Is Marijuana the Answer to Help PTSD Symptoms?

As a counselor I deal with many issues, self-medicating is a big one. Chad came into my office and asked me to explain what the term “Dual Diagnosis” meant. His clinician used the term and Chad did not ask what it meant feeling he should know. I explained to him how many veterans self-medicate by using drugs or alcohol to suppress Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Dual Diagnoses is described by mental health professionals as a practice that treats people who suffer from both an addiction (in Chads case Marijuana) and a psychiatric disorder (PTSD). Chad is not alone; a lot of veterans use cannabis to suppress their PTSD symptoms. In the mental health community, we see a lot of this with our veterans, some veterans refuse to use the VA because of the fear from losing benefits because of his self-medicating.

Chad struggles with PTSD and is like so many other veterans he uses the marijuana to help him sleep. The VA has said that they will not take away a veteran’s benefits for marijuana use, but so many veterans don’t believe the VA because of their past experiences, and what other veterans have been through. I have several clients who use marijuana to help them with their PTSD, they tell me but not the VA. Some veterans are scared they will lose their VA benefits, and others don’t want to be preached to about their cannabis use. According to the VA website the VA believes the use of marijuana for PTSD is a growing concern, and notes the use of marijuana by veterans has steadily increased throughout the years. In 2002 the known cases of veterans using cannabis for PTSD was 13%, that number has jumped to 22.7% in 2014. It is possible fewer veterans disclosed their usage of marijuana in 2002 than 2014 for fear of losing their VA benefits. It could also be, so many veterans have multiple deployment increasing their possibility to get combat PTSD. It is also possible the numbers are bigger because there are so many veterans like Chad who do not trust the VA.

Marijuana is not new to the military or veteran communities. Vietnam Veterans were raised in a time when the use of marijuana was normal in civilian and military communities. In Vietnam marijuana was the preferred drug for Veterans getting away from the reality of war. During Vietnam marijuana was tolerated by the higher ups even though it was illegal. It took the media in 1968 to disclosed the popularity of marijuana in Vietnam for the higher ups to cracked down on its use. Many Vietnam veterans continued to use marijuana when they returned home to survive their PTSD, and some continue over 40 years later.  

While researching this subject I found the VA to be ambivalent in their reasoning for not studying the positive effects of Marijuana for PTSD.  On the VA’s website they claim “research suggest that marijuana can be harmful to individuals with PTSD”, but also claims that little controlled research has been conducted on the use of marijuana for PTSD. In the past the VA has refused to look at marijuana as a possible treatment for PTSD. The VA recently disclosed a plan to study the effects of marijuana on PTSD patience at Phoenix, AZ and Baltimore, MD VA hospitals. We will see where the study will lead but many veterans are skeptical of the study.

It is understood that today’s marijuana is different than that of 40 years ago. The potency of tetrahydrocannabinol or (THC) has increased 10 fold and could increase the risk of adverse effects. After talking to a licensed psychologist I can see where the use of marijuana could be a problem. She suggests that marijuana decreases motivation and causes paranoia leading to other problems. If used incorrectly the usage of marijuana can also cause sexual dysfunction in chronic users. The psychologist noted the important part of the success of the study or usage of marijuana for PTSD would be educating physicians on marijuana. Prescribing the correct dosage including the level of THC, which can be controlled, is the key to a successful study.  

Chad is just one of the veterans I know that use marijuana for his PTSD. It is troublesome that so many veterans use marijuana for their PTSD and the VA is starting to look at it after 40 years. Many veterans like Chad will continue to use marijuana against the wishes of the VA. Until it is proven that the use of marijuana is or is not helpful in the treatment of PTSD many veterans will continue to use it for medicinal purposes. It’s about time the VA starts to study what so many veterans feel is helpful to them.

For questions or comments, I can be reached at afterdutyvets@gmail.com or visit our website at marriedtoptsdpro.com and like us on Facebook at Married to PTSD Pro.

Women Are In Combat

At a veteran’s event I was talking to a Lara a female employee of the Veterans Administration (VA). We spent a lot of time talking about issues within the system. She had served 10 years in the Army before she was medically retired due to her Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Like most people I assumed her PTSD was from a sexual assault. I was wrong, she had combat PTSD. She explained that my assumption was a major reason many female veterans will not reach out for mental health services or file a claim for PTSD because of the shame associated with sexual assault. I assumed that any female who has PTSD must have gotten it from sexual assault not combat, I assumed incorrectly.

I have said in past columns that I have yet to meet a female veteran who had not at a minimum been sexually harassed. Lara continued to educate me and said I was the third person that she had heard the sexual assault assumption from.  Lara informed me she had not been sexually harassed or assaulted during her time in the Army. We continued to talk and she told me that most people still struggle to believe that female veterans served in combat, let alone getting PTSD from a combat experience. Lara explained how a struggling a female veteran she knew could have gotten a 100% disability rating if she included her combat PTSD. She refused to include PTSD in her claim for fear people would assume her PTSD was from a sexual assault not combat, she did not want to deal with the shame associated with people assuming she was sexually assaulted. She did not want to be seen by society or other veterans as a victim.  

Lara continued educating me on her experiences and discussed how she had been struggling for quite a while because there are no groups for female veterans with combat PTSD. She tried to go to a combat PTSD group and an older veteran asked what was she doing there, women can’t have combat PTSD, women don’t serve in combat! That is a huge misnomer. There has been over 800 women wounded and 130 who gave the ultimate sacrifice since the wars started in 2001.

Recently women have been ok’d for combat, even some who have made it through Ranger school. Female veterans see combat whether society likes to admit it or not. In the past women were not trained for combat but they continued to take on rolls that place them in the line of fire during support missions. Women have been in convoys since day one of our recent wars. On today’s battlefield women receive and return fire. One of the most effective ways for our enemy to do damage to our psyche is road side bombs or Improvised Explosive Devices (IED). These tactics focus on convoys, and females are a part of them, leaving them susceptible to combat just like their male counterparts.

Female veterans need and deserve the same treatment males get for their psychological issues. According to Lara female veterans do not like to attend combat groups because most of them are full of older veterans who have not seen or believe women should be in combat. These females have earned and deserve their own groups for PTSD. The numbers of female veterans speak for themselves. They were 1.9% of casualties and 2.4% of all deaths. More than 280,000 women have served in OIF/OEF and they now make up to 20% of new recruits. Females are 14.5% of the 1.4 million in the military and 18% of the 850,000 reservist. Many of these women have been directly exposed to combat and have earned the benefits.

The center for women veterans was established by congress in November 1994. There has been little done for women veterans until recently when they started to fight for their rights. I have had several conversations with the Women Veterans Program Coordinator at the Loma Linda VA about women’s issues. She is working hard to make the Loma Linda VA a safe place for female veterans to go. I have sent several of my female clients to the Loma Linda VA women’s clinic and they have been happy with the care and services they have received.

Our women veterans deserve to be treated just like male veterans and have the same benefits from the VA. If you are a female veteran or know one, please visit or support the women’s clinics at the VA. The VA Loma Linda Healthcare System offers a variety of health services to address the unique needs of female veterans. Look to see if your local VA has a female veteran’s clinic. Female veterans have earned the right to the same benefits male counterparts receive, take advantage of them. The more female veterans utilize their clinic the more the funding will increase. Don’t be scared to get what you have earned. Don’t let others assumptions stop you from getting what you deserve.

For questions or comments, I can be reached at afterdutyvets@gmail.com or visit our website at marriedtoptsdpro.com and like us on Facebook at Married to PTSD Pro.

Desert Storm Veterans 28 Years Later

As a Desert Storm combat veteran, I am reminded by the younger veterans how old I am getting, with love of course. I am starting to feel my age. Last year I decided it was time to deal with some of my medical issues I have overlooked for 25 + years. After a lot of thought I decided to file a claim for Gulf War syndrome since I have some of the issues associated with the war. After I filed my claim the VA sent me to a contract doctor who diagnosed me with a Desert Storm presumptive illness. My diagnosis for a presumptive condition was denied and classified as not service connected.  

I decided to have the VA reconsider their determination asking them how a presumptive can be considered not service connected. I had not used the VA in the past because I am retired and have Tri-Care so utilizing the VA didn’t make since to me. I didn’t want to take resources away from other veterans who needed them worse. I dealt with my issues through my civilian primary care provider. Believing the VA might need more information on my condition I gathered my civilian medical records and tried to transfer them to the VA, I thought it would be easy, boy was I wrong! I had to be placed in their system taking resources away from veterans that needed them worse. This was not what I wanted, but I had no choice.

Once in the VA system I was issued a primary care provider and a new VA card. My new VA primary care provider saw me for about an hour and I was done. I attempted to give her my civilian medical records and she sent me to the records department. There they told me I needed a request from my VA primary care provider before they could place my civilian records with my military ones. I had to put in a request for a request that my VA primary care physician wanted my civilian medical records placed in my records. About a week later I was told the request was approved and I could give my civilian records to the VA. There is no way to know for sure if the civilian records are even considered in the VA’s disability determination. What I did not realize is the medical arm of the VA has nothing to do with the compensation and pension arm, and they don’t talk to each other. Through all this I kept asking how a presumptive is not service connected, no one could tell me.

I often ask other veterans if they understand what a “presumptive” is to the VA and many don't. A presumptive to the VA is they assume that certain diseases can be related to a Veteran's qualifying military service, therefore making them presumptive. According to Military Times if a veteran is diagnosed with a presumptive condition, Veterans Affairs is required to assume that it is military-connected, and that the veteran is then entitled to medical or disability benefits associated with the diagnosis. Since I was denied I figured gulf war syndrome is the new Agent Orange. Research reports from the Institute of Medicine (IOM) and the Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses (RAC) have reported on research studies that have consistently shown high rates of Gulf War Illness symptoms among veterans of the 1991 Gulf War.

After 28 years we are seeing similarities between what the VA did with Agent Orange and how the VA is dealing with Gulf War Syndrome. Presently 80% of all gulf war claims for gulf war syndrome are being denied, I am one of them. The present Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) veterans' claims are being denied by less than 2%. According to this report 98% of GWOT claims are being approved. It appears that after 28 years of dealing with issues, Desert Storm veterans are getting the same treatment the Vietnam Veterans received with Agent Orange. It makes you wonder when they will start denying claims for the new veterans as they get older. Some things take time to manifest, we are taught to “suck it up and deal with it”. I did not seek help until it was too painful for me to function properly. Not complaining does not pay off. I guess Veterans need to start complaining and stop sucking it up and dealing with it like we did in the military. It appears that is what the VA is counting on, being a good troop and pressing on.

 
Below is the list of Presumptive medical problems for Agent Orange and Gulf War Syndrome

Presumptive for Agent Orange

·         AL Amyloidosis

·         Chronic B-cell Leukemias

·         Chloracne

·         Diabetes Mellitus Type 2

·         Hodgkin's Disease

·         Ischemic Heart Disease

·         Multiple Myeloma

·         Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

·         Parkinson's Disease

·         Peripheral Neuropathy, Early-Onset

·         Porphyria Cutanea Tarda

·         Prostate Cancer

·         Respiratory Cancers 

·         Soft Tissue Sarcomas 

Desert Storm Presumptive

·         Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

·         Fibromyalgia 

·         Insomnia

·         morning stiffness

·         headache

·         memory problems

·         Functional gastrointestinal disorders

·         Examples include irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

·         functional dyspepsia

·         functional abdominal pain syndrome

·         Undiagnosed illnesses with symptoms that may include but are not limited to: abnormal weight loss, fatigue, cardiovascular disease, muscle and joint pain, headache, menstrual disorders, neurological and psychological problems, skin conditions, respiratory disorders, and sleep disturbances.

For questions or comments, I can be reached at afterdutyvets@gmail.com or visit our website at marriedtoptsdpro.com and like us on Facebook at Married to PTSD Pro. 

Veterans Must Tell Their Story

I often wear my Desert Storm hat in public because I am proud to be a veteran. I love for other veterans to come up to me and tell me their story, and all veterans have them. Some stories are funny, some are serious and others are downright bothersome. On occasion, a civilian will come up and thank me, but usually it is a veteran who thanks me for my service. I was not prepared for what happened last week at a local restaurant. A young man who appeared to be about 10 years old came up to me, shook my hand and thanked me for my service. He was followed by his younger sister who did the same. Their dad had a huge smile on his face and said, “I am trying to raise them right” I shook his hand, and thanked him. I assumed he was a veteran or in the military because of his haircut. He told me he was a law enforcement officer. I can honestly say I was impressed. Of all the people that have thanked me these children moved me the most. At times, we write off the newer generations but they usually come through.

Since the most recent wars started in 2001 the country has seen a significant increase in patriotism that most veterans did not expect. Before the most recent wars it was unusual to see a Vietnam veteran hat anywhere, now you constantly see them. I believe our society feels some guilt for the way we treated the Vietnam veterans, as they should. Between the Vietnam Veterans and societal guilt our veterans are getting the recognition they deserve. Some struggle with their time in service and feel it is too much recognition. Most of them don’t wear the hats or shirts, they set quietly in their corner because they are struggling or feel they are boasting if they bring attention to themselves. For the most part if they are wearing a hat or shirt stating they are a veteran it is ok to thank them because they are opening the conversation by wearing their military veteran clothing. But veterans are disappearing. A 2014 survey indicated there were 19.3 million military veterans, of which 9.4 million are over 65 years old and only 1.7 million are younger than 35. With the estimated suicide rate of 20 veterans a day committing suicide more than 69% of veteran suicides are among those age 50 years and older.

We also have the least number of veterans serving in congress in our nation’s history. In the house of representatives 90 of 435 seats are filled with veterans, in the senate 26 of the 100 seats are veterans. Less than 22% of those serving in congress are veterans. This number will more than likely continue to decline because of the amount of money it takes to run for a seat, most military veterans do not come from wealthy families with the money needed to run for the Senate or House. If the younger generations do not understand what veterans have done in the past they will be lacking information for the future, we need to let them know the sacrifices veterans have made. 

I challenge every veteran to spend more time telling their stories to children in their family. If you get the opportunity go to a school and volunteer to tell your story to a history class. We don’t need to get into the details, just discuss what you have done for your country and how you fought for the freedoms they have. The younger generation will be playing a part in who will be controlling the conversation in the future. As they age we need them to continue to fight for our promised benefits. They will be the ones who drive the discussion in the future concerning the Veterans Administration and will be setting the funding. If they do not know what has been sacrificed they might feel the need to stand by because they don’t understand. It is our job to help them understand. Since only 7 % of the population has ever served, only 1% have served since 2001 it is imperative that we tell the younger generation our stories. Keep our history alive to help prevent history from repeating itself. It’s also important for future VA funding. Please get involved in telling your story. The library of Congress has a program called the Veterans History Project. Please consider it and tell your story, veterans future might depend on it. If there are more children like the ones that approached me last week we stand a chance to get the benefits we have earned.

For questions or comments, I can be reached at afterdutyvets@gmail.com or visit our website at marriedtoptsdpro.com and like us on Facebook at Married to PTSD Pro.

Veterans Should Support Local Veterans Programs

Eric is a 35-year-old US Army Afghanistan War veteran who served 2 tours in Helmand province. He has been at the veteran’s center for about a year and usually avoids me because he does not want anyone to think he’s crazy. Eric finally came into my office last week and started to vent about the negative news uncovered about the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP). A prior employee of the WWP quit his position to protest the excessive spending on conferences and meetings. He also questioned WWP leadership about why there was little if no follow up to those who had utilized their program, their response was “Wounded warriors call us, we don’t call them”. To many veterans the WWP is sacred because of what they profess to do for veterans. But recent events uncovered about the WWP has given some veterans another reason to not trust civilians or the system.  

It bothered me when I saw a report from CBS that the wounded warrior project is wasting money and spending large sums of their donations on raising more money. They spent 26 million dollars in 2014 on meetings and conferences which is about the same amount the organization has spent for combat stress recovery, its top program according to the CBS report. It’s estimated that the wounded warrior project has raised over 1 billion dollars since 2003. A little research showed at the time of the disclosure of the misused funds the WWP had 16 people on their executive staff. The CEO along with 8 other executives are not veterans. This causes some veterans to question WWP motives.

I recognize the WWP does do some good work for some, but I question how they spend their money after exploiting our veterans to raise it. The WWP spends very little of their funding on mental health. I will admit I have a bias about the unseen wounds. Mental health issues struggle to raise money because there is no “shock” value and the victims look unscathed. Mental health plays a large part in the 20 veterans a day who commit suicide. I work in the mental health field, attend veteran’s functions, and go to allot of veteran’s events and have met only one veteran who received any substantial help from the WWP. I talked to one veteran who said he had attended a couple of WWP events and now all he gets is e-mails asking for money.  One ex-employee stated "A lot of the warriors I saw needed mental health treatment. They don't get that from Wounded Warrior Project,"

According to their web page the Wounded Warrior projects combat stress recovery program states they address the mental health and cognitive needs of warriors returning from war. CSRP provides military rehabilitation services at key stages during a warrior's readjustment process.

We challenge warriors to think about goal-setting and understanding their "new normal." Many warriors begin their journey with an outdoor, rehabilitative retreat that promotes peer connection, challenging outdoor experiences, and healing with other combat veterans.

This is fine to a point but their mental health issues should be addressed in the beginning of their treatment. Many wounded veterans need more than an obstacle course to improve their confidence. They need support from mental health professionals that see them on a weekly basis to help them work through the loss, grief, venerability, guilt, and shame of their new normal. Their new normal should involve a life of forgiveness and acceptance. Many who work through their mental health issues have spent years in therapy, it can’t be done on an obstacle course. Their needs to be consistent follow-up not an attitude of “Wounded warriors call us, we don’t call them”. The major veteran’s programs like the WWP have corporate sponsors. They also have a lot of overhead and salaries.

Eric does not appear to have any mental health issues but he is concerned about how veterans are being exploited to raise money. We talked and he left less frustrated but still annoyed. My suggestion to veterans who want to help is to get involved with a local veteran’s organization and ensure your brothers and sisters are taken care of. I suggest that those who want to contribute money to veteran’s organizations donate to local groups where you can see your donations at work.

For questions or comments, I can be reached at afterdutyvets@gmail.com or visit our website at marriedtoptsdpro.com and like us on Facebook at Married to PTSD Pro.

Things that Bug Veterans

A group of veterans were watching protesters burning flags on TV. Leonard went crazy, yelling it’s not right for anyone to burn the flag, who do they think they are. That made me think about what Leonard was feeling, and how other veterans felt about various issues in our society. I started talking to other veterans from different generations, as it turns out we don’t look at things the same way. Why do we let some things get to us?  Certain things drive some veterans crazy and some things don’t. I thought I would put a few of them together for everyone to mull over.  Let’s start with what set Leonard off.

The flag of the United states is sacred to most who served. Burning the flag angers most Americans especially veterans. To those of us who served under the flag it is disrespectful. We have fought, defended, and lost friends while serving under the flag. Our flag is special to us and it is demoralizing to see it desecrated in that manner. Another form of disrespect is displaying the flag upside down. We are taught that the flag being upside down is the sign of distress, and displaying the flag upside down is disrespectful unless used in an actual distress situation. Even though we don’t like it, this is what we fought for, the ability of our people to say or do what they want, it is what makes the US special. At times this includes putting up with people who want to burn our flag, or wear our flag upside down. Because we have fought to give them the right we don't feel it’s appropriate for them to be disrespectful to our values, but we have to accept it.

Being respectful is one of the core values of every military branch. Being on time is one of the key elements of that respect. When we were in the service were taught, if you’re not 15 minutes early you are late, this doesn’t hold true to many civilians and it drives allot veteran’s crazy.  Military member feels they respect others and should be respected in return, the problem is many civilians don't feel the same.

Some veterans who have worn the uniform proudly feel disrespected when civilians wear parts of the uniform if they never served. Often times I will walk up to someone wearing parts of the battle dress uniform (BDU) uniform. I usually ask what branch they served in and about 50% of the time they will tell me they never served. They may have gotten the clothes at the surplus store, or given them by family but it still bugs allot of veterans. I understand why they would want to wear the clothing, they are comfortable and great utility work clothing, but it still bugs me and a lot of veterans.

War is not a movie, and telling a veteran that you understand because you have seen a movie is disrespectful. Unless you have served in the military there is no way you can fully understand the culture and brotherhood. The closest a civilian can get is being a spouse or military brat. The media plays a part in the lack of understanding. Countless veterans believe the media does not cover the reality of war. From 1991 to 2009 the media was not allowed to show the flag draped coffins of our fallen. Many veterans and families felt the government was sanitizing the cost of war. The media did not protest loud, they just accepted it. Our fallen were flown in at night when they could not be seen and the media played along. The media did not protest and the cost of war was not seen by the general public. The rules have changed but many media outlets still fail to show the cost of war. Their perception is showing the cost of war, by not showing the coffins of our fallen, is too graphic, war is real and graphic, the media should report the truth. The government played it off as being respectful to the families, but some veterans felt it was to prevent civilians from seeing the true cost of war and eliminate protests against the war and for political gain.  

The military branches are not the same. Many times we don’t even understand each other’s rules and dress codes. Every branch is unique. The Air Force and the Marines are totally different, we share very few commonalities. But that’s ok were family. When outsiders disrespect one branch they are disrespecting all of the military and all branches will join the fight. It’s like a brother and sister relationship, I can do it but an outsider can’t.

Please don’t tell a veteran you were going to join the military. Our comment will be why didn’t you join. Just because you “wanted to join” don’t give a civilian the credit or respect they seek from the veteran, it shows veterans your insecurities and you didn’t think you could serve or had the will to do what it takes to become a member of the military. It’s better to not say anything, thank you might work.  

The last thing that bugs me is strings. Yes strings on your clothes. It’s crazy but strings on your uniform got you in trouble during inspection and it still drives me crazy to this day. All veterans are brainwashed to a point. We are taught what the military perceives as right and wrong. That sticks with us for most of our lives. This perception of right and wrong can be as small as strings, or as large as burning our flag. I understand why Leonard felt the way he does he, like all who fought under the flag, have differing views of how to look at it. I look at it as being wrong, but I understand that some have given their lives for their rite to burn the flag or protest. I always remind them of that when I get the chance to address protesters. Like everyone else in society veterans are different even though we are the same. We are veterans who have fought for your right to be wrong.

For questions or comments, I can be reached at afterdutyvets@gmail.com or visit our website at marriedtoptsdpro.com and like us on Facebook at Married to PTSD Pro.

Terrorist Events Difficult for Veterans

Michael is a Purple Heart recipient who attends a local college in San Bernardino California. He was a combat medic for two tours during Operation Iraqi Freedom Veteran (OIF). He has Post Traumatic Stress (PTSD) from when his Humvee was attacked using an improvised explosive device (IED) on a bridge in Iraq. Months prior to the terror attacks in San Bernardino Michael saw a (mine-resistant, ambush-protected truck) MRAP at a stop light in San Bernardino. The sight of the truck in his city caused him to freeze; when the light changed, he just sat there. He was confused for a second and thought he was back in Iraq. At the time Michael was one of the biggest opponents of using military equipment by police in the United States I have ever met. At the time, he was concerned over the misuse of the equipment by police, after our discussion I found out he was not alone, many veterans feel the same way as Michael about the use of military equipment by police.

Over the past couple of months, before the terrorist attack in San Bernardino, the conversation over military equipment continued in the veteran’s center. Over time, veterans researched which local police forces had gotten military equipment. To their surprise, they found local police forces have gotten allot of military equipment. Since the North Hollywood shooting southern California cities and counties have received military equipment included three automatic rifles for use by the Baldwin Park CA. Unified School District. The city of Covina CA received night vision sniper scopes for their officers. Redlands CA received 32 automatic rifles and a mine resistant vehicle. San Bernardino County CA has gotten millions of dollars in air support, including helicopters and a transport airplane. It is my guess that San Bernardino CA and surrounding police forces used much of this equipment when the terrorist attack in San Bernardino occurred.

The use of this equipment and the tactics on American soil in San Bernardino caused some veterans and their family’s severe distress. Watching the incident unfold on television caused a range of emotions in veterans. Seeing the images on television of armored vehicles, assault weapons and military tactics caused some to feel they needed to protect their families and their country. Some went on with their lives, even driving in the assault area, armed with the gunmen at large. A couple of veterans indicated the sight of the police using their equipment and tactics caused them to have flashbacks. Another said, “The police looked like us when we were advancing into cities in Iraq. I now understand why the Iraqi and Afghanistan people were afraid of us. “I felt like an Iraqi kid”. Other veterans felt the need to be armed and ready. One carried his handgun with him when he left his home that day. Another barricaded his family in his house and went into full battle mode. A client wanted to get his gun and go looking for the assailants. Each veteran handled their feelings differently, some went into a defensive posture, others wanted to go into assault mode and some kept doing what they normally do. The sight of these tactics and use of military equipment is something they thought they left behind and would not have to see on American soil, they were wrong.

I saw a gamut of emotions from our veterans during the San Bernardino terrorist attacks. Some wanted to attack and others wanted to cry, others were in pure defiance mode, either way their lives were changed, and their training kicked in for some. This terrorist incident so close to home and the use of military tactics used in an American city is distressing to many citizens especially veterans. The actions by some of our veterans during the terrorist attack has caused discussions between them and their families that had not previously taken place. Some of these discussions could lead to problems between veterans and their families. When a veteran goes into “battle mode”, it scares their families and they start to question their loved one’s sanity. As a society, we cannot underestimate the impact this type of incident has on our veterans and their families. These necessary actions distress all of us but it affects our veterans differently. I talked to Michael a couple of days ago. He has started to look at the use of military equipment by police differently, but it still affects him.

For questions or comments, I can be reached at afterdutyvets@gmail.com or visit our website at marriedtoptsdpro.com and like us on Facebook at Married to PTSD Pro.

Often Overlooked But Always There

With November 11th being Veterans Day I would like to pay tribute to veterans that don’t get the recognition they deserve and give them some information they might not know. About 12% of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), and Operation New Dawn (OND) veterans are women. Another 18% of National Guard and Reserves are women. Combined with all of the other female veterans there are a lot of women have served over the years. These veterans are finally starting to utilize the Veterans Administration (VA) healthcare system and it appears the VA has finally noticed the needs of all veterans, not just the males. According to representatives from the VA there have been some major changes in their system for female veterans. According to the VA 6% of their users are females with an estimated 641,000 who have enrolled and about 620,000 who use their VA benefits. Gloria is one of those women who deployed with the National Guard and now utilize the VA health care system as her primary medical needs. She is happy with the service she receives at the VA and all I can say is, it’s about time female veterans get what they need and deserve.

I recently attended a training conducted by the VA on the needs of female veterans. I go to these trainings because I have multiple female clients and friends. I am always looking for ways to help them and training and contacts is key to helping all veterans. Gloria has had a positive experience with the women’s clinic at the VA. She gets her medical needs met and feels safe there which is a change from her past experiences. It is when I hear stories like Gloria’s that I want to get the word out. The VA appears to be trying to change the culture towards females, it’s about time. During the training the VA official actually admitted they have been fundamentally flawed when it came to women’s issues. They have had a history of catering to men having little regard for female veterans in the past and they are trying to change.

During her presentation, the VA official brought to light some changes in the system that caters to female veterans. In the past there were only doctors trained for men’s issues, female issues were secondary, if at all. The VA now has a women’s clinic with a doctor trained to treat female veteran’s needs. When calling patients from the waiting room, they use to call all names of veterans as Mr. In military culture, it is normal to be called by last names. According to the reprehensive the VA is trying to use last names when calling patients limiting the possibility of getting the gender wrong. There are now children’s changing tables in restrooms, both men and women’s, and more female restrooms. It does appear times are changing for the better I just hope it continues.

I have come to realize over the years the VA is not transparent as they should be. When I asked for an interview with the Women Veterans Program manager I was told I would have to go through public affairs for an interview. I have talked to several female veterans about their military experiences and why they don’t want to be recognized as a veteran. I would like to hear from the VA their thoughts on why so many female veterans do not identify as veterans, or don’t want to be recognized as being a veteran. Why don’t they stand up and get the credit and respect they have earned? Are female veterans embarrassed to be a veteran? Does the shame of Military Sexual Trauma (MST) prevent women from admitting they are veterans? Is it because civilian men who did not serve treat female veterans differently when they learn that the female served and they didn’t?  Why are female veterans 3 times more likely to be single parents? Why don’t they stand up and be recognized in public? Do they not feel accepted at veteran’s service organizations? Do male veterans make them feel uncomfortable? These are tough questions that only female veterans can answer and needs to be looked at. I would like to know what the VA believes and what they are planning to do about it.

It is important that our society gives credit and respect to our female veterans, they have earned it. I support them and always have. My wife is a veteran, I have friends, clients, and students who are female veterans. I can never fully understand what some female veterans went through while serving, but I can empathize and be an ally. When I attend female veteran’s events I feel I’m not wanted there, and I understand, I could have been a MST perpetrator. I have been told that females don’t want me at some events. I was told that I could not attend a female veteran’s event last year that I helped plan and organize. Of the 50 or so people who were at the training about female veteran’s issues I attended there were 4 men. One worked for the county, and another worked for the VA. This is troubling because female veterans need male allies. There are a lot of men that want to help, we just need to be accepted. I would like female veterans to let males they know and trust help them get what they have earned. They need to stand up proud and let the world know that they matter and get the respect they have earned. There are a lot of female veterans that stand up and get noticed for their service, but many I have talked to stay in the shadows. I want all of the female veterans in the shadows to come out and let us thank them for their service to our country. Happy Veterans Day to all veterans, especially the sheroes!   

For questions or comments, I can be reached at afterdutyvets@gmail.com or visit our website at marriedtoptsdpro.com and like us on Facebook at Married to PTSD Pro.