Checking in on emotional health

[MacGyver]

Over the course of my career, my work has taken me to a lot of unpopular places in the world.  

I've seen the effects of unmitigated hatred as people kill one another in places like Bosnia Herzegovina and Croatia. I've spent plenty of time in the Middle East, and even though I'm only in my mid-40's, I can remember what a awesome city Damascus was before the war. I've slept in the shadow of Khobar Towers. For a bunch of years, my job often took me to these unpopular places.

Talking to a counselor several years ago, she argued that there shouldn't be a D on PTSD.  That nothing is wrong with you - that everything you're experiencing is a normal reaction to extreme stress. I've thought about that a lot over the years.

I found myself thinking about it yesterday as I watched the events of yesterday unfold. I found myself getting irritated. My heart rate was up above where it normally is, and I couldn't seem to relax - nor could I really focus on anything particularly well either. I know these signs, and knew that I was going to have nightmares last night.

I've got a lot of support in my life. I have a hard time with the word blessing - but this is an area where I'm truly blessed.

But I've spoken to a lot of folks today that I know don't have that support in their life. That haven't gotten the support they've needed. Vets. Foreign Service. Agency friends. A lot of us watched yesterday and found ourselves in a weird place. We've seen what happened yesterday a bunch of times other places - but maybe don't have a place to put it when it has happened here.

Anyway, that's a long way of saying - if yesterday has opened old wounds - or maybe opened one some you didn't realize you had - there are folks here in a similar place. 

I'm happy to talk anytime if you need something.  Feel free to reach out.

[gregintenn]

You are the man, Mac!  I seriously get a sense of peace knowing there are still folks like you and TGODavid out there. Thanks!!!

[RED333]

Hi I’m going to be honest, I have enough going on in my personal life to not really worry so much about what happened in Washington. I understand people are angry but there is no excuse for what those idiots did at the capital building. My dad was in the hospital with Covid he’s home now and still having a hard time. My mother has not been eating well and not doing well at all either. On top of that my wife just had a replacement hip surgery done, she’s doing pretty good with it, I am really amazed. So what happens in Washington with those idiots , I have a hard time worrying about it. I do believe things will work out for the better in the long run. As soon as the socialist Democrats try to implement any of their policies I’m sure they will be shot down in due time.

Edited January 7, 2021 by RED333
To thank TGO

[MacGyver]

Brother, you'll be in my prayers.  That's a lot going on at once.  Thankful your dad was able to leave the hospital. It's a long road.

[Quavodus]

MacGyver wish you and your family all the best.

[RED333]

Thanks Mac

[Raoul]

Hmmm. I think John Prime inspires me to say...."pretty good, not bad, I can't complain, cause actually all these pandemics are just about the same".

[pop pop]

I am so fed up with what is going on in this country, I have just quit watching the NEW any more. Politics turns my stomach.  always has. All it does is depress me so I just don't watch it anymore. I voted and lost. So be it. The sun will rise in the morning and life will go on. I am glad I am not dependent on Washington and Just am not interested any more.

Turn off the tube and read and study your Bibles. Train yourself to live like God wants you too. That is what really counts guys.  What happens in Washington is minimal in life. 

[Trekbike]

2 hours ago, pop pop said:

I am so fed up with what is going on in this country, I have just quit watching the NEW any more. Politics turns my stomach.  always has. All it does is depress me so I just don't watch it anymore. I voted and lost. So be it. The sun will rise in the morning and life will go on. I am glad I am not dependent on Washington and Just am not interested any more.

Turn off the tube and read and study your Bibles. Train yourself to live like God wants you too. That is what really counts guys.  What happens in Washington is minimal in life. 

Yep, just unplug.   I've become a lot more disconnected with the news ever since I got into ham radios back in September.     I use to listen to talk radio on my 45 min commute in the mornings and it kept me worked up.    Now I interact with a great bunch of guys from about 5:30am to 6:00 to just cut up and have a good time.    At 6:00 am we have a Bible study net with about 30 folks on the 147.015 Nashville repeater where we pray for each other, read the Bible, and then comment if you want.     It's been a great blessing in my life.     If anyone is interested, but isn't a ham, the repeater is linked to a smartphone app called Broadcastify.  Look for AF4TZ 146.670 Mhz Nashville Repeater.   (You can only listen through the app.)    If you do have a desire to listen through the app, shoot me a PM so I can be aware and mention that you're one of the ones listening in.    We have several from out of state that listen, and at least one guy from Australia right now.  

 

 

Edited January 8, 2021 by Trekbike

[btq96r]

22 hours ago, MacGyver said:

A lot of us watched yesterday and found ourselves in a weird place. We've seen what happened yesterday a bunch of times other places - but maybe don't have a place to put it when it has happened here.

It was surreal to say the least.  Brought a sense of vulnerability because as you mentioned, these kinds of things were what you saw in other countries.  Even if you try to compartmentalize and say, "we'll I've seen something like that before", it's still different because "other places" isn't home.

One thing some vet friends and I have talked about is just how crazy things we've learned to mentally categorize as normal are anything but.  There's a certain mental resiliency in that for the moment, but I wonder how the long term effects are.  Ties into what you mention about the D in PTSD being a misnomer because when a person reaches their limit of stress (and we all have one, I promise you), it's not a disorder, but a reasonable reaction when the mental and/or physical limit has been reached.  James Mattis makes frequent mention of how those moments should really be focused on post traumatic growth, because that's going to get an individual through it faster than thinking there is a problem, or falling into an identity of victimhood. 

Sometimes people need a friend to help them, other times they can do it themselves, just needing the space and time.  But you're absolutely correct in saying this isn't someone anyone has to feel bad about, or go alone if the buddy route is their best way forward.

Thanks for opening the dialogue.