Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Support Group

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Talked at church to war vet in PTSD crisis today

Community Leadermujicaptsd
mujicaptsd

Something happened today that was an interesting follow up to that Netflix Russell Brand film I posted about this weekend.  The film  was approaching psychological issues as being spiritual at the same time, too.  In the film's case it was addiction recovery through twelve step programs.  But as I said in that post, it made me imagine parallels to our PTSD recovery and a way to draw strength from overlapping psychological and spiritual tools for greater effect.I spoke at a church again today on PTSD.  Afterward, lots of people were nice about my talk, while one person tore into me in a really mean way.  The rest of the church folk protected me nicely, though.  Then a young man who was in PTSD crisis (an Iraq war veteran) came up and talked and we ended up talking over lunch afterward.  I told him about us here at DS PTSD.  I got to talk to his parents at lunch, too.I don't have the answers for PTSD, but it was good to talk to him.  His parents were glad, too.  Since I spoke at a church and this happened with this young guy in PTSD crisis there I was glad I speak at churches about us.  As much as it might be confusing to some, a positive overlap between psychology and some kind of spirituality could really be helpful.  It was today, anyway. 


I'm thankful for your support for how that Netflix Russell Brand movie opened me up to that idea.  It turned out to be preparation for talking to this war vet who was in a PTSD crisis at this church today.

DarkGypsyG
DarkGypsyG
i'm glad you could help him.

myself- i could not have come this far in my healing without my spiritual tools blending with my psychological tools. from my own experience with doctors and therapists i actually get really mad when they blow off how important my faith is to me as a part of my healing. it may not be the magic answer for everybody, but it shouldn't be a non-option.

also i like that when that person tore into you and the people protected you, you are not dwelling on that. you just said it and let it go. so proud of you!
silverlight
silverlight
Muji,you are so generous of heart..

i too have drawn much strength from my spirtuality in addition to what i continually learn and try to apply to my life from my therapy....i don't know what i'd do without my connection to something so much greater than myself...
arfie
arfie
I do not know, but I thoroughly believe that religion is the original Psych Study, but. . .

From my foundation in "The Schism of the Isms," being able to use any religious terms, whatsoever, was and remains an emotional challenge. The ismic divide had fanatical defenders on every front, from Atheism to Paganism to Buddhism to Whateverism. Any excuse for a good fight. All the better if you are Fighting for Peace. Isn't that a bit like fucking for virginity?

It was 12-step work which helped me find my way out of the Schism of the Isms. I haven't healed far enough to maintain membership in any of the Ismic Clubs, but at least now I can feel safe speaking of powers greater than human suffering and confusion. My connection to the unprovable powers are what saw me through my horrific childhood, but speak them? Not without fear of Ismic reprisals. I freeze and gear up for flight with the first political correction.

Glad you were there for that vet in need. It really does take a village to heal.
Community LeaderLeo
Leo
Big hugs and applause.
Community Leadermujicaptsd
mujicaptsd
I appreciate your validation on this. Since my own abusers were very religious and mixed their mental illness delusions with spiritual talk, I'm aware of how mixing spirituality and psychology in can go awry. So it means a lot to me that you encourage my still daring to explore it as a path to healing, too. Your positive experiences affirm that. I want to take care to avoid the pitfalls of my forebears, but I also want to move forward in my own healing.

arfie, I agree that spirituality may have been the first form of psychology, and that there can be healthy overlap today. That's where I'm interested in 12 step recovery spirituality right now. It seems to avoid becoming sectarian and getting involved in doctrinal controversies, while still offering useful tools for putting the spirit to work with our minds for our recovery. Thoughts on this still in progress...

DG, thanks for pointing out that I didn't get sidetracked by the person who was mean to me after I spoke, and that I concentrated on the vet with PTSD who talked to me later. Yeah, hey--I did that, didn't I? In the past, I would have dwelled on the negative feedback, and might have missed that guy. Hm. That's a little sign of a step in progress, too, huh? I appreciate your saying something so I'd give it notice, Deej.
Community LeaderSunCloudJD
SunCloudJD
This is wonderful muji...

I to believe that God will often use us for good things and I believe you were both where you needed to be yesterday...

This is something good coming out of PTSD isn't it?

I used to watch a show called "Mysteries of the Bible" and one of the episodes was on the Book of Job

When asked why God would allow these things one of the guests a Rabbi told a story... He said that had been told to him

" a young man was furious with God and said ..this is a horrible world... you allow wars and killing, tsunamis and terrible abuse... Why don't you do something about it???? and God said I did I sent you"

Big hug for you my friend...xo
Community LeaderSunCloudJD
SunCloudJD
I saw this story on FB.... A 30 year old paramedic saved the life of a doctor who was the pediatrician who saved his life as a baby... So very cool

http://www.people.com/article/paramedic-rescues-doctor-who-saved-him-30-years-earlier
Zoe
Zoe
Glad you're able to talk to people and help them. I've been at this PTSD thing for a long time now and don't have my shit together enough to do so. I do feel there is an overlap between religion and PTSD. It may not be the same for every one but it's definitely there.
DarkGypsyG
DarkGypsyG
Suncloud, i've used a similar response to many who have asked me the "why does god allow all the suffering?" question as well as the question "why does he let all this happen to me?" however my answer often comes out more to the tune of "God doesn't move parked cars." so to quote the famous saying "be the change you want to see in the world."

i think muji you are a person that resonates that vibe. it inspires me. thank you.
Community Leadermujicaptsd
mujicaptsd
Aw, thanks, DG, that means a lot--especially coming from you, my friend. Thanks to everybody who encouraged me here about this. Like I said, since my abusers mixed spirituality poorly with mental illness with traumatic results for all of us, it's a challenge to mix spirituality with healing and recovery from trauma. But with your support I dare to take careful steps in that direction and feel safer than I ever have alone.
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