Bouncing Back From War Trauma

"Thirteen years ago, the United States entered into a Global War on Terror (GWOT) and has deployed over 2.5 million troops in three operations : Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) in Afghanistan, the Philippines and other locations; Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF); and Operation New Dawn (OND) in Iraq. Approximately 42 percent of service members have deployed more than once in support of GWOT. As with earlier wars, the GWOT wrought physical and psychological war trauma to wounded warriors -- and these visible or invisible injuries affect their lives forever. But the effects and recovery vary from person to person. This paper asks whether the visibility of the injury plays a role in a wounded warrior's resiliency. Ultimately, I find the visibility of the injury has some influence on a wounded warrior's resiliency across four recurring resiliency themes: first, a wounded warrior's personal support network; second, his or her core convictions; third, the types of rehabilitative programs available; and fourth, his or her military identity and experience."--Abstract.

Thirteen years ago, the United States entered into a Global War on Terror (GWOT) and has deployed over 2.5 million troops in three operations: Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) in Afghanistan, the Philippines and other locations; Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF); and Operation New Dawn (OND) in Iraq. Approximately 42 percent of servicemembers have deployed more than once in support of GWOT. As with earlier wars, the GWOT wrought physical and psychological war trauma to wounded warriors - and these visible or invisible injuries affect their lives forever. But the effects and recovery vary from person to person. This paper asks whether the visibility of the injury plays a role in a wounded warrior's resiliency. Ultimately, I find the visibility of the injury has some influence on a wounded warrior's resiliency across four recurring resiliency themes: first, a wounded warrior's personal support network; second, his or her core convictions; third, the types of rehabilitative programs available; and fourth, his or her military identity and experience. Thirteen years ago, the United States entered into a Global War on Terror (GWOT) and has deployed over 2.5 million troops in three operations: Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) in Afghanistan, the Philippines and other locations; Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF); and Operation New Dawn (OND) in Iraq. Approximately 42 percent of servicemembers have deployed more than once in support of GWOT. As with earlier wars, the GWOT wrought physical and psychological war trauma to wounded warriors - and these visible or invisible injuries affect their lives forever. But the effects and recovery vary from person to person. This paper asks whether the visibility of the injury plays a role in a wounded warrior's resiliency. Ultimately, I find the visibility of the injury has some influence on a wounded warrior's resiliency across four recurring resiliency themes: first, a wounded warrior's personal support network; second, his or her core convictions; third, the types of rehabilitative programs available; and fourth, his or her military identity and experience.This compilation includes a reproduction of the 2019 Worldwide Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community.As of January 19, 2015, two percent (52,345) of deployed servicemembers have been wounded in action with additional research showing that the visible injury prevalence includes 1 percent amputations; 10-13 percent musculoskeletal, shrapnel, blindness or other eye injuries; 1 percent burns; 54 percent multiple injuries to extremities; and 29 percent head and neck injuries. Although the overall percentage of troops with visible injuries is small, the prevalence of invisible wounds in the 2.5 million GWOT veterans is astounding. Experts estimate at least 50 percent of GWOT veterans will seek treatment for one or more problems such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), depression, suicide attempt, and/or substance abuse. Studies also show that 31.8 percent of wounded warriors with visible injuries also suffer from PTSD. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is another invisible injury in GWOT wounded warriors, affecting nearly 20 percent. When visible and invisible injury prevalence is combined, one can see the impact the Global War on Terror has had on our servicemembers and their lives now as wounded warriors.

"As foreign assistance flows into post-conflict regions to rebuild economies, roads, and schools, it is important that development professionals retain a focus on the purely human element of rebuilding lives and societies. This book provides perspective on just how to begin that process so that the trauma people suffered is not passed on to future generations long after the violence has stopped." - Amy T. Wilson, Ph.D., Gallaudet University, Washington, DC "This ground-breaking text provides the reader with an excellent and comprehensive overview of the existing field of trauma rehabilitation. It also masterfully navigates the intricate relationships among theory, research, and practice leaving the reader with immense appreciation for its subject matter." - Hanoch Livneh, Hanoch Livneh, Ph.D., LPC, CRC, Portland State University Fear, terror, helplessness, rage: for soldier and civilian alike, the psychological costs of war are staggering. And for those traumatized by chronic armed conflict, healing, recovery, and closure can seem like impossible goals. Demonstrating wide-ranging knowledge of the vulnerabilities and resilience of war survivors, the collaborators on Trauma Rehabilitation after War and Conflict analyze successful rehabilitative processes and intervention programs in conflict-affected areas of the world. Its dual focus on individual and community healing builds on the concept of the protective "trauma membrane," a component crucial to coping and healing, to humanitarian efforts (though one which is often passed over in favor of rebuilding infrastructure), and to promoting and sustaining peace. The book’s multiple perspectives—including public health, community-based systems, and trauma-focused approaches—reflect the complex psychological, social, and emotional stresses faced by survivors, to provide authoritative information on salient topics such as: Psychological rehabilitation of U.S. veterans, non-Western ex-combatants, and civilians Forgiveness and social reconciliation after armed conflict Psychosocial adjustment in the post-war setting Helping individuals heal from war-related rape The psychological impact on prisoners of war Rehabilitating the child soldier Rehabilitation after War and Conflict lucidly sets out the terms for the next stage of humanitarian work, making it essential reading for researchers and professionals in psychology, social work, rehabilitation, counseling, and public health.

Originally published by Viking Penguin, 2014.

This is a gripping story of two soldiers, Jett and Ace, coming home from war who dread facing the new battles of adjustment from the horrors of combat to their old life in the mountains of North Carolina. You follow these two life long friends through the trauma of their last long range patrol and through their struggles to rebuild their lives. Driven by their desperation to numb the darkness of unspeakable memories, they turn to sex and booze which leads to betrayal, hurt, confusion and problems with the law. Intensifying their heart ache and pain, those choices drive them further into despair and isolation from families, friends and the women in their lives. After a life threatening experience, they are forced to face the reality they are suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Through the urging of family and an increasing sense of desperation, they reluctantly agree to participate with eight other combat veterans in a PTSD treatment program led by a psychologist they call, "Doc." They share a sense of urgency to find some relief from suicidal thoughts, flashbacks, nightmares, panic attacks, isolation and depression. Two of the veterans face an additional crisis. A female veteran lost an arm and a male lost vision in one eye. Doc introduces them to a new form of "basic training" which is received with mixed reactions. In and outside the group, you walk with them through their hopelessness, rage, despair, and tears. They experience hope and possibility not only through what Doc teaches, but through the close bond that forms between these soldiers that share the experience of combat. They stand together to cry, laugh and relive their trauma to find hope for recovery from a source they never expected.

What is your emotional fingerprint? Why are some people so quick to recover from setbacks? Why are some so attuned to others that they seem psychic? Why are some people always up and others always down? In his thirty-year quest to answer these questions, pioneering neuroscientist Richard J. Davidson discovered that each of us has an Emotional Style, composed of Resilience, Outlook, Social Intuition, Self-Awareness, Sensitivity to Context, and Attention. Where we fall on these six continuums determines our own “emotional fingerprint.” Sharing Dr. Davidson’s fascinating case histories and experiments, The Emotional Life of Your Brain offers a new model for treating conditions like autism and depression as it empowers us all to better understand ourselves—and live more meaningful lives.

"The first book of its kind in the new science of posttraumatic growth: A cutting-edge look at how trauma survivors find healing and new resilience,"--Amazon.com.

As U.S. service members deploy for extended periods on a repeated basis, their ability to cope with the stress of deployment may be challenged. Many programs are available to encourage and support psychological resilience among service members and families. However, little is known about these programs' effectiveness. This report reviews resilience literature and programs to identify evidence-informed factors for promoting resilience.

Cutting-edge science and the ancient wisdom of Buddhism have come together to reveal that, contrary to popular belief, we have the power to literally change our brains by changing our minds. Recent pioneering experiments in neuroplasticity—the ability of the brain to change in response to experience—reveal that the brain is capable of altering its structure and function, and even of generating new neurons, a power we retain well into old age. The brain can adapt, heal, renew itself after trauma, compensate for disabilities, rewire itself to overcome dyslexia, and break cycles of depression and OCD. And as scientists are learning from studies performed on Buddhist monks, it is not only the outside world that can change the brain, so can the mind and, in particular, focused attention through the classic Buddhist practice of mindfulness. With her gift for making science accessible, meaningful, and compelling, science writer Sharon Begley illuminates a profound shift in our understanding of how the brain and the mind interact and takes us to the leading edge of a revolution in what it means to be human. Praise for Train Your Mind, Change Your Brain “There are two great things about this book. One is that it shows us how nothing about our brains is set in stone. The other is that it is written by Sharon Begley, one of the best science writers around. Begley is superb at framing the latest facts within the larger context of the field. This is a terrific book.”—Robert M. Sapolsky, author of Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers “Excellent . . . elegant and lucid prose . . . an open mind here will be rewarded.”—Discover “A strong dose of hope along with a strong does of science and Buddhist thought.”—The San Diego Union-Tribune

This book brings together multiple perspectives to examine the strengths and limitations of efforts to promote healing and peacebuilding after war, focusing on the aftermath of the traumatic armed conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This book begins with a simple premise: trauma that is not transformed is transferred. Drawing on multidisciplinary insights from academics, peace practitioners and trauma experts, this book examines the limitations of our current strategies for promoting healing and peacebuilding after war while offering inroads into best practices to prevent future violence through psychosocial trauma recovery and the healing of memories. The contributions create a conversation that allows readers to critically rethink the deeper roots and mechanisms of trauma created by the war. Collectively, the authors provide strategic recommendations to policymakers, peace practitioners, donors and international organizations engaged in work in Bosnia and Herzegovina – strategies that can be applied to other countries rebuilding after war. This volume will be of much interest to students of conflict resolution, peacebuilding, social psychology, Balkan politics and International Relations in general.