A PTSD Book for Every Therapist, Counselor, Minister, Social Worker, and Psychiatrist Who Works with Vets
From the book publishers description
The New England Journal of Medicine reports that 16 percent (one in eight) of returning Iraq veterans suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. Such vets typically can’t hold jobs. They are incapable of intimacy, creative work, and self-realization. Some can’t leave the house because they are afraid they will kill or be killed.
The key to healing, says psychotherapist Ed Tick, is in how we understand PTSD. In war’s overwhelming violence, the soul—the true self—flees and can become lost for life. He redefines PTSD as a true identity disorder, with radical implications for therapy. First, Tick establishes the traditional context of war in mythology and religion. Then he describes in depth PTSD in terms of identity issues. Finally, drawing on world spiritual traditions, he presents ways to nurture a positive identity based in compassion and forgiveness."
I found this wonderful book at the public library. Indeed, he is right. PTSD is much more than an anxiety disorder. The author calls it an identity disorder, and indeed it is.
Trauma is the key word. Trauma results in change--a literal adaptation to a traumatic penetrating circumstance. Many of us have been traumatized and wounded in childhood. There is childhood emotional abuse and sexual abuse. There is also confusion, cruelty, and rejection. I will say right now that one of the most devastating forms of trauma results from cruelty, rejection or abuse at the hands of a parent.
It need not be overt. It can be very subtle. I will never forget Dr. Mosher, founder of Soteria House, talked about parents who are hyper critical and confusing and the effect it had.
On the battlefield, or for that matter in a confusing situation of mayhem and violence in a gang infested area, a person who is exposed to mindless violence, betrayal, and inexplicable cruelty is shocked traumatized and numbed. There is a loss of identity. There may also be a transference of identity, which I will not address here.
There is much I could say on the topic, but I have written several books and produced a complementary meditation to assist a victim of a trauma producing situation to recover a connection with his or her ground of being.
Recovery depends on refinding and reaffirming love and truth. The person needs to know without any doubt that love and truth do exist. Secondly, when contact is made with his ground of being, he becomes aware that he is known and that he is forgiven for what errors he may have committed.
Upon being touched by love, he or she is then able to forgive self.
A great man spoke of the mystery of our lost identity. The soldier, the victim of a rape or a gang violence, or the victim of genocide situations like Nazi Germany or Rwanda has experienced a heavier duty version of something the whole human race suffers from. We have lost our true identity. We search for it out in the world but it is not there. We are looking for the Father we have never known, our spiritual Parent and closest relative.
May God bless you to realize that you undoubtedly have never known Him. You expected to find the face of God in your parents, especially your father. When He failed you or rejected you, you thought God had rejected you. You resent others, including your parents who failed you. And your hate separated you from finding God within.
Know now that God does not hate you for whatever errors you may have committed in a trauma producing situation. All He asks is that you acknowledge and stop running from what you know in your heart. All He asks is that you forgive others, now knowing that they too are victims. No one loved them either. What they did that was cruel or confusing was an expression of a wrong identity. They were not themselves either.
Forgive them by letting go of resentment. Just beyond the tears, the sun is shining and the birds are singing.
