The unsaid issue
behind the rising vet suicide rate is shame based guilt regarding killing
experiences, which violence inducing psychotropic drugs can only numb ~ but my
heart centered counseling program in California can and has successfully
facilitated self-healing, self-forgiveness and inner transformation, and all
without drugs: Dr Allen L Roland
No
one really talks about the psychic damage that combat veterans feel when they
take someone's life, regardless of the military situation ~ but the effect
is real and usually manifests itself as shame based guilt whereas the innate
deep need to love and accept love is quite often permanently disabled.
No amount of
psychotropic drugs can ease that psychic burden and even Gen. Peter Chiarelli,
the Army’s No. 2 officer, who has long been an advocate for soldiers suffering
from the invisible wounds of war ~ such as PTSD and TBI ~ also advocates the
need for other alternative approaches ~ " I want to understand what drugs we
should use to treat these symptoms, if we should use any drugs at all. I want to look into alternative
pain management. We
are finding there are other ways to handle pain that are more effective and
allow a person to feel a lot better than throwing a bagful of drugs at them.” See article ~ http://www.govexec.com/defense/2011/06/armys-no-2-officer-worries-about-wars-toll-on-mental-health/34236/
A bag filled with
violence inducing psychotropic drugs are not the answer for treating our
returning veterans, especially since for every US soldier killed this year,
at least 25 veterans commit suicide. The US military has lost more troops
to suicide than to combat for over two years in a row and a better cause
versus symptom based understanding of combat-related risk factors for suicide
is now critical.
In 2007, the US Department of Defense issued $3 billion in contracts for bulk pharmaceutical purchases, many of which are option periods from an original award and that number is significantly higher now ~ we’re talking big money here!
Here’s one of those drugs in that bag. After the recent massacre of 16 Afghan civilians by a U.S. soldier, as well as scores of military and veteran suicides and homicides, more light is being shed on the military’s zombie potion, Mefloquine (Lariam).
Mefloquine is an anti-malaria
drug, invented by the military that has been known for some time to have severe
psychiatric side effects including psychotic behavior, paranoia and
hallucinations. The drug has been implicated in numerous suicides and
homicides, including deaths in the U.S. military as well as Peace Corps. With
so many other anti-malarial medications available, one has to wonder why the
military continues to distribute Mefloquine (Lariam) at all.
A must see 13 minute Video: Democracy Now
So let’s take a
closer look at the bagful of drugs (Care of big Pharma) that are currently
being thrown at combat veterans as well as their adverse effects regarding the
likelihood to be associated with violence versus other drugs ~ and then read a new SFVA study that indicates
the psychic damage of veterans who experience killing experiences.
A recent study
published in the Public Library of Science online journal (PloS One @ www.plosone.org) by the Institute for
Safe Medication Practices (ISMP @ www.ismp.org)
listed the top 31 prescription drugs that can cause violent or aggressive
behavior in those consuming them.
Note that Prozac, Paxil and the
amphetamine drugs as well as Lariam are # 2, # 3 # 4 and #5 on the top-ten list:
10. Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq) ~ Pfizer’s newest
antidepressant (a knock-off of Effexor, note the similarity of the generic
terms) that artificially stimulates both serotonin and noradrenaline. The
drug is 7.9 times more likely to be associated with violence than other drugs.
9. Venlafaxine (Effexor) ~ An
antidepressant that has marketing approval for both depression and anxiety. The
drug is 8.3 times more likely to be associated with violence than other drugs.
8. Fluvoxamine (Luvox) – A so-called
“selective” serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) A drug that is 8.4 times
more likely to be associated with violence than other drugs.
7. Triazolam (Halcion) – A benzodiazepine
(a so-called “minor” but highly addictive tranquilizer) drug for insomnia that
is 8.7 times more likely to be associated with violence than other drugs.
6. Atomoxetine (Strattera) – A
psychostimulant drug that is 9 times more likely to be associated with
violence than other drugs.
5. Mefoquine (Lariam) – An anti-malaria
drug that is 9.5 times more likely to be associated with violence (including
homicide and suicide) than other drugs.
4. Amphetamines – This general class of dangerous
and highly addictive psychostimulant drugs is 9.6 times more likely to be
associated with violence than other drugs.
3. Paroxetine (Paxil) – An SSRI
antidepressant, (with psychostimulating, mania-inducing effects) that is 10.3
times more likely to be associated with violence than other drugs. It is also
linked to severe withdrawal symptoms and birth defects.
2. Fluoxetine (Prozac) – A popular SSRI
antidepressant drug that is 10.9 times more likely to be associated with
violence than other drugs.
1. Varenicline (Chantix) – A dopaminergic
anti-smoking drug that is a shocking 18 times more likely to be associated
with violence than other drugs.
A new SFVA study
strongly suggests that soldiers who experience killing experiences are twice as
likely to attempt suicide ~ which strongly supports the reality of soul damage as a
contributing factor for the rising rate of veteran’s suicide as well as the obvious need for a
proven heart centered approach toward veteran rehabilitation.
This important April
13, 2012 research study abstract was entitled ~ KILLING
IN COMBAT MAY BE INDEPENDENTLY ASSOCIATED WITH SUICIDAL IDEATION ~ and
the SFVA released the following abstract:
BACKGROUND:
The United States military has lost more troops to suicide than to combat for the second year in a row and better understanding combat-related risk factors for suicide is critical. We examined the association of killing and suicide among war veterans after accounting for PTSD, depression, and substance use disorders.
The United States military has lost more troops to suicide than to combat for the second year in a row and better understanding combat-related risk factors for suicide is critical. We examined the association of killing and suicide among war veterans after accounting for PTSD, depression, and substance use disorders.
METHODS:
We utilized a cross-sectional, retrospective, nationally representative sample of Vietnam veterans from the National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study (NVVRS). In order to perform a more in depth analysis, we utilized a subsample of these data, the NVVRS Clinical Interview Sample (CIS), which is representative of 1.3 million veterans who were eligible for the clinical interview by virtue of living in proximity to an interview site, located within 28 standard metropolitan regions throughout the United States.
We utilized a cross-sectional, retrospective, nationally representative sample of Vietnam veterans from the National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study (NVVRS). In order to perform a more in depth analysis, we utilized a subsample of these data, the NVVRS Clinical Interview Sample (CIS), which is representative of 1.3 million veterans who were eligible for the clinical interview by virtue of living in proximity to an interview site, located within 28 standard metropolitan regions throughout the United States.
RESULTS:
Veterans who had higher killing experiences had twice the odds of suicidal ideation, compared to those with lower or no killing experiences, and substance use disorders were each associated with higher odds of suicidal ideation. Endorsement of suicide attempts was most strongly associated with PTSD.
Veterans who had higher killing experiences had twice the odds of suicidal ideation, compared to those with lower or no killing experiences, and substance use disorders were each associated with higher odds of suicidal ideation. Endorsement of suicide attempts was most strongly associated with PTSD.
CONCLUSIONS:
Killing experiences are not routinely examined when assessing suicide risk. Our findings have important implications for conducting suicide risk assessments in veterans of war. See Report:
Killing experiences are not routinely examined when assessing suicide risk. Our findings have important implications for conducting suicide risk assessments in veterans of war. See Report:
These findings offer
even more justification for heart centered workshops for combat veterans as
well as other heart centered therapy. We’re talking about soul damage here and
only a heart centered intervention can effectively treat that psychic
despondency ~ as I have consistently demonstrated with combat veterans who
have virtually all participated in killing experiences.
I have long felt and
have now proved that PTSD is quite often Post Traumatic Heart Disorder for a
common symptom of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is the inability to give or
receive love ~ which can obviously apply to non-veterans who have also
suffered significant loss or emotional childhood and/or adult psychic pain.
I have also clearly demonstrated that only after the heart is
touched can true self-healing occur for only then does the client (veterans or
otherwise) truly want to heal. Using the premise that what is deepest
within us is love (not anger) and utilizing an action oriented approach to face
and go through their heart felt fears ~ these veterans, soon discover that
beneath their pain, anger and shame is not only love and joy but most
importantly their true authentic self.
The purpose then of
the Healing the Wounded Heart Workshops is to penetrate the grey zone of guilt,
aloneness and unworthiness, that many combat War Veterans diagnosed with
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) experience, and this is done within a
supportive group setting through heart centered self-exploration, group
sharing, guided visualization and action oriented homework ~ where love and joy
eventually overcome fear and separation.
But this is also the same approach I individually use with non-veterans who have suffered psychic loss and have emotionally closed their hearts and are suffering post traumatic heart disorder whereas they are unable to give or receive love. The miracle of heart centered counseling is the power of love and gratefulness ~ for when your heart is awakened through love and gratefulness, you not only want to heal but you also know or at least sense your next step in the self-healing process. See article ~ http://www.veteranstoday.com/2013/02/12/miracle-of-heart-centered-counseling-is-self-healing/
I have completed 11
Band of Brothers workshops over the past three years but I'll use Band of
Brothers #5 as an example of the success of this program. 21 PTSD symptoms
were included on the evaluation survey and the veterans were asked to rate
their level on the 1-10 scale ( with 1 being “ Very Poor “ and 10 being “ No
Problem or excellent” for each of the PTSD
conditions Before and After the 8 week workshop.
Here are some of the after
workshop results ~ with an average symptom improvement of 59%.
Feeling
Joy
75% improvement
Fear of
intimacy 63% improvement
Emotional
pain 65% improvement
Love
59% improvement
Peace
69% improvement
Gratitude
75% improvement
The figures speak for
themselves but the one that leaps out at me is the 75% improvement in Joy and
gratitude.
These combat veterans have
not only survived the ultimate firefight of battling fear on the journey
to their heart but are now experiencing the delight of not only being
themselves but the joy and gratitude that they are
truly healing themselves and can
finally begin to give and receive love.
Here are two participants comments
from their workshop evaluation; "I
have progressed farther in the workshop’s 8 weeks than I have in 25 years of
on-and off private therapy. I've been given a very informative look at myself.
I understand much more about my own experiences. So many answers to so many
questions. I feel alive! Gaining
a different perspective on life helps me to see my true self. It's nice to feel
love and a sense of self-worth"
"My
quick temper and bouts with anger are gone. My dreams are no longer violent and
I have not flown out of bed since the workshop. I am able to fall asleep and
remain asleep. My relationships with my wife and family have improved
immensely. The comradeship that grew with the other participants was wonderful.
I feel very strongly that the “ Healing The wounded Heart “ workshop should be
added to the VA’s inventory of most effective tools used in re-adjustment
counseling to combat the life destroying effects of PTSD.”
Testimony
to the Effectiveness of Dr. Allen Roland’s Heart Based Counseling
"I
was fortunate to have been selected among veterans undergoing readjustment
counseling to participate in Dr. Allen Roland’s Healing the Wounded Heart
Workshop No. 5 in 2011. Dr. Roland acted as our guide in leading us
through a series of incredible exercises that enabled each participant to
reestablish contact with long forgotten feelings of joy and despair that we
experienced during key events throughout our lives. During this process,
we didn’t analyze events. We experienced them emotionally. In
doing so, we were able to return to a state of soul consciousness where we were
able to open our hearts and express and share our deepest feelings with
others. Each and every member of our ‘Band of Brother No. 5’ reached
a turning point at a different time as the program progressed. Upon
reaching this place of choice, each of us was able to resolve past resentments
that we may have harbored towards others and took full responsibility for our
lives. Personally, I can only describe the changes I underwent as the
opening of my heart to others and the reconnection of my consciousness to my
soul. As a result, my quick temper and bouts with anger that
frequently lead to physical altercations with others have dissolved.
My formerly recurring violent and intense nightmares have dissipated and I
sleep through the night. I now interact socially with others
comfortably and accept them with an open heart. Following numerous break
ups over the years, my relationship with my loving wife is renewed and
lasting. Two years following Dr. Allen Roland’s heart based
counseling, I’m happy and at peace."
If combat veterans
are responding positively to these once a week eight week action oriented heart centered workshops ~ it’s
time for the VA to open the door to alternative healing methodologies which the
rest of the country are already acknowledging, supporting and experiencing.
In that regard,
here's a testimonials from one of my recent non-veteran individual Skype
clients who completed this same heart centered counseling work in just seven
sessions;
"Skype
sessions with Allen Roland are an
accelerated, comfortable and effective method for getting to the root of, and
solving your problems. I reached a point in my life where I no longer
enjoyed things that were once fulfilling, and came so easily to me. I had no
understanding as to why actions that I've made hundreds of times now seemed
impossible and insurmountable. By simply logging onto my computer (in my
living room), something I do countless times a day, instead of continuing on a
path of despair, I connected with a compassionate, thoughtful, and experienced
coach who guided me from grief back to a state of well-being, progress, and
accomplishment. I suffered from psychosomatic issues that prevented me from
doing what I love, and with Allen's online help, I am now more excited than I
have been in a long time, to follow my passion, and do things that make me
happy. I highly recommend Skype sessions with Allen, as they are
convenient, life-changing, and rewarding."
Hopefully, the VA
will soon shift its veteran’s treatment focus from
just symptom management ( through drugs) and coping toward the real impact of
trauma experiences on the human soul - the detachment or quite often further
disconnection from one's inner spirituality, well being and above all the
capacity to give and receive love.
There is no true
healing without love, and gratitude is the
quickest path to unlocking the door of a closed heart.
Allen L Roland
Allen
L Roland is a practicing psychotherapist, author and
lecturer who also shares a daily political and social commentary on his web log and website allenroland.com He also guest hosts a
monthly national radio show TRUTHTALK on www.conscioustalk.net
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