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Veteran suicide rate reaches epidemic status
Published on 2012-10-13 13:03:00
he biggest threat both on and off the battlefield is suicide, not enemy bullets or bombs. A recent study has determined that more military personal space die of suicide than as a result of enemy action. Veterans and military service members have always had a higher rate of suicide compared to the civilian population but it has increased. This increase in veteran and military suicide is in doubt related to the ongoing war in Afghanistan and the ongoing operations in Iraq. We have been at war for [..]
What are veteran's hospitals like? A description of VA healthcare.
Published on 2012-10-05 14:25:00
Veterans need to connect with the appropriate care for their service connected and general healthcare needs. Hopefully most transitioning military veterans are briefed on healthcare and linking up with veteran hospitals. Sadly,many veterans fall through the cracks or have difficulty navigating the VA hospital system. It is of crucial importance that a veteran gets certified for healthcare by the VA as soon as possible. This will help in the continuation of care for current injuries and insure th [..]
PTSD or Post traumatic stress disorder in veterans
Published on 2012-10-03 14:41:00
PTSD Or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder In Veterans It’s not uncommon for veterans to suffer from PTSD, otherwise referred to as post-traumatic stress disorder because of what they have had to go through in the military with wars, operations and even the yelling of drill sergeants. The symptoms can be treated in a number of ways, too, to help provide some relief for veterans around the country. Over the years, PTSD has come to be a very important mental health condition to have treated. When [..]
A Marine with PTSD comes out of the closet. Don't ask, Don't Tell.
Published on 2012-06-07 11:11:00
I have not posted on this blog much this year. I have been off medication for PTSD, anxiety and depression for almost two years. Initially, I suffered from increased anxiety and panic from quiting meds cold turkey. This was a terrible thing to do and I knew the risks but I had to stop taking medicine. Since discontinuing my meds, I have some increased panic and some terrible social issues. I have been very stand offish with people and have said and done things that I regret. Over the past two y [..]
Veteran with PTSD and Depression. A Treatment Diary.
Published on 2012-03-15 11:42:00
So today has been a big day for me. I finally decided to act upon getting medical treatment for my PTSD, panic and depression. This is not to say that I have not been in treatment during the past. I have actually tried many different therapies and medications in an attempt to combat my problems. My problem has been sticking with medicine and therapy over the past several years. When I start to feel better, sometimes I will discontinue medication and therapy all together. I do realize the problem [..]
Veterans Day Discounts 2011, Restaurants, Shopping and More
Published on 2011-11-06 10:33:00
Veteran’s Day is soon approaching and there are many restaurants and companies who want to thank our veterans by providing them with discounts or a free meal. To those companies offering veterans a free meal or discount, the military community gives a collective thanks! Our goal is to share as many of these free meals and discounts with our military veterans and we will update this page as soon as new information becomes available. 2011 Veteran’s Day Free Meals and Discounts Two notes b [..]
Veterans die every 80 minutes from suicide.
Published on 2011-11-05 11:09:00
In an alarming report, the VA has determined that veterans are dying in large numbers daily due to suicide. Despite the Veteran's Administration's best efforts to combat suicide in veterans, it seems that they are losing the fight in suicide prevention. Currently there are increased mental health services available to veterans but this suicide rate may raise the question as to whether these services are helpful enough to the veterans that they serve. Veterans have traditionally had higher rate [..]
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder to be renamed in the military?
Published on 2011-11-05 09:40:00
This week some army top brass has suggested that PTSD should be renamed to PTSI. Instead of referring to post traumatic stress as a disorder, he has proposed that it be classified as an injury instead. He insists that calling the disability "post traumatic stress injury" will lead to an increase in troops and veterans seeking help for the ailment. As of now about 30% of all veterans that served in a recent combat zone are suffering from post traumatic stress disorder. This amounts to about 15% o [..]
Free Flu Shots for Veterans
Published on 2011-10-22 11:24:00
The Department of Veteran Affairs is urging all veterans to get their annual flu shot. If you are veteran you can go to your nearest VA medical facility to receive the flu shot. If you are unsure of where your nearest VA facility is, then check this link to locate one. Veteran's Medical Center Locator
What is a veteran?
Published on 2011-10-21 11:43:00
I remember going to a recent family function a few years ago in Ohio. I was there with my uncle and he is probably the biggest fan of my military service. He was introducing me to some people we didn't know. He said to one couple, "This is my nephew and he is a vet!" The man asked my uncle, "Oh that's great! What is his specialty? Dogs or Cats?" We nearly rolled on the floor laughing at this. I couldn't tell if the guy was being serious in his question or not. My Uncle recovered and finally said [..]
What is it like to have PTSD?
Published on 2011-10-19 18:45:00
I thought I would write a personal entry today on what post traumatic stress disorder is like for me. We all have our own unique experiences in life so my example may not be like others. Besides, I don’t just have PTSD. I have agoraphobia and depression alongside with complex PTSD. My story might be very different from your own. If it is the same as your own, I would like to hear from you. When I get up in the morning, my goal is to not leave the apartment. I feel safe inside, I have establis [..]
Applebee's Restaurant to offer Free Meals to Veterans on Veteran's Day
Published on 2011-10-19 14:09:00
Applebee's restaurant will be offering free meals to veterans on Veteran's Day. If you are a veteran looking to eat out on Veteran's Day, consider going to Applebee's to take advantage of this terrific offer. Bring some sort of Veteran's identification with you. A VA identification card should be sufficient, just don't expect them to take your word for being a veteran, although they might! I will be featuring other great deals for veteran's leading up to Veteran's Day so stay tuned to this b [..]
Connect with the Veteran's Guide on Facebook.
Published on 2011-10-19 13:44:00
Perhaps some of my readers did not notice this but we now have a facebook fan page dedicated to the Veteran's Guide. I would appreciate all my readers to just take the extra second that it takes to hit like on the facebook widget in the sidebar of this blog. The page does not feature any new content yet but will be updated alongside the blog in the coming weeks. So if you find the information in this blog valuable please do me the favor of liking this effort in facebook. If you do not find th [..]
Images of War: The Marines land in Afghanistan.
Published on 2011-10-18 18:07:00
This photo features Marines from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The 15th MEU was the first combat force in Afghanistan after Charlie Company, First Battalion, First Marines participated in the longest amphibious raid in the history of the Marine Corps. The 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit established the first forward operating base in the country of Afghanistan in November 2001.
EMDR as a treatment for PTSD. My experience with EMDR therapy for post traumatic stress disorder.
Published on 2011-09-14 12:37:00
In my struggle with PTSD or post traumatic stress disorder, I tried many different therapies and several combination of these different therapies. I was overmedicated for many years as I tried to get back to whatever normal is or was. One of the more interesting therapies that I tried is called EMDR therapy. EMDR therapy is a new approach to PTSD therapy. I would say it was rather conventional compared to the other therapies that were performed on me by the VA and private doctors. I should point [..]