Is this your ptsd therapy? For military veterans, motorcycle ride provides an antidote to stress

2015-06-17T09:15:30-04:00

“The memories, flashbacks, night sweats and anger issues, at times, are calmed by a wonderful woman in my life — my wife. But there is that 50 percent she can’t help with, and that’s where my 2001 Road King has come into play,” Steuber said.

http://www.stripes.com/news/veterans/for-military-veterans-motorcycle-ride-provides-an-antidote-to-stress-1.352345

For military veterans, motorcycle ride provides an antidote to stress

The prevalence of post-traumatic stress syndrome among those who have served in combat has been well-documented. But now, some military veterans are turning to motorcycle riding as their prescription for finding peace.

Response by CPT Bruce Rodgers made Jun 17 at 2015 9:16 AM

2015-06-17T09:16:41-04:00

I wish, I miss riding my bike brother

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Jun 17 at 2015 9:24 AM

2015-06-17T09:24:21-04:00

I believe this to be very true. I ride with my veterans’ friends and retirees at least two or three times a year on long runs across the country. I have met so many veterans and retirees on my Harley over the last 10 years I can't keep count. I just recently joined the Southern California Patriot Guard Riders because of my connection with PO1 John Miller out of Tucson, AZ. I'm looking forward to my first mission to honor the fallen and their families.

Great article and thanks for sharing SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S.

Response by SFC Timothy Gallagher made Jun 17 at 2015 9:24 AM

2015-06-17T09:24:44-04:00

My wind therapy is better then all the drugs and therapists combined.

Response by CDR Michael Goldschmidt made Jun 17 at 2015 9:29 AM

2015-06-17T09:29:09-04:00

I'll let you know. I actually stopped riding not very long after returning from deployment, even though I had been riding since high school. One of the reasons I left USNA is that Midshipmen weren't allowed to own motorcycles, but there was no such restriction on NROTC Mids. I arrived at my first duty station after a 1000 mile ride. There were years when I had a car, but never used it, because, in my heart, I'm a two-wheel person. My first e-mail address was [login to see] . I'm just now trying to get two of the old BMWs (a '73 R75/5 and an '86 K75C) back on the road, and drove 1000 miles in two days to buy my wife a '73 Honda CB350, which I'll be riding later today.

Response by CMSgt Mark Schubert made Jun 17 at 2015 10:13 AM

2015-06-17T10:13:59-04:00

Whatever therapy works is the best! I just watched an episode of Extreme Weight Loss and Josh is a perfect example of someone who struggled with PTSD for years before making a commitment to help himself - and just 1 year later is a completely different person, not on ANY medication and completely stable. I'm not advocating there is a "cure" for PTSD, but it is possible to be a productive and stable member of society! http://abc.go.com/shows/extreme-weight-loss/episode-guide/season-05/02-josh-kelli

I also know several people who have PTSD who are actively supporting and helping others who are also afflicted - this is their therapy and it's very productive! :-)

Response by Sgt Mark Ramos made Jun 17 at 2015 10:40 AM

2015-06-17T10:40:49-04:00

Post traumatic, or just the daily kind, stress subsides during and after a ride. Doing what you used to love to do before you changed gets you closer to who you used to be.

Response by TSgt David L. made Jun 17 at 2015 4:15 PM

2015-06-17T16:15:38-04:00

I rode before my deployments and have always found that wind therapy always worked. There is a quote something to the effect that "You never see a motorcycle in front of a phycatrist's office".

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jun 17 at 2015 4:16 PM

2015-06-17T16:16:42-04:00

I ride my Harley every day and my stress just melts away.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 17 at 2015 7:10 PM

2015-06-17T19:10:37-04:00

Not since I "laid" my Honda VFR 500 down in the driveway, lol.

Response by PO3 Michael James made Jun 17 at 2015 11:01 PM

2015-06-17T23:01:46-04:00

PTSD Therapy ?? I really don't care.. if it works ... it works, if playing marbles in a sand box works.. good !! Whatever will help our Veterans is just fine and as far as I am concerned.. its a job well done !!

Response by SFC Derek Ashman made Jun 18 at 2015 7:43 AM

2015-06-18T07:43:47-04:00

I can not speak for everyone else how they handle their stress or ptsd but I know when I go on a nice ride through the country side on my Harley everything seems to disappear.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Jun 18 at 2015 10:15 AM

2015-06-18T10:15:53-04:00

To be a successful rider you must be able and willing to do three things simultaneously.
Balance the bike.
Operate the controls
Mentally ride.
I teach folks every week how to do the first two, and help them learn about the third.
Crashes happen because of a lack of the third. ..

If you are riding your bike to "escape" fine.. so long as the escape is the event of focusing on the ride....and not just mental fluffy mush.

Most motorcycle crash are avoidable. ...Lack of training, lack of using that training, risk taking...failing to riding the bike mentally.

Some will violently disagree..., thats ok.. it's not accurate, but its common.
And for those reading... if you crashed... even if the proximate reason was another driver, likely the crash could have been avoided if YOU were trained AND mentally riding the bike.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 18 at 2015 12:26 PM

2015-06-18T12:26:06-04:00

I have been riding bikes since the 1980's way before I had ever heard of PTSD. I find riding is the best stress reliever out there, rather it is on dirt or on the road.

Response by 1stSgt Jon Vance made Jun 18 at 2015 6:11 PM

2015-06-18T18:11:57-04:00

Absolutely, the only place I feel truly at peace is inside my helmet moving through the wind!

Response by ENS Reid Wackermann made Jun 26 at 2015 1:00 PM

2015-06-26T13:00:58-04:00

It certainly is for me. It gives me an opportunity to get out of my own head. If I haven't gone riding in awhile, I do start to feel off.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 25 at 2016 9:39 AM

2016-06-25T09:39:31-04:00

please take a look at this site and help many thanks
https://goo.gl/buzCZM

Donate to help Raising Money for a Vet that need to Upgrade his Motorcycle so he can still ride...

I am a Veteran with PTSD. I use my motorcycle as a cooping mechanism, however due to back pain I cannot ride anymore. After talking with the…

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 26 at 2016 3:25 PM

2016-06-26T15:25:52-04:00

https://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/ztcd/raising-money-for-a-vet-that-need-to-upgrade-his-motorcycle-so-he-can-still-ride

Donate to help Raising Money for a Vet that need to Upgrade his Motorcycle so he can still ride...

I am a Veteran with PTSD. I use my motorcycle as a cooping mechanism, however due to back pain I cannot ride anymore.

Response by PFC James (LURCH) Janota made Dec 3 at 2019 7:44 PM

2019-12-03T19:44:29-05:00

Is there a locator for local groups to you? Do they have mentors to guide those of us who are new to the world of motorcycle riding?

Response by SSG Terry Cummings made Dec 3 at 2019 9:24 PM

2019-12-03T21:24:44-05:00

scp Jan More to you ! go Brother. I've had scooters up to all sizes.started in 50's till now .had to seel my bike in 64 went into Army in 67 came home from VN bought a1967 Boniville two carb I remember I kept thinking I'm going to get killed by a car or ride into tree But i guess thinking back i still loved the thrill. got married had a child had to sale it .I still think to this day I'd still be married but with sweats jumping out of bed from a noise ,ringing in my ears had to play music to able to sleep cost me a divorce. mabe if I had bought another bike just maybe the different jobs I worked at and end up quitting wouldn't have happened? who knows ? good luck be safe on your bike friend.

Response by SSG Charles A Bidwell made Jan 6 at 2020 6:59 PM

2020-01-06T18:59:25-05:00

Hello my name is Charles A. Bidwell and I am a 100% Disabled Veterans. I have heard many times about wind therapy and thought I could buy a cheap 2 wheeled motorcycle but I found with my TBI I am unable to balance a bole. So I looked into a trike. I road a friends for a couple miles and it was awesome. But I need help. I cannot afford a trike. Even trike frames online are more than I will ever be able to afford and they don't even run. I hate sounding like a beggar. My PTSD doesn't allow me to work so all I do is sit at home doing nothing. I think about going out to someone's house but then can't do it. If anyone has a suggestion I am all ears. My depression seems to grow everyday.

Response by PFC James (LURCH) Janota made Feb 10 at 2020 12:10 PM

2020-02-10T12:10:29-05:00

I'm just trying to find financing I can afford. I don't mind paying for a bike, but affording the payments it's like I'm paying for the bike twice.