Treatment Interventions for Veterans with PTSD by Mike Willbur, M.S., LMHC and Susanne Ruiz Rodriguez, Esq, M.S.
“If there is violence and/or abuse in the home, recognize it for what it really is – violence and abuse. Violence and/or abuse are present in a place that is supposed to be a sanctuary. Does everyone under the roof where you live feel safe? Does your partner feel self-empowered? Is there mutual respect in the home? When you feel irritable, are you able to talk about it with your partner? These are just a few questions that should be asked and if not answered appropriately, then it’s time to seek help.”
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When loved ones return home following deployment in hard combat, the risk of domestic violence resulting from post-trauma stress is much higher without proactive treatment. The stigma of mental health challenges takes a toll on the entire family, especially children, because those who suffer from the horrific memories of war are often in denial for many reasons and refuse treatment. I know this to be true as a post WWII child who carries the emotional baggage of domestic violence to this day. My research shows evidence of an epidemic of generational post-trauma stress in literally thousands of families who live with emotional pain and toxic family relationships from one generation to the next. How can we break the cycle of abuse and emotional pain that seems to stick like bad genes in families who must learn to love all over again?
I so wish and pray that healing from post-traumatic stress (PTS) could be as simple and easy as treating a case of the measles or the flu, or even taking clear steps to avoid or cure more serious physical health challenges. But in treating PTS, it is clearly very complicated and often a life long process or journey of healing…
We know so much more and have a high level of awareness of post-traumatic stress circumstances in the 21st Century. It is up to families to break the cycle of pain by seeking pre-deployment preparation and education as a first step. Do not wait! Build a proactive plan as a family. There are excellent resources at your fingertips just by doing a search with the words “post-trauma stress.” My website includes archives of over 800 posts, articles and links, books to purchase and download to your ebook reader.
Steve Sparks, Author, Reconciliation: A Son’s Story and My Journey of Healing in Life After Trauma Part 1&2… Click the highlighted text to order books and other stuff…from Amazon…
