Posted on Jan 21, 2015
What is your unofficial or self-prescribed therapy?
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My wife recently asked why I prefer the quiet of the National Forest land behind my house to the warmth and comforts of home... rain or shine. I didn't really have an answer for her. She tends to look at my "escapes" as she calls it, in a negative light. I look at it as my off the books therapy.
No I'm not officially diagnosed with PTS, many say I should head to the VA... that's another story. Yes I did a combat deployment to Afghanistan's Oruzgan Province in 2003. I self medicate. There are times where I find myself extremely frustrated with the day to day activities in a house with 2 kids and a dog. 6-8 miles later, stomping through the woods, I'm healed. My head is clear, short fuze has been lengthened. . .
So I ask you RP Community, what's your unofficial therapy? What centers you?
My hope is to share techniques that work for some, so that others can benefit as well.
No I'm not officially diagnosed with PTS, many say I should head to the VA... that's another story. Yes I did a combat deployment to Afghanistan's Oruzgan Province in 2003. I self medicate. There are times where I find myself extremely frustrated with the day to day activities in a house with 2 kids and a dog. 6-8 miles later, stomping through the woods, I'm healed. My head is clear, short fuze has been lengthened. . .
So I ask you RP Community, what's your unofficial therapy? What centers you?
My hope is to share techniques that work for some, so that others can benefit as well.
Therapy
PTS
PTSD
Edited 11 y ago
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 108
I have beautiful trails by me so hiking and kickboxing. Nothing like taking agressions out on a punching bag or hiking in the beautiful outdoors.
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SPC Larry Buck
You saw what I put? No finer punch bag then when it's stuffed full of sweet juicy fried chicken....
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SPC Larry Buck
So are you here? My connection is all over the place, and stuff pops up with no notice..
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PV2 Violet Case
hey my veteran brother hope you are doing ok. not sure why stuff pops up all over. I have troubles with my bell and trying to scroll down all the stuff fast enough.
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A visit to the range to expell a few rounds. Then to the bar for for a beer and relaxing debrief. But a good walk in nature is pretty good also.
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1SG (Join to see)
Racquetball, yardwork and the one night during the week Date Night or out to Dinner with my wife! Â Not always the same night each week...but definitely one night a week. Â Just so happened it was tonight this week.
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I would say computers, traveling and hanging out in different towns in Louisiana is therapy for me. I always enjoy Louisiana culture and great food, along with the peace and nature.
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My personal therapy, or my "happy place" as I refer to it is in my small workshop away from my house. I'll go there and lose all sense of time either restoring and refinishing antique furniture or crafting something new out of wood. That's how I destress from the week.
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Sgt Branden W. I love getting out into the Everglades National Park, just to get away from people. The crowds make me....uneasy. Nature is great. So is slow conversations over coffee with good friends who think carefully.
One that works in the other direction for me is shooting. Initially after my deployments I had physical reactions to gunshot reports. I still get antsy around fireworks when I cant see the bursts. But exposure can help. Going to the range I might feel jumpy for the first few minutes but as I breathe through the experience, the sights sounds and smells don't hold such sharp stimuli as they did. I don't think the vigilance will ever go away fully-nor would I really want it to. (https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/when-in-a-crowd-do-you-find-yourself-planning-for-what-you-would-do-in-an-emergency-such-as-if-a-crazed-shooter-were-to-occur) But I need to make sure I go from yellow to red or orange, not white to black. (http://www.killology.com/book_oncombat_summary.htm)
One of the wiser things I've been told is that "PTSD is a disorder of avoidance. The disorder part comes in in avoiding memory triggers and friends and thoughts that connect to the trauma. The idea isn't to immerse yourself in the triggers all the time, but don't spend your time avoiding them either."
I thought that was very wise.
One that works in the other direction for me is shooting. Initially after my deployments I had physical reactions to gunshot reports. I still get antsy around fireworks when I cant see the bursts. But exposure can help. Going to the range I might feel jumpy for the first few minutes but as I breathe through the experience, the sights sounds and smells don't hold such sharp stimuli as they did. I don't think the vigilance will ever go away fully-nor would I really want it to. (https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/when-in-a-crowd-do-you-find-yourself-planning-for-what-you-would-do-in-an-emergency-such-as-if-a-crazed-shooter-were-to-occur) But I need to make sure I go from yellow to red or orange, not white to black. (http://www.killology.com/book_oncombat_summary.htm)
One of the wiser things I've been told is that "PTSD is a disorder of avoidance. The disorder part comes in in avoiding memory triggers and friends and thoughts that connect to the trauma. The idea isn't to immerse yourself in the triggers all the time, but don't spend your time avoiding them either."
I thought that was very wise.
Warrior Science Group - Page not found
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Sgt Branden W.
I absolutely plan for these events. I teach and at least once a day I find myself planning my actions should a person with ill intent enter the building. I even went so far as to ask my boss if I could carry concealed.. didn't go very well.
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Capt Richard I P.
Sgt Branden W. I hear you. That conversation doesn't go well even for those of us still in. But we still maintain as much preparedness as we can.
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Encouraging my firearms to make BANG noises and watching
EEEEVIL...
paper...
DIE!!!!!
MWAAH HAA HAA
EEEEVIL...
paper...
DIE!!!!!
MWAAH HAA HAA
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PO2 Steven Erickson
Wait... That would explain why it takes so many rounds to rip the paper into several pieces!!!!
And you shouldn't call me "sick" SPC Larry Buck. That word implies that there's a cure...
And you shouldn't call me "sick" SPC Larry Buck. That word implies that there's a cure...
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Tent camping in the woods, camp fires at night, and hiking with the family. Also nothing beats sitting in my climber about 20 feet up a tree listening to the sounds of the woods.
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Run the dog. Chop down trees. Outside time helps...physical activity helps.
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Great question Branden,
I've found trail running to be a great (non-clinical) therapy. Trail running allows me the opportunity for a variety of cardiovascular exercises, with the benefit of scenery on a wooded trail. Some of the more challenging trails demand concentration, focusing on the task at hand (not tripping) provides me with relief from PTS symptoms.
Over the past 2 years I have completed my first 50K and 50 mile races. While these are competitive races, ultras have a much different feel than other races (5k-marathons). There is no fund-raising, no large crowds, no hoop-la.
I've found trail running to be a great (non-clinical) therapy. Trail running allows me the opportunity for a variety of cardiovascular exercises, with the benefit of scenery on a wooded trail. Some of the more challenging trails demand concentration, focusing on the task at hand (not tripping) provides me with relief from PTS symptoms.
Over the past 2 years I have completed my first 50K and 50 mile races. While these are competitive races, ultras have a much different feel than other races (5k-marathons). There is no fund-raising, no large crowds, no hoop-la.
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