Defence Bank Foundation’s Post

PTSD, as in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, is quite prevalent among our heroes, military veterans, who are experiencing symptoms such as intrusive memories, adverse changes in thoughts and mood and avoidance of trauma reminders. However, a recent study published in JAMA Network Open suggests that trained psychiatric service dogs can help alleviate symptoms of PTSD. Please read below: #petloss, #petlossgrief, #petlosssupport, #petlossgriefsupport, #APLB https://lnkd.in/gu5H94Qq

Shell shock. Invisible battle scars. Hidden wounds of war. There have been many attempts to define the mental health challenges that service members struggle with in the wake of their service. But regardless of how you describe it, service members with PTSD and other mental health concerns deserve and need support as they navigate their recovery. PTSD can affect all aspects of a person’s life. Those who struggle with it often experience distressing flashbacks to the traumatic moments of their service, hyper-vigilance and insomnia, as well as feelings of sadness, anger, depression, anxiety or even estrangement from their loved ones. PTSD doesn’t just affect service members but their military family members as well. And while mental health is a complicated issue that is not easily solved, the USO is committed to supporting and uplifting service members and military families through every step of their service – through our USO Centers, through our programs and even through our canine volunteers. As PTSD Awareness Month comes to a close, read how a veteran and his service dogs are supporting wounded, ill and injured service members alongside #theUSO. #PTSDAwareness https://lnkd.in/g-pJizWc

Help us spread the word that effective PTSD treatments are available. Everyone with PTSD - whether they are Veterans or civilian survivors of sexual assault, serious accidents, natural disasters, or other traumatic events - needs to know that treatments really do work and can lead to a better quality of life. Taking a PTSD self-screen can help you learn if your feelings and behaviors are related to PTSD. Things that bother you now or keep you from doing things you want or need to do could be related to a trauma in your past. You're not alone, and there are PTSD treatments that work. So, why wait? That said, you can take the screen any time. The goal is to help you get the treatment you deserve. If you are concerned about someone else, you can share the PTSD self-screen with them. https://nuvi.me/so4ed6

Help us spread the word that effective PTSD treatments are available. Everyone with PTSD - whether they are Veterans or civilian survivors of sexual assault, serious accidents, natural disasters, or other traumatic events - needs to know that treatments really do work and can lead to a better quality of life. Taking a PTSD self-screen can help you learn if your feelings and behaviors are related to PTSD. Things that bother you now or keep you from doing things you want or need to do could be related to a trauma in your past. You're not alone, and there are PTSD treatments that work. So, why wait? That said, you can take the screen any time. The goal is to help you get the treatment you deserve. If you are concerned about someone else, you can share the PTSD self-screen with them. https://nuvi.me/o993ix

Help us spread the word that effective PTSD treatments are available. Everyone with PTSD - whether they are Veterans or civilian survivors of sexual assault, serious accidents, natural disasters, or other traumatic events - needs to know that treatments really do work and can lead to a better quality of life. Taking a PTSD self-screen can help you learn if your feelings and behaviors are related to PTSD. Things that bother you now or keep you from doing things you want or need to do could be related to a trauma in your past. You're not alone, and there are PTSD treatments that work. So, why wait? That said, you can take the screen any time. The goal is to help you get the treatment you deserve. If you are concerned about someone else, you can share the PTSD self-screen with them. https://nuvi.me/gutrch

The everyday struggle is real; PTSD can be an incredibly challenging condition to manage. It affects not only mental health but also influences daily life, relationships, and the ability to cope with stress. It’s important to acknowledge that struggling with PTSD is not a sign of weakness but a response to trauma. Seeking professional support, whether through therapy, support groups, or even self-care strategies, can make a meaningful difference in finding ways to navigate the symptoms. Remember, progress may be slow, but each step forward is a victory in the journey toward healing. You're not alone in this—resources and people can provide support. Reach to the Veteran Crisis Line If you or a loved one are experiencing a mental health crisis or need immediate help, the Veterans Crisis Line is available 24/7 by calling 988 and pressing 1, or by texting 838255.

PTSD and Substance Abuse in Veterans: Understanding the Connection. According to the National Center for PTSD, many Veterans with PTSD also struggle with substance abuse. This dual challenge can severely impact their well-being. - Over 2 in 10 Veterans with PTSD also have substance use disorder (SUD). - Nearly 1 in 3 Veterans seeking SUD treatment also have PTSD. - Veterans with PTSD are almost twice as likely to smoke compared to those without PTSD. - About 1 in 10 returning Veterans seen in VA have alcohol or drug issues post-Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. - Veterans with PTSD and alcohol problems tend to engage in binge drinking. - PTSD can lead some individuals to use drugs or alcohol, worsening their symptoms. This can result in additional health problems, strained relationships, and difficulties in daily life. For support and guidance tailored to your needs, contact SOBA Therapy today. We want to help.

PTSD is often associated with military men and women (thank you for your selfless service), but the truth is, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder can stem from many experiences, one of the most devastating being child abuse. The trauma of child abuse is deeply scarring and affects so many levels of a person’s life, often reverberating across generations. It’s not just something you leave behind; it lingers, manifesting in different ways, at different times, often triggered by seemingly unrelated events. For me, child abuse trauma started at age five and lasted into my early teenage years. The effects of that trauma made me overly sensitive to everything, especially any form of confrontation or aggression. Confrontation, whether real or perceived, would literally paralyze me. I didn’t know how to deal with it, so I did what I knew: I cried, prayed, and cried some more. Eventually, God led me in the right direction, but standing up against the grain was incredibly difficult for me. Loud noises, raised voices, profanity, even nonverbal cues like facial expressions—these things used to paralyze me because they felt like abuse all over again. I would instantly revert to that terrified little girl, unsure of what to do, so I did what most scared little girls do—I became invisible, voiceless, and appeasing. I hated confrontation; it would drain me to the point where I had to lie down just to regain my strength. I would cry for days, feeling utterly helpless, all while maintaining my day-to-day responsibilities on the outside. But inside, it was like reliving that childhood trauma over and over again. I share this in the hope that it helps someone else understand why they might react a certain way. PTSD from child abuse is much like the experience of a military person who’s been in combat. They hear a car backfire or a firework go off, and suddenly, they’re back in the war zone. It’s difficult to come back to reality, and even when you do, you build walls around yourself, walking on eggshells to avoid triggering those traumatic feelings again. It takes weeks or even days to recover, and during that time, life doesn’t stop—you still have to function, even though it feels like it’s sucking the life out of you. These conversations are difficult and painful, but they are necessary. We must continue to talk about child abuse, raise awareness, and advocate for prevention because the effects are long-lasting and destructive. Child abuse kills, steals, and destroys. Recovery is not easy, and it’s not a quick fix. It’s a process, but if you put in the work, you can live a purposeful life. There will be triggers, and you’ll have to revisit the pain, but you won’t stay there. It’s worth it, I promise. When God delivered me, I vowed to use my life as a testimony, to help someone else get through it. Veronica

🐕🦺🐾🦮🐾 After 17 years in the United States Army, and two terrifying tours in Iraq, Luis Carlos Montalvan was medically discharged with severe Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD for short. He had suffered several combat-related injuries, including a broken back and a traumatic brain injury. He was plagued by flashbacks, had trouble being in public, was severely depressed, and had suicidal ideations. Enter Tuesday, the therapy dog who almost flunked out of training! When the night terrors would torment Luis, Tuesday would nudge him awake. When Luis thought he heard an intruder in his home, Tuesday would explore the house to reassure him. Sadly, in 2016, Luis's pain became too much for him to endure. But not before he was awarded two Bronze Stars, a Purple heart, and writing The New York Times best-selling book, Until Tuesday: A Wounded Warrior and the Golden Retriever Who Saved Him. All too often I hear people lauding police, those who serve in the military, and other first responders, only to shrug when they are no longer about to serve due to injuries be they physical, psychological, mental or emotional. Various programs have popped up to help those afflicted to cope with these challenges, one of my favorites are those involving therapy animals. Here are some of the benefits. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐃𝐨𝐠𝐬 𝟏. 𝐄𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 - Dogs offer comfort and companionship, reducing feelings of isolation, anxiety, and depression that often accompany PTSD. 𝟐. 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐮𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬 𝐨𝐫 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐬 - Service dogs are trained to notice signs of distress during flashbacks or nightmares and provide physical contact (like nudging or licking) to help interrupt the episode and bring the person back to the present. 𝟑. 𝐑𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐲𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 - Individuals with PTSD often feel constantly on alert, which can be exhausting. Service dogs provide a calming presence, allowing the person to feel more secure and safe in public spaces. 𝟒. 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 - Caring for a service dog provides structure and a sense of purpose, which can be grounding for those struggling with PTSD. 𝟓. 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 - Service dogs help veterans and first responders reintegrate into society by giving them a reason to engage in social situations, which might otherwise be avoided due to anxiety. In these last days of Suicide Prevention Month, why not learn a little about some of the organizations providing therapy dogs for those who have served in various capacities? I'll list some in the comments if you'd like to check them out Be safe and well, my friends. P.S. - This picture is of therapy dogs waiting to be let into hospital rooms to comfort sick children. DM me for a great video of a therapy dog in action. #personaldevelopment #ptsd #suicideprevention #firstresponders #veterans