Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: Informational Resources
September 9th, 2008 | Published in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder | 2 Comments
As mere mortals, no one can be expected to know everything about all things. However, information is readily available – and in laymen’s terms – about most items of interest. There are times that we are unable to realize our need to know something until another person alerts us to it. Such is the case with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Available Hardcopy Information
For those who are looking for information in hardcopy format, the following titles should be available at your local public library, bookstore or online from Amazon.com. These are reader-friendly and written for the general public rather than physicians or clinicians. The two most informative titles are:
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Sourcebook by Glenn R. Schiraldi (2000).
Life is good, it has meaning and you deem yourself worthy of good things. A life-changing event occurs without warning and life as you know it no longer exists. Your world is shattered and lacks the safety and security that it formerly provided. Life now lacks fairness and justice.
This sourcebook helps to identify the diverse stressful events that could result in PTSD. The author has assisted and observed survivors. He has seen them recover, grow and find their happiness as they become productive, functional members of society.
The PTSD Workbook: Simple Effective Techniques for Overcoming
Traumatic Stress Symptoms by Mary Beth Williams and Soili Poijula (2002). This workbook is a great follow-up to the sourcebook above. It defines “trauma” and identifies its triggers in list format. Simple and effective techniques for overcoming traumatic stress symptoms are presented.
The following titles may also prove useful. Most are written conversationally for reading by the general public.
ü Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder for Dummies by Mark Goulston (2007).
ü Conquering Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: The Newest Techniques for Overcoming Symptoms, Regaining Hope and Getting Your Life Back by Victoria Lemle Beckner and John B. Arden (2008).
ü Coping With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder by Carolyn Simpson and Dwain Simpson (1997).
ü After the Storm: Healing After Trauma, Tragedy and Terror by Kendall Johnson (2006).
Find It Online
Most readers have access to computer technology in this day and age. Finding information is quite easy with the use of a “search” feature. Sorting this information and knowing the credible from the incredible is not as easy. In a search for information on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, these articles came forth:
www.veteransandfamilies.org is a self-help guide designed to make the transition from deployment to military to civilian life much easier. Veterans And Families is a network offering homecoming support to prepare veterans and their families for this time of change, growth and development.
www.militarytimes.com is an armed forces journal covering news, benefits, off duty activities, entertainment, careers and education, money matters and a very active forum. Of particular interest is the article in the 17 April 2008 issue which reported on a study of the mental health of returning troops. The study called Study: 300,000 vets have depression or PTSD is an eye-opener.
www.veteransforcommonsense.org published an interesting report in their 20 May 2008 issue. Entitled Senator Bond Says Troops Deserve Improved Treatment of Invisible Injuries, Answers on PTSD, this report emphasizes the fact that returning troops with invisible mental injuries are overlooked when seeking treatment through the Veterans Administration. Misdiagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder is unacceptable, but it is happening throughout the VA system.
Related information is located at the following websites:
www.ncptsd,va,gov (National Center for PTSD)
Reliable medical information, written for the general population:
www.mayoclinic.com/post-traumatic-stress-disorder
Assistance with veteran needs:
www.legion.org/national (American Legion)
This listing of resources only scratches the surface of information available online. Depending upon the degree of assistance needed, there are a range of social, psychological and medical personnel to contact within the Veterans Administration as well as the community. If more is required beyond the primary care physician, the local post of the American Legion or the closest office of the Veterans Administration would be the very best contacts that could possibly be made by a veteran.
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January 7th, 2009 at 2:35 pm (#)
With the acknowledgement of PTSD, why does the V.A. only compensate from the time that a veteran brings it to their attention (The Doctors fail to recognise it)rather than when the veteran was released from service?
April 27th, 2009 at 2:13 am (#)
The va does not want to help at all. They always have the advantage.when u do file the claim they deny it or give u the least they can. Appealing is a time killer. It took me 15 years to get service connected.