Millions of men and women. have served in a combat zone. Each experienced it individually, in their own unique ways. Their responses to what they experienced, may have been totally different than mine.

But, Traumatic Stress Conditions do not just develop for combat veterans. The conditions affect approximately 3.5 percent of U.S. adults every year; and an estimated one in 11 people will be diagnosed with conditions related to traumatic stress in their lifetime.

Traumatic Stress is not a physical injury. But, following exposure to a stressful event, conditions can develop that may present adverse symptoms for those who have experienced or witnessed, an event involving physical injury..to themselves or others; or the threat of physical harm to themselves.. or to others.

From the combat perspective, the condition has been known by many names in the past ~ “shell shock” during World War I.. “combat fatigue” after World War II.. and Korea.. and “PTSD” beginning with Vietnam.

Mental Health professionals prefer to consider it to be a psychological or mental disorder. My experience lead me to believe, that, rather than a mental disorder, it is a condition that presents with a constellation of many disconnected symptoms.

To reduce the stigma of seeking assistance for a “Mental Disorder”.. I choose to view my condition as more closely resembling Diabetes.. a serious life threatening condition.. that must be managed for the balance of a person’s life.

Many different stressful events can trigger symptoms. Any event where someone has been threatened with death.. or serious injury to themselves.. witnessed the event happening to someone else.. or has been repeatedly exposed to ongoing high stress.. traumatic activity.

People suffering symptoms may have intense.. disturbing thoughts and feelings.. related to their experience.. that last long after the traumatic event has ended. They may relive the event through flashbacks.. or nightmares - they may feel sadness.. fear.. shame.. resentment.. or anger.

Their thinking may be confused.. lacking focus.. and they may feel detached.. or estranged from other people. The may be anxious.. hyper-vigilant.. paranoid; and may avoid situations.. or people.. that remind them of the traumatic event - and they may have strong.. negative reactions.. to something as ordinary as a loud noise.. or an accidental touch.

In the years since Vietnam, researchers have dramatically increased our understanding of what causes PTSD.. and how to treat it.

In his book “War and the Soul”, Dr. Edward Tick reflects that - “war stamps the soul with an indelible imprint; and the soul that went to war.. is often tragically transformed”. “But this transformation.. need not be permanent; need not lead to disability and debilitation.”

Today.. treatment advancements in a wide range of psychotherapy.. cognitive therapy.. alternative therapies.. and counseling.. have turned toward healing the war-wounded soul.. by helping a traumatized person better understand their thoughts.. and reactions ~ and help them learn techniques to cope with distressful.. and challenging situations as they arise.

Although extreme caution is necessary.. Medications can also be used to help reduce tension.. anxiety.. irritability ~ or improve sleep; allowing time for the therapy sessions to address.. and improve symptoms.

In our instant gratification, and fix me quick culture.. it seems to me that too often the temptation is to medicate to quickly.. and for too long ~ treating the symptoms.. rather than the addressing the underlying causes.. which are the triggering traumatic events.

Obviously.. all of these treatments require working closely with a team of professional counselors.. and medical personnel with knowledge related to treatment of challenges presented by traumatic stress..

Today.. significant concerns need to be directed to the the Post 9/11 generation of Veterans. Many researchers believe that due the duration of the most recent conflicts.. and multiple deployment into these combat zones.. these young men.. and women.. will quite likely experience greater post traumatic stress challenges than prior generations..

This stark reality places even greater demands on the medical care.. and counseling professionals tasked with helping them address the challenges to their health..and overall well-being.

Sadly.. it is estimated that as many as 7,500 veterans commit suicide every year - 20 per day.. nearly 1 per hour. While veteran suicide is not limited to younger veterans.. a recent poll found that more than half of post 9/11 veterans know at least one colleague who has committed suicide.. or are having thoughts of suicide.

In his book “WAR and The Soul”, Edward Tick addresses “Healing these Veterans”. Thankfully.. not every returning warrior is going to commit suicide ~ but upon return from combat.. many discover that their outlook.. and feelings have changed dramatically. The innocence of the 19 year old recruit has long since been shattered.

According to the prevailing fantasy -- now that they are home.. all is to be well again ~ but, the reality for many.. is quite different.

For many, their reality is a life of chaos ~ confusion.. disruption.. marital strife.. financial distress.. homelessness.. substance abuse, addiction.. risky behaviors.. occasional incarceration; and sadly for some suicide ~ 20 per day.

These dedicated warriors deserve the transition support that they need; and.. we as a society that sent them to war.. owe it to them to properly welcome them back home.

This is not just a problem for the military to solve. As the study of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder continues to develop.. the expectation.. and hope is that our understanding.. and treatment will improve as well.

The problem is that as we wait for a breakthrough in treatment.. those who are struggling resign themselves to a life where their primary goal is to make it from one day to the next ~ and so.. instead of identifying the trauma.. and the resulting conditions as a serious life event.. and learning how to move beyond it.. many will allow that event to define who they are ~ and a moment in time.. a traumatic.. and abnormal one.. to be sure.. now becomes the lens through which every action.. every thought.. and every relationship.. is filtered. Often with devastating effect.

So, Is it really a mystery that the suicide.. divorce.. and substance abuse rates among those who suffer are so high. That is why.. instead of accepting the label.. and the diagnosis.. it is essential to understand the practical implications of Post Traumatic Stress ~ and then.. develop a plan to move forward ~ .to offer hope to those who are suffering. We need to provide these warriors with compassionate.. holistic.. continuing care for however long they may need it to address the challenges they face in their daily lives

By doing so.. we can facilitate a life-altering transformation in the quality of their lives.. and the lives of their loved ones ~ and maybe.. just maybe.. we can live up to Edward Tick’s hopeful message that – “The impact of war need not lead to disability.. and debilitation.”