Recovery Tips for War Veterans on Overcoming PTSD
An Interview with Therapist Gary Chapin, M.S., LCPC, LADC, NBCCH
Are you a war veteran that is experiencing post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)? Are you unsure on how to overcome PTSD? For tips on how to overcome PTSD, I have interviewed therapist Gary Chapin, M.S., LCPC, LADC, NBCCH.
Tell me a little bit about yourself.
" My interest in trauma therapy began in the early 1980's while I was completing my graduate degree at Southern Connecticut State University and working as an intern in a methadone clinic in Bridgeport, Connecticut. At that time, Post Traumatic Stres s Disorder appeared in the DSM as Post-Vietnam syndrome. PTSD was not well understood. There were even reports in the professional literature that falsely attributed Vietnam veterans' readjustment problems not to war-related traumatic stress itself, but to preexisting personality characteristics. Over the years there has been extensive research attempting to understand PTSD. Various approaches to PTSD treatment have been promising, but surprisingly inconclusive. Today, much of my outpatient practice continues to be focused in this area. With over 25 years experience as a licensed psychotherapist, hypnotherapist, and clinical supervisor, my areas of practice include specializations in the treatment of psychological trauma, catastrophic illnesses, anxiety disorders, and depression. I have also served in the public sector as an addiction recovery specialist providing consultation for crisis intervention therapists, trauma worke rs, and child protection teams. "
What is some recovery tips for war veterans on overcoming PTSD? What type of professional help is available for war veterans that are having a difficult time overcoming PTSD?
" PTSD recovery begins with the understanding that PTSD is a normal reaction to a terrible experience, not a sign of weakness that is attributable to preexisting personality characteristics. Treatment for PTSD should provide a strong educational component to help trauma survivors un derstand how the mechanisms of PTSD affect their feelings. PTSD related memories tend to be more disorganized and difficult for the brain to integrate than other memories. They can take on a life of their own so that events that do not constitute an immediate danger can nonetheless trigger a trauma survivor to have a full-fledged threat response. The symptoms of PTSD can include but are not limited to flashbacks of what was seen, felt, and heard at the time of the trauma, a heightened sense of danger, low self esteem, fear of the future, loss of a sense of meaning in life, irritability, nightmares, guilt, disrupted relationships, and substance abuse.
Identifying the most effective treatment focus for overcoming PTSD can be a formidable clinical challenge, but I have found hypnotherapy to be particularly useful to patients I have worked with over the years. Clinical hypnosis is one of the quickest and most effective ways used today to create profound and permanent change. My approach is to teach techniques that patients can use independently to effectively deactivate threatening emotions and perceptions. In hypnosis patients are deeply relaxed and can comfortably learn coping skills and grounding techniques to experience a more fulfilling and meaningful life.
The National Center For PTSD ( http://www.ptsd.va.gov .) provides an extensive listing of treatment resources and trauma related educational materials for U.S. Veterans and the general public. This is a great website for anyone having difficult time overcoming PTSD."
Gary Chapin is in private practice in Rockland, Maine. For more information on his work you can check out his website at www.GaryChapin.com
Recommended Readings:
How to Overcome Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Published by Jaleh
JALEH holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a Masters of Science in Marriage and Family Counseling. She is the book author of Making Marriage a Success and Life's Little How to Book which can be... View profile
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