If you've been following The Warrior Nation: SITREP over the last few weeks, you know that we introduced the idea of incorporating the Principles of War as a means of dealing with PTSD. In doing this, my hope is to help you achieve a deeper level of thought about how you might go about choosing methods for your healing. By introducing a single Principle of War, in a series of posts over the next several weeks, I am giving you a new set of criteria that you can use to evaluate the possible courses of action that you choose for your healing journey.
I realize it may sound a bit counter productive to use war principles for healing an anxiety disorder, but allow me the opportunity over the next few weeks to expand this thought and see if this might apply to you or someone you know that might be working to rid their life of this disorder. If you continue to follow this series, you can save time with future posts by going directly to the bold text highlighting the week's highlighted Principle. This week we look at the principle of:
Offensive - Seize, retain, and exploit the initiative
The great Chinese warrior/philosopher Sun Tzu was once quoted as saying, "Invincibility lies in the defense; the possibility of victory in the attack." This goes the same for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Taking the Offensive on PTSD implies direct and personal action, as opposed to passive defense. You could think of any pharmaceutical approach that manages the signs and symptoms of anxiety, insomnia, hypervigilance, and mood swings as a defensive approach to this disorder. Although the medications used in managing these above mentioned maladies can provide you some relief from the underlying disorder, they are not going to serve as a long term solution. Please understand that I am not advocating the dismissal of any drug regime prescribed by a physician. My point is to clarify what healing requires, and that is direct action, by you, to move toward new Objectives that you must set for yourself.
As we discussed in last week's post, gaining the advantage over PTSD involves taking the initiative to address the source of
the REAL cause for your problems: your brain. Many people who undergo a traumatic event believe they can handle the problem themselves. Not to be the bearer of bad news, but if this works, it's less often because of what the person did than how our brains normally work. Conversely, if it fails, it's important to realize WHY it didn't work. And the simple fact is, it has nothing to do with how strong your will is or how competent you are.
What I'd like you to understand is that trauma physically rewires your brain! Your brain actually changes; in that certain parts get bigger and certain parts shrink. This process is known as neuroplasticity. The changes brought about by neuroplasticity effect your thoughts. Here's an analogy to make this a little more tangible.
Think of your thoughts as a river. Now imagine that area has a massive earthquake. The shift in the terrain reroutes the river! That's what happens with PTSD! Due to the effects of continuous "adrenaline poisoning" or the damage caused to the brain by I.E.D.s, your brain undergoes a physical, as well as a chemical and electrical change. There is even new evidence that would suggest that not only are our brains physically changed by the concussion of I.E.D.s, but electrical fields are generated in our skulls from the shock waves.
Good News and Bad News
The bad news is, in order to overcome these changes, you have to create even more changes to your brain...but that's also the good news. These changes are called neural pathways. Creating new neural pathways is a 3 step process (or offensive operation).
First, you must realize it is possible.
Second, you must develop a "plan of attack."
Third, you must relentlessly execute this plan in a daily, systematic and focused manner.
You may already have a "discharge plan" given to you from a hospital. If so, I urge you to follow it. Additionally, you can accomplish these changes through physical therapy, cognitive therapy, and occupational therapy. Try yoga, meditation, accupuncture, tai chi or other martial art. Completely revamp your nutritional habits and consult a dietician or nutritional specialist. One of my favorites is Delicious Food Daily run by Clarissa Kussin.
You might even involve a counsellor or coach to establish some new goals for yourself in the areas of education or skill training. Some of these things may seem strange or wierd to you, but I would remind you that we only begin to learn when we become uncomfortable. By undertaking new activities, energy starts flowing throughout the brain in different directions to different parts of the brain, thus contributing to new neural pathways and new ways of thinking and perceiving. The more we purposefully think in a different manner, the easier it becomes, and eventually that becomes the brain's new way of automatically thinking. With this understanding it becomes quite apparent why Buddha said "What we think, we become".
Take Away
Healing is an active process. You cannot wait for it to just come to you. You must move toward healing. As a Master Subconscious Restructuring® Life Coach, I work to help my clients develop new neural pathways. Moving toward the Objectives of Love, Health, Wealth, and a positive Self-Image are the cornerstones of this methodology. I urge all my warriors to stay on the Offensive against this unseen enemy. In the offense you will find victory!
Next week, I will post the final installment of Waging War on PTSD using the Principles of Unity of Command...until then,
Warrior, out!