A Military loaded with PTSD: How can we REALLY help them?

by Chaplain Michael Tummillo

The mind boggles.

Incredibly, the number of suicides among active-duty military personnel has now surpassed the number killed in action (CLICK). PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) may be a large part of the problem. I believe there IS a solution.

America's military hospitals are using virtual reality therapy on troops suffering from PTSD. Though I appreciate the motivation of the individual health care professionals involved in treatment (my own wife is an RN), I find the techniques I've read and heard about concerning PTSD to be nothing short of diabolical. That's merely my own professional opinion as a minister of the Gospel, however; you can make your own decision. In this therapy, the patient is exposed to digitally-recreated combat situations that not only include digital imagery and sound, but also smells and tactile sensations. The concept theory? Repeatedly expose these patients to scenarios triggering their PTSD until side effects are reduced. In other words, until the soldier stops flinching at the sound of an IED exploding under the vehicle traveling in front of him or her. 

Next victim!

The technique incorporates smells such as gunpowder, cordite, burning rubber, Iraqi spices, barbecued lamb and body odor. Unbelievably, the soldiers wear goggles, earphones and can feel vibration through a subwoofer beneath their chair. Treatment sessions are 90 minutes long, twice weekly.

Your tax dollars at work, folks. I have a feeling the VA hospitals aren't funded based upon the number of soldiers cured; they are funded according to the number of people funneling through their doors. Dr. Mengele (Hitler's notorious "Angel of Death") would be proud. To me, this so-called "treatment" is like breaking a kid's arm over and over until he doesn't cry anymore. 

Sick!

Surely this desensitization program has an impact on the troops in every aspect of their lives and might explain why it is the divorce rate in the armed forces - and the suicide rate - is so high. 

Have you heard of HBOT (Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy)? There are many articles online regarding this technique which seems to be quite successful in actually healing PTSD patients. From that article, "...even three years after the vets sustained brain injury, one month of HBOT was able to induce improvements in brain blood flow, cognition, symptoms, and quality of life, while the veterans experienced fewer suicidal thoughts.

"Specifically, improvements were seen in 92% of vets experiencing short-term memory problems, 87% of those complaining of headaches, 93% of those with cognitive deficits, 75% with sleep disruption, and 93% with depression. There were also improvements in irritability, mood swings, impulsivity, balance, motor function, IQ, and blood flow in the brain, as well as the reduction in PTSD symptoms and suicidal thoughts. And there was a reduction in—or complete elimination of—psychoactive and narcotic prescription medication usage in 64% of those previously prescribed the medication."  (CLICK FOR COMPLETE ARTICLE)

After reading this article on HBOT, I have to question how badly America REALLY wants to support her troops. I mean, help appears to be available... REAL help. Why not give them what they really need? If you are, or know a vet struggling this way, consider pursuing this treatment on your own. Do NOT allow money to be an object. Friends, churches, organizations, corporations might consider pooling their resources and tending to soldiers out of their own pockets, minus the red tape. Let's put our money where our mouths are, shall we? 

Anybody can slap a "Support the Troops" bumper sticker on their car. I support Wounded Warriors myself, but how much MORE can we do, folks, to really help these hurting heroes and their families? 

Good is the enemy of best. What we're doing is, obviously, not good enough.

Please forward to every military person, pastor, VA physician, newspaper publisher you know.