Veterans Continue to Chase Demons
One of the biggest issues I see with my clients are their struggles with demons from their past. Every veteran handles their Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) differently, including their war demons. Many veterans continue to chase their demons in their nightmare well in to their 70’s and 80’s, and some never catch them. The demons they chase have caused unhealthy relationships, poor sleep, and an unhealthy lifestyle for most of them. Their demons have caused substance abuse, divorces, negative effects on their children, and a loss of control in their lives. So many veterans have hung on to and suppressed those demons for over 50 years.
I have multiple Vietnam Veterans on my caseload who struggle with their nightmares. It is interesting how they have allowed their demons to remain in their life for so long. The stigma for getting help was stronger than their will to address their demons. The stigma of seeking mental health has kept a multitude of Vietnam Veterans from getting help. It appears that some Vietnam veterans have finally seen the light and decided to do something about the demons they have been chasing in their dreams. For those who seek help the demons can go away, they can finally get the good night's sleep that they have been longing for over 50 years. Some Vietnam Veterans were able to suppress their demons until they retired. They were too busy working to ensure the success of their families. It was not until they retired that the terrors came back because they had lost their purpose and had time to think about the past.
I am hoping that what happened to the Vietnam Veterans will not continue for the new veterans. The recent wars, Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) has brought on a new idea surrounding mental health help. The newest generation of veteran appear to be getting the help that they need to suppress their demons before they take over their lives. There are still a lot of veterans out there who struggle with getting help so they can live their life.
It even seems like some veterans like their demons. They don't know how to live without them. I hope the demons of the newer generation will be less intrusive than those of their predecessors because they make a different choice, the choice to get help. With the newer veterans it appears to be OK to get the help need. While on Active Duty the stigma is still attached to mental health issues and seeking help for PTSD is still seen as weak. The stigma is often carried into their civilian attitude once they get out of the military, but that appears to be changing. If their issues are not dealt with, they can cause a host of issues for the rest of their lives, Vietnam veterans have proven that.
It is my hope that all veterans will quit chasing their demons. Seeking help for your demons is a choice. If you choose not to get help, then the onus is on you. My question is why are you choosing to live your life with these demons when you can learn to control them? There is nothing wrong with confronting or embracing your demons to control them instead of them controlling you. I find it hard to believe that seeing a therapist is scarier than living with your demons. Why live your life letting your demons control you? Getting help is a choice. You must choose to combat your demons like you fought your enemies. The choice to have a better life is yours.
For questions or comments, you can contact me at afterdutyvets@gmail.com or visit my website at www.afterdutyvets.com, and subscribe to my YouTube channel After Duty Vets or like us on Facebook at After Duty Vets.