I just read with sympathy reports on the ABC regarding vets suffering for want of a better term, P.ost T.raumatic S.tress.

And with contempt that it is alleged that they are not appropriately cared for.

Again, not to go on, but this is another reason why I am oft to suggest that it is counter productive to give away your vote to either the blue or the red of politics.

For the life of me I cannot understand why you think to be well treated by the likes of those who confine children in desert camps let alone their historical and ongoing treatment of the Original Australians?

But alas, I digress. What off the shelf complimentary therapy is easily available to give these people some relief? If any? Does anyone have a contribution?

I'll offer one that I became aware of after an encounter with an individual who would descend into the depths of mental anguish on mere sight of a "knife." He has since recovered.

Mellow music of choice encoded with "Binaural Beats" which have the capacity to entrain the brain into generating gentle "Alpha" rythms.

I would suggest that image inducing "Theta" frequencies ought be avoided, and deep dark Delta states, if possible, to be sought after.

There are software solutions available on the web and also expensive commercial solutions like HoloSync. (Note - the Holosync product is actually a Binaurally encoded product, but all of their periphery material of the psychobabble nature and subliminal enconding technologies are non-essential. From memory the first couple of levels are available with plain binaural encoding only.)

Slowly, slowly, no more than 5-15mins per evening pre-sleep for the first week or so, and thereafter don't over do it lest you become audio sensitive.

Finally, this tech ought be considered a compliment, and not a replacement for conventional therapy.

Personally, I prefer the traditional style approach.
Sticking sardines in my ears and wrapping my left foot in chicken entrails does wonders, "Laughter is the best medicine".
I don't mean to be disrespectful to our Veterans, but I've found over time that approaches as outlined above tend to be like acupuncture and such, they only work for believers, the Placebo effect. Every case is individual, there are no guaranteed methods, just things to try, till you find the one, or the combination, that works.

Dear DreamOn,

What Veterans suffer - only they know.

What I don't understand however, if we send them
to places/and conditions that we can't even begin
to imagine, why are we surprised that they may
end up with mental problems?

I had a friend whose brother was sent to Vietnam.
This young man was mentally weak to begin with,
however he was assigned the task of a "medic,"
and what he was asked to do, and what he saw -
God only knows. When the head of a mate landed
in his lap however - he cracked up totally.

They tried to help him when he got back, but he
eventually ended up taking his own life.

And, from the stories my friend heard from other
Vietnam Vets - this was a fairly common scenario.

If we send them to do the "dirty work," for us,
why shouldn't we give them all the support they
need on their return.

To me it would seem that we owe them at least that.

cont'd...

I forgot to add that the following website
may be of interest:

http://www.ajc.com/health/content/shared-
auto/healthnews/trau/525170.html

Virtual Reality May Help Troubled Vets.

MAXIMILLION:

Due consideration is a worthwhile concept I believe. A reading from Wikipedia, a viewing of the research done by the medical science fraternity, an examination of the university papers, a read of those qualified practitioners who currently use binaural therapy in their practices, some testimonials from the sleep clinics perhaps ...

It aint no sugar pill the binaural beat effect rest assured, and a matter about which U could potentially convince yourself of in rapid time if U tried it yourself.

FOXY:

Yes, re:your link, brain waves can also be entrained through the eyes, so the right sort of virtual imagery could well be conducive.

The issue in some cases we are dealing with is localised imbalances of brain chemistry, which have a bio electrical energy potential, and in extreme cases the plasticity of the brain / the brain's inheritant dynamism has been lost to the extent of no longer being self correcting. That could be the result of physical trauma, a failure of the re-uptake mechanism, or otherwise ..

It appears in some cases, and do please note that certain disorders prevent the ability of the brain to discern binaural beats, the underlying brain chemistry which is producing errant localised electrical activity can be entrained into a more regular state. ie if you listen to a 10.5KHz Alpha signal, very quickly the brain will begin to resonate at the same frequency, a phenomenon from the scientific point of view which can be, and has been measured by EEG in a predictable fashion.

Dream on, I was not disputing the effect, merely it's efficacy over-all. I see it as an "influence", just like green paint on the walls, aquariums, children, new-mown lawns, puppies, or a hug from loved ones.
Helpful, but not any sort of a cure, and not worth wasting time on as a treatment therapy.

MAXIMILLION:

But if you have any familiarity with these sorts of conditions, then you would know that there are no cures for the majority of them.

Certainly there are no "Silver Bullet" one shot cures.

Thus, in the absence of a cure, it becomes a question of management, with a view to rehabilitating and training the afflicted to the extent that they are able to live life as much as possible within a "tolerable" window of symptomology.

This requires a wholistic approach. The fundamentals of good health of course apply - diet, exercise, a "warm hug" supportive environment, a pet can help as of course good mates. Colour therapy and an environment rich and stimulating to induce the so called "Disney Land" effect is also important.

But these things alone in the case of some shattered vets ( & others ) is not enough. More powerful interventions are required:

1. Traditionally, pharmoco solutions form a cornerstone but again these alone are insufficient, and neither are they desirable alone due to the in mnay instances significant side effect profiles.

Encouraging the bodies own mechanisms of homeostatic control is something which is achievable with Binaural beats. Rejuventaing natural hormones produced by the brain can be induced in say the Delta states, as measurable by blood analysis, and I can't say enough to do justice to how important this can be in some cases of mental illness, whether it be Post Traumatic Stress or otherwise.

And even brief exposure to Alpha frequency beats can be enough to induce for a limited period a feeling of peace and tranquility which can counter act the terribly debilitating states of prolonged stress and anguish.

A disciplined meditative pose to remain conscious, spine upright is required for optimal effect but this is easily enough taught.

So, suffice to say I do not concur with your view, and yes I have some experience with treating people in this area so know well first hand that the healing potential of the therapy in question is not a thing to be reasonably arbitrarily dismissed.

I am assumming you are reffering to 'modern day vets'. If not I withdraw my post completely!

If so,No disrespect to them but didn't they join the armed forces volentarily?

What! did the guidance officer forget to tell them they may have to fight at some stage.

Remember, they got paid a S- load while on active duty. Meanwhile our police, ambo's and alike get paid apittance in comparison.

The real problem is that our society has nerchered a generation of 'whimps', as oppossed to the past generations that brought up a group of men.

Go ahead all you 'do-goodders', take a bowe, and take a good hard look at what our young men have become.

The next thing you know is they will want compensation for their HIGHLY PAID SERVICES. Did I mention VOLENTARY SERVICES!

I am proud to say that I have one son, soon to be 18 and heading towards being a man!

Now be fair Dream on, you nowhere mentioned complimentary treatments or a holistic approach in your original post. The way it came across to me was that you were discussing this as a stand-alone therapy, to which I responded. In general I concur with most of your later post, so we're not actually that far apart, as I see it. I too have some little experience, not as a therapist, merely in a supportive role with the Salvo's, but have lost vet mates to self-harm, and to mental-illness relating to their service, so I do know somewhat whereof thou speaketh.

You're an archaic fool rehctub.

We don't advertise the realities of war. They don't tell you going in what you'll experience and you don't cover the topic any more than a passing mention. You also don't know how your mind reacts to situations until you've actually experienced them.

Attitudes like yours is WHY there's no help for them. PTSD can happen to anyone, any time. All it takes is a car crash, a break in, a job, whatever.

Unless you've got something positive to add you're better off shutting your hole. I dread your son having emotional drama's somewhere down the track, you know his dad won't be there for him.

We don't advertise the realities of war.
What a load! Every day there is footage of war on the TV. Every day people know more about war today than ever before thanks to our ever present media.

Anyone who joins the armed forces and does not expect to fight at some time has to be kidding. I remember the ladies (young men suposadly) that were crying and saying "mummy, I don't want to go" when the troops were called up to go to ET. And remember, back then, in the late 90's they were on an ADDITIONAL $1000 per week TAX FREE!

If you can't handle the heat, get out of the kitchen.

Soldiers today are far better armed, far better informed and comunications are far superiour to that of the previous vetrans.

I say again, we are simply nurchering a society of whimps. This is the problem.

As for your personal comment on my son, don't worry, he recons he's got the best dad in the world, and that's what counts.

Now you best go back and tend to your flock of panzies!

Oh rehctub, I'd just love to see you walk in to Lavarrack barracks and tell them they're a bunch of wimps and pansies, or Ladies, lol, I suspect you'd get quite a rapid "education"!
To bag the small percentage, though growing, of those so affected is to show yourself as a part of the problem.
Though you may not believe it, most young men these days are far more open and sensitive than their predecessors, and I for one am glad to see it. My two sons (and daughter) have no interest in a military career, and I'm not sorry about that, but I reckon that any person who puts their life on the line for US, our nation, deserves far greater respect than you appear to offer. One who is wounded, loses a limb, an organ, anything physical, is given all they require, and lauded by the likes of you. Do you bag a blinded veteran as a wimp? I doubt it.
Why are those wounded in their mind or soul any different?

Buy a dictionary.

Ouch!!
Spilleng is over rtaed and proevon to be unneccesary in mnay cases. In fact, it has been proevon that so lnog as the frist and last ltteres of many words is cerroct, the human brain is capable of filling in the gpas.

In fact, incorrect spilleng is also an effective marketing tool as msot people can't help themselves when it cmoes to something benig seplt wonrg.

At least I got 'Ouch' splet rhgit hey!

MAXI:

I appreciate, and assume others also, your latter more thoughtful posts. And not to flog a dead horse, but my opening post did include the following:

" ... Finally, this tech ought be considered a compliment, and not a replacement for conventional therapy. ... "

..

ALL:

On a slight tangent, we have "soldiers of Conscience" coming up in the next few days on Australian Network Channel.

..

As for the representative troll, I can't help but wonder if he's the sort to knowingly leave a vet in a hole in the jungle of Vietnam for political reasons?

..

Countries stand or fall at times on the strength of those who militarily fight to defend them as do guvments.

..

My view, is that whether it be loss of legs from red chinese rockets or red chinese road side bombs

(!CRIKEY! did you all see the footage from the ozzie afghan car cam of a r.s. bomb going off? It was like a huge wave of asphalt rising up?)

, mental illness or otherwise, those who put their lives on the line in defence of the collective ought be taken care of and taken care of well and if that means currently Robin Hood taxes and a clipping of the wages of those who can afford it, so be it.

..

When it comes down to it, who would you rather see benefit from your hard earned taxes? Some self interested, money grubbing politician, lawyer or banker,

or the rough diamond digger who'd die in your (hopefully honourable) defence?

..

Think well how to caste your votes dear people, and give a thought to what your real values are?

I again suggest that these people who run about even sparing a thought and some energy also even for fire and smoked out critters, will also care for you.

OH,a bit more re:Afghanistan. We have had on Al Jazheera recently some of the most senior military political figures from n.america. If I did not misunderstand, they unanimously insisted that the only reason that they will lose, if it comes to it, is because the politicians are constraining them in terms of tactics, targets and choice of weapon.

I put it to you, if we have air superiority and superior intelligence collection facilities, how is that masses of foreign arms are making it to those who drove out the Red Ruskies?

Hmmm?

Thus, if our troops are being asked to fight with one hand tied behind their backs then really, notwithstanding its good for the business of some, will produce vet fighters, trial existing tech and develope more of the same,

should we really be asking this of them, only to throw them on the scrap heap once they return?

Too many borders, too many mountains, too many trails, too many little groups of donkeys, innocent ones among the smugglers. I suspect you haven't given enough credence to history and geography.
You'd have to remove the entire population and then kill everything that moved, have thousands of planes in the air at any one time, 24/7, or you'd fail.
The recent Four Corners program covered the subject of this thread very well, if you haven't seen it, I recommend you do.

The Rusians failed so why an earth would anyone try to go there anyway.

As I have always said, if you can take thier picture you can shoot them. They should have sent a crack team of highly paid mercinaries in to wipe out Bin lardin and Saddam then perhaps we, the world, would be in better shape finnacially.

You can't waste trillons on war then not expect to pay the financial cost, let along the human cost.

Typical yanks!

You're just a wucking fanker mate.

You're just a wucking fanker mate.

Oh dear, you just can't help yourself can you. You just have to make it personal.

One would almost assume that it has got under your skin.

Just remember, there is no prize for second! But, if you want a shot at the title mate, bring it on but I warn you, butchers are pretty good and very capable of shutting you down 'without resorting to personal attacks. Move on old mate!

Please.

Actually, you made it personal. You're just TOO STUPID to realise it.

STG
I must have missed something, or is that 'messit smoehthig' as I can't see where anyone has been personal except for your loads
Like:

You're an archaic fool rehctub.

Then this
Unless you've got something positive to add you're better off shutting your hole. I dread your son having emotional drama's somewhere down the track, you know his dad won't be there for him.

And of cause this
You're just a wucking fanker mate.

Care to take your foot out and put the other one in mate.

As I said, there is no prize for second so you had best move on hey!

Now who's the wucking fanker mate!

You belittled returned soldiers with psychological issues as a result of seeing things that no one should see.

That makes it personal. No, I'm not giving you the time with an explanation.

Tool.

Apart from being an archaic fool it highlights that you really have no idea about the universe other than what your up-bringing and genetic coding has informed you about it.

What's next. Vilifying women who miscarried when they choose to have a baby?. God help them if they feel bad about it, eh?. You're just going to slap them on the back and tell them to harden up?.

You belittled returned soldiers with psychological issues as a result of seeing things that no one should see.

That makes it personal. No, I'm not giving you the time with an explanation.

Tool.

Unlike your 'personal' attack of me, There is nothing personal in what I said as I was reffering to a portion of a group of people, no one person in particular. Now if that's what you call 'being personal', then that's your choice.

Care to dig another hole!

Last word.

Thank fcuff for that!

Word. Last one.

Now children, stop your squabbling. If I have to come in there, you'll regret it, so go to sleep!

Woof.

StG and others, the Troll in the thread is clearly that.
From a medical perspective he is clueless.

Perhaps he feels by helping saving $ on spent out vets he'll get some extra commission from his masters, whoever they may be?

I printed out his comments and showed them to a serving "mate"
He suggested things not publishable here.

..

As for Afghanistan, well, we are not talking about donkey loads of arms here Maxi. In Iraq, camels & sheep made for sport with the pilots so I imagine you get some points for donkeys.

No the issue in part can be traced to the testimony of
*Harry Winza*
(yes, son of Charlie Winza)

who advised us that his vet mate next to him who had no legs lost them to red chinese munitions.

Of course the red chinese advise that they should not desist in their trade with the Taliban's suppliers as human rights should not be connected with trade. Heard that before? Yes, from ugly australian miners and their politician mates in the states and canberra.