid, a Purdue University professor who served on a Defense Department mental-health task force last year, said typical PTSD rates among returning veterans were about 14 percent.

"Those are big numbers," she said of The Inquirer's Alpha findings.

National Guard and Reserve units, in general, have shown slightly higher PTSD rates than have regular Army units, she said.

The Defense Department task force said this might be in part because civilian-soldiers were separated after they returned home, rather than staying together as units in which the members could support one another.

Ira Katz, director of mental-health services for the Department of Veterans Affairs, said that among the 300,000 or so veterans who have been seen by the VA, about 20 percent have been diagnosed with PTSD.

But he said that twice that number - about 40 percent - have had some "mental condition."

"That's not all that different from your [46] percent," he said.

Both MacDermid and Katz said that PTSD had become a popular shorthand for all sorts of emotional symptoms that veterans experience. These may include depression and anxiety disorders, but not rise to the level of PTSD.

Steven Silver, who recently retired as director of the inpatient PTSD unit at the Coatesville VA hospital, predicted that as time went on, more and more combat veterans would be shown to have the high PTSD rate Alpha now shows.

PTSD, as a term, has been used only since 1980. World War II soldiers talked of battle fatigue. In World War I, it was shell shock.

Silver said that both the military and the VA had become more aggressive in warning troops about PTSD and getting them treatment.

He said that although Alpha's rate was high, "in some ways, it's good news. It means that people are coming in for help." (I agree this is very good news, it may be we are approaching a time of new understanding of this trauma. Which means we HAVE learned something from the Vietnam vets who suffered alone so terribly.)

(unfortunately however...) PTSD typically is treated with psychotherapy and antidepressant drugs, including Zoloft and Paxil. (which treats the symptoms but not the causes)

About two-thirds of Alpha veterans have received care at VA hospitals and clinics - for PTSD, physical ailments, or both.

quick fix for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder?!?

2008-03-09T03:57:00.005-06:00

Hard to imagine if you've got it.

The horrible PTSD symptoms veterans are experiencing are so debilitating and so enervating that it seems impossible there is a quick fix. Many believe there is not. One VA therapist I talked with believes it takes years of talk therapy and finding ways to integrate one's various roles and experiences to overcome PTSD.

He believes EMDR works for simple, one-time traumas such as a car accident. But this therapist believes for the complex situations that develop from killing people, seeing others killed and/or being in danger of being killed, it takes long and intensive therapy to heal. Perhaps he is right.

But what if there is an easier, quicker, safe way? Would it be worth a try?

We have written a self-help book called Recovering from PTSD YOUR Way to give you or your loved one an alternative to years of therapy. We are so confident it will help you that we are giving a money-back guarantee.

100% PTSD if you've been through the horrors of war.

2008-03-03T13:29:00.004-07:00

We hear differing estimates of the number of soldiers and veterans who develop PTSD, or symptoms of PTSD, as a result of their combat experience. Depending on the source I have heard estimates from 30% to 70%. I disagree. I don't think it is possible to go through the horrors of war without developing PTSD. I don't think humans are equipped to handle the grizzly situations one experiences in war. I truly believe the percentage is closer to 100%.

Certainly some are able to cope to a better degree than others. That doesn't mean they are not affected. "Coping" can be deceiving. "Coping" may mean you don't have the nightmares, the flashbacks, etc. that are considered to be symptoms of PTSD. Though you may "cope" very well with the trauma, you may develop unexplained pain, hearing or vision loss, relationship problems, money problems, or maybe, heart disease. These may develop years after the trauma.

Severity of symptoms may vary from person to person, but I believe every soldier, every veteran can benefit by treatment. I believe your lives, your personal relationships, and your general health will be improved with treatment. Your ability to cope with the normal demands and various crises that we all face every day will be enhanced.

I know this has been the case with my own PTSD! I "coped" very well with my trauma. In fact, I pretty much forgot about it.

I had years of pain, sometimes extreme, sometimes not so bad. I was quick to anger. I had migraines. And there were many other problems which I did not relate to my trauma. Certainly it was never called PTSD. In fact, though doctors rarely used the label, it was implied: PSYCHOSOMATIC. And they gave me names of psychiatrists. But once I put everything together, I got rid of these uncomfortable symptoms by myself.

More good news!

2008-02-28T00:41:00.005-07:00

Things are starting to move!

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake today said an expansion by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) of its Vet Centers, which provide readjustment counseling and outreach services to returning combat veterans, is well ahead of schedule.

In February 2007, VA announced it would open 23 new centers during the next two years. Fifteen of those centers are already operational, and five others are seeing patients in temporary facilities while finalizing their leases. The other three facilities will begin operations later this year.

"Building on our past successes, 2008 will see a permanent increase in the number of Vet Centers, as we bring the remaining facilities on line to reach a record 232 Vet Centers by the end of the year," Peake said.

"To support this expansion and augment the staff at 61 existing Vet Centers, this year we are channeling a 44 percent increase in funding to the Readjustment Counseling Service, which operates the Vet Centers -- nearly $50 million more than last year's budget," he added.

The community-based Vet Centers are a key component of VA's mental health program, providing veterans with mental health screening and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) counseling, along with help for family members dealing with bereavement and loved ones with PTSD.

The 15 new Vet Centers that are open in permanent locations are in Binghamton, N.Y.; Middletown, N.Y.; Watertown, N.Y.; Hyannis, Conn.; DuBois, Pa.; Gainesville, Fla.; Melbourne, Fla.; Macon, Ga.; Manhattan, Kansas; Escanaba, Mich.; Saginaw, Mich.; Grand Junction, Colo.; Baton Rouge, La.; Killeen, Texas; and Las Cruces, N.M.

Five additional Vet Centers are providing services in temporary space while they finalize their leases: They are in Toledo, Ohio; Ft. Myers, Fla.; Montgomery, Ala.; Everett, Wash.; and Modesto, Calif.

The final three locations where Vet Centers will open for clients later this year are in Berlin, N.H., Nassau County, N.Y., and Fayetteville, Ark.

Vet Centers provide counseling on employment, plus services on family issues, education and outreach, to combat veterans and their families. Vet Centers are staffed by small teams of professional counselors, outreach specialists and other specialists, many of whom are combat veterans themselves.

VA's Vet Centers have hired 100 combat veterans back from Iraq and Afghanistan as outreach specialists, often placing them near military processing stations, to brief servicemen and women leaving the military about VA benefits.

These outreach specialists meet with returning veterans, work through family assistance centers and visit military installations to carry the message that VA will be there for the troops and family members after discharge.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Our new website is ready!

2008-02-24T05:39:00.005-07:00

Healing Veterans PTSD

That's the link above. It's got some kinks to work out, but the information to get you started on your own journey of healing your PTSD can be found there. If you are a soldier or know one who is suffering from post traumatic stress disorder have a look at this informative site.

VA simplifies PTSD claims for some veterans

2008-02-20T22:36:00.006-07:00

EXCELLENT NEWS!!!!!

this is a really solid example of the growing awareness for the need to change and help these veterans-FASTER. From the Army Times...

By Kelly Kennedy - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday Feb 20, 2008 9:43:24 EST

The Department of Veterans Affairs has scrapped a policy requiring combat veterans to verify in writing that they have witnessed or experienced a traumatic event before they can file a claim for post-traumatic stress disorder — but only if the military has already diagnosed them with PTSD.

“This change provides a fairer process for veterans with service-connected PTSD,” Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii, said in a written statement. “[It] leaves claim adjudicators more time to devote to reducing the staggering backlog of veterans’ claims.”

In the past, a veteran has needed written verification — a statement from a commander or doctor, or testimony from co-workers — that he or she was involved in a traumatic situation to receive disability compensation from VA if they had not already been diagnosed by the military during a disability retirement process. But PTSD is the only condition that a veteran must “reprove” to receive disability benefits from VA.

“They don’t have to reprove their diabetes,” said Mary Ellen McCarthy, special projects counsel for the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee. “They don’t have to reprove a leg injury. I have never seen any other condition diagnosed in service [for which] people had to reprove their injury.”

The VA regulation was written at a time when the military was not diagnosing PTSD among troops, McCarthy said.

She travels to VA regional offices to check the progress of veterans going through the disability claims system. Even though many of the former troops had already proven they had witnessed a traumatic event in writing as they went through the military disability retirement system, often that paperwork had been lost by the time they reached VA, McCarthy said.

“It could take months to get that paperwork,” she said.

That slows up the paperwork process. And the veteran has to go through the stressful process of reproving that they lived through a roadside bomb explosion or that they witnessed a friend’s death or that they killed an insurgent.

“Revisiting those stressors in a non-therapeutic environment can make the diagnosis worse,” McCarthy said.

Akaka said he asked VA Secretary Dr. James Peake if the rule was necessary and requested that it be removed, and Peake agreed.

“I am pleased that the secretary took quick action to reverse this requirement after it was brought to his attention,” Akaka said.

Peake has already informed VA regional offices of the decision, Akaka said. VA officials could not be reached for comment by press time.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder benefits from early treatment

2008-02-19T01:14:00.003-07:00

It is becoming increasingly apparent that early treatment of PTSD is important. One of the benefits of EFT is that it can be used immediately after the traumatic event is over. In this case, it heals PTSD so quickly it almost becomes a preventive measure for PTSD without causing the soldier to lose the "edge" so important to survival in combat.

EFT with PTSD

2008-02-10T06:29:00.000-07:00

Emotional Freedom Technique-EFT is so easy to use that each person can become his or her own therapist. This eliminates the necessity for revealing to others that a veteran suffers from symptoms of PTSD. Veterans can avoid the stigma and red tape of applying for disability, but still relieve themselves of the terrible symptoms of PTSD.

Imagine! No more terrifying nightmares, violent outbursts of anger, embarrassing (or worse) delayed reactions, withdrawal from friends and family, hypertension or depression, flashbacks. Certainly worth a try.

www.healingveteransptsd.com

2008-02-08T03:27:00.000-07:00

Watch for our upcoming web site www.healingveteransptsd.com On it you will find an information filled E-book. "Recovering From PTSD YOUR Way" with instructions on how to help yourself or someone you care about deal with the symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Topics covered include; what is Emotional Freedom Technique, how to use it, what to do if it doesn't work at first, how to deal with triggers, flashbacks and delayed reactions, what to do if your loved one can't or won't do it for him or herself, and much, much more.

What not to say to returning vets...

2008-01-31T04:40:00.000-07:00

"Time heals all wounds"

If you've got returning troops coming into your family, community or church, this is one cliché you will want to stay away from. In fact you may want to stay away from alot of clichés. Instead let your veteran know that you care, you don't know what they are going through, but you do want to help.

They may have PTSD which means they might feel angry, confused, embarrassed, depressed, anxious, drinking or worse, avoiding old friends, family and hangouts. But you can't know that unless you stop, take the time to ask AND listen!

Getting the word out.

2008-01-30T08:22:00.000-07:00

As a new blogger with a new blog, I've discovered it's a bit like clapping with one hand. Nobody can hear you. In my quest for more exposure I ran across blog directories! What a good idea I thought-turns out this is 'old hat' for the pros. In exchange for a listing one of them invited me to do a review-ok-you're on rssHugger. Fabulous logo, first off! Compared to others I've looked at today it's clean, easy to read, easy to navigate and user friendly. I was surprised at the lack of a wellness category in the directory. But pleased that I had the option to submit it to be added.

Unfortunately our culture still thinks in terms of illness and disease. This is slowly changing and it's an exciting time for healers and people wanting excellent physical and mental health.

Homeless vets-VA has a bigger count than Bill O'Reilly

2008-01-17T07:44:00.001-07:00

Last night, Bill O'Reilly talked about the plight of homeless veterans on his television show. Unfortunately, he got the facts wrong.

O'Reilly: "They (homeless veterans) may be out there, but there's not many of them out there. Okay?...If you know where there is a veteran, sleeping under a bridge, you call me immediately, and we will make sure that man does not do it."

I'm not sure where Mr. O'Reilly got his statistics but according to the Department of Veterans Affairs, almost 200,000 veterans sleep on our nation's streets each night. And Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are joining those ranks at an alarming rate. In fact veterans make up about a third of the homeless adults in America.

If you would like to drop Bill a line go to http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/436/t/26/petition.jsp?petition_KEY=884
and sign the open letter that Paul Rieckhoff from Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America has organized. Awareness is the first way to encourage the healing that these vets deserve.

Pushing through PTSD?

2008-01-15T02:06:00.000-07:00

Kids headed out for the bus this morning, still in the dark. As I closed the door behind the last one, I heard 'GO GET MOM!'

It brought me on the run to find a motorcyclist who had slipped and slid for yards on the icy road. It was obvious she was in shock and already getting sore. But because she had no 'external' damage she refused any help of any kind. Not for herself, not for her machine. "I can handle it," she kept saying.

It seems to be an inbuilt survival mechanism for us to push on and almost a gut reaction not to appear to need help. Which makes treating PTSD very difficult. Especially with troops trained to push on, trained to overcome fears and weaknesses, trained to get the job done, not dwell on what's bothering them.

This is the point when family and friends become SO important. Listening, watching, being aware, being there without pushing, taking the time to understand what might be going on and helping to find solutions.

PTSD is an unavoidable product of war

2008-01-13T22:56:00.000-07:00

Many years ago when we first began to study PTSD, it seemed as if it must be some kind of mysterious, unusual problem. It gradually became apparent that PTSD is not only common, it is an unavoidable product of war. Because it has to do with emotion, it is largely denied and ignored by those who believe emotion plays no part in war.

Without emotion we are less than human. Symptoms of PTSD reveal that regardless of the things soldiers have had to do and/or witness, they are still human and have human reactions to horror.

What are the symptoms of PTSD?

2008-01-12T12:55:00.001-07:00

The symptoms are many and varied. In fact, they can vary tremendously from individual to individual. Symptoms include, but are not limited to:

nightmares
hyperventilation
depression
feeling numb
flashbacks of the event
guilt feelings
anxiety
fear
anger
helplessness
delayed reactions
denial
drug or alcohol addictions
reactions to "triggers"-like road rage

Sometimes PTSD victims suffer from very dangerous symptoms such as uncontrollable rage, suicidal or, homicidal tendencies. If you or a buddy is at this point- seek help immediately.

What is PTSD?

2008-01-10T05:45:00.003-07:00

PTSD or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is, simply stated, a disorder caused by emotional shock. It is a relatively new term. The medical community has only recently realized that it is a condition or syndrome (pattern) peculiar to one or more emotionally charged events in one's life.

In earlier wars the condition was known as "shell shock" or "battle fatigue." It was generally not treated at all. If it was treated it was considered a mental illness and treatment was often harsh and bizarre.

Today we recognize that any emotional shock can result in continuing stress and distress, causing symptoms from mild mental or emotional discomfort to extremely serious behavior problems.

The shock can be as minor as a dog bite or it can be horrific such as incidents in war or a disaster of some kind like Katrina or the Tsunami. Regardless of the severity of the shock, if it causes any kind of discomfort whatever for the individual, it is justifiably considered PTSD.

The good news is that PTSD is curable. Without drugs, expensive in-patient treatments, lengthy therapy or bizarre mechanical devices-you, a buddy or your loved one can get help for this disabling condition.