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~POST TRAUMATIC STRESS
DISORDER - or PTSD~
Our nation of Australia, in the year 2000, has almost forgotten the
deaths of more than 500 of our young men in Vietnam. To put it bluntly,
approximately 36 tons of bone and flesh; 1,540 pounds of brain matter;
600 gallons of blood!
It was our country's longest war (1962-1973). Many more hundreds have
since succumbed to their war-caused disabilities. Many have taken their
own lives believing in their minds that life wasn't worth living; to end
the hell they were living within; that they had been robbed of a life
that they could have reasonably expected to live if they had not been
sent to war. Good soldiers - bad politicians!
ADRENALINE - Friend or Foe?
Adrenaline is a necessary for life. It is a stress hormone allowing the
'super-functioning' of our body during extreme stress or danger.
Properly functioning adrenal glands, not only give us the 'edge' in
life-threatening situations, but also play roles involving protein,
carbohydrate, electrolyte and water metabolism in our bodies.
THE EDGE - Fight or Flight?
The two hormones secreted by the adrenal glands, adrenaline and
noradrenaline, function to give our bodies a patterned response to
danger. Adrenaline is associated with our 'flight response' and
noradrenaline with our 'fight response'. These two stress hormones act
quickly to prepare our bodies to respond to danger or stress. The brain
receives increased blood supply and its accompanying oxygen
(hyper-alertness), heart rate increases to keep skeletal muscles and the
brain well supplied with blood, although the tendency to bleed from a
wound is decreased. The eyes dilate, lungs become more efficient and
white blood cells increase to counteract infection or injury. Digestion
and other non-vital functions are slowed.
The hyperalert mind quickly gathers and analyses all available sensory
information (sights, sounds, smells, memories, training) and a decision
is made...'fight or flee! In a matter of seconds the body has moved into
'high-gear', ready to deal with the danger. The adrenaline charged
person now has 'The Edge'! This stress does not stop with the
individual, but will in fact give the whole team 'The Edge', linking
them together in their common danger or goal. This linking is akin to an
electrical current allowing the group to function with little or no
verbal communication, and as a 'whole' under extreme stress or danger.
'The Edge', the adrenaline charged stress response is the friend of the
soldier...it can mean his survival.
STRESS DISORDER - Pseudo-addiction
For a war Veteran, whether loading bullets, jet fuel, on patrol, or in
direct support, 'The Edge' meant the difference between success and
failure, gaining your objective or losing your ground...between life and
death! The soldier becomes dependant on adrenaline to cope with the
stresses and dangers of war.
For many, this daily dependence on the 'rush' of adrenaline with its
hyper-alertness and mental clarity made life without 'The Edge' dull,
boring and even confusing. This pseudo-addiction was undeniable as many
soldiers in their early 20's returned home from Vietnam with gray hair,
drawn faces, withdrawn personalities and with what is now called that
infamous '1,000 yard stare'.
Even today, many Veterans seek only the 'high risk', 'high danger' and
'high stress' lifestyles that will keep them on 'The Edge', but with a
price...The adrenal glands are not treated for constant stimulation.
Over-stimulation and release of these stress hormones disrupt the Immune
System, and probably contribute to the high incidence of heart disease,
high blood pressure and peptic ulcers now seen in Veterans - higher than
their civilian counterparts! Dependence on adrenaline (pseudo-addiction);
seeking to stay on 'The Edge', now moves this natural stress response
over to the foe side of the sheet.
TRIGGERS - A Blast from the Past
The role the adrenal glands play in survival is so vital that they seem
to have 'hair-triggered' response. The brain does not reason, or analyze
a danger before the adrenaline is released. It seems that any form of
sensory information can 'trigger' the release of adrenaline, including imagined
or remembered information.
In other words, the brain won't tell you the 'danger' that caused the
adrenaline to be released was from a 25to 30-year-old memory until all
that 'fight/flight' is pumping through your system.
These 'triggers' can be on a conscious level, such as the sound of a
helicopter, the night sky, pouring rain etc., or a 'trigger' may be on a
sub-conscious level, such as expecting others on you team (family) to
read your mind (hyper-alertness) during a stressful situation (like
running late) and they don't!
Once the 'trigger' is pulled there is no going back. The hormones are
off and running - they must run their course. This uncontrolled 'trigger
pulling' and subsequent pumping of 'fight-flight' hormones through the
body moves this abnormal stress response to the foe side of the sheet.
ADAPTATION - The Key to Victory
Adrenaline and noradrenaline, although vital to our health and survival,
can also work against us through uncontrolled overstimulation. Society,
family and circumstances does not allow the natural responses of
'fight-flight' to the triggered release of these stress hormones. The
victory over these 'life-saving' turned 'life-destroying' responses
comes through adaptation. Adaptation is the key to victory over adrenaline
stress-related disorder, and understanding is the key to adaptation.
Understanding PTSD, is understanding how the war experience is
continuing to be fought or resolved in a Veteran's mind. Understanding
adrenaline triggers is understanding how the war experience is
continuing to be played out in the Veteran's body. Family, friends and
support groups are vital to 'trigger evaluation'. The Veteran must feel
safe, supported and loved. Point Man Outposts can provide these needs
for recovery and the restoration of self-worth.
SURRENDER - Disarming Your Triggers
'Triggers' are dangerous to your health as well as to your relationships
with loved ones, friends, fellow workers and with God. Understanding
'your triggers' adaptation, and tools such as 'Trigger Charts' will give
you a measure of victory over some aspects of stress disorder.
To completely render harmless your 'triggers', you must surrender them
to God. This above all else is the option that has had the most success
over the years. It doesn't work to fight your 'triggers', or to run from
them, asking God's help in 'disarming your triggers' gives you the 'Real
Edge'!
Contact your nearest Point Man Outpost in your area to find the mates
and support you need to gain victory over your 'triggers' and find
'Peace with your past'. Remember, the Bible promises, "...and, the
PEACE of God shall guard your HEARTS and MINDS in Christ Jesus"
(Philippians 4:7) "PTSD
CHARACTERISTICS"
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