This book was first conceived during the author’s senior year of graduate school as part of a Capstone project. The veterans and staff at the Veterans' Center in Bangor, Maine generously offered their insights as student psychiatric nurse practitioners worked clinical rotations there. The original booklet, with 500 copies printed, was so well received that the Military Order of the Purple Heart Service Foundation (MOPHSF) stepped up to republish updated and expanded versions for nationwide distribution. Many years and hundreds of thousands of copies later, we are making “The Guide” as The Veteran’s and Families Guide to Recovery from PTSD has come to be known, available via the Internet. It is our sincere hope that this reedited booklet will again bring healing.

This booklet will teach the symptoms of post trauma and how to recognize them. It will begin to strengthen you to speak to your children and others about your experiences. It is hoped that through understanding you and yours may begin to regain a sense of control. There are writing samples generously shared from the hearts of veterans and families who may have walked in your shoes, as well as resources that will be helpful in your healing process.
Post trauma symptoms may be expressed as an emotional response resulting from having experienced trauma. The experience of one or more of the symptoms described within these pages may lead to uncovering a diagnosis of PTSD or another related diagnosis. There is help; you are not alone. You will find information and resources that will support you and can lead to comfort, healing, and maybe even help you reconnect with old friends. You deserve peace of mind and healing. This book was created for you.

There is information about Secondary Traumatic Stress; although not yet recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders when the first edition was published, there are many spouses, children, peers, and significant others who may recognize having experienced these symptoms. In recognition you may be one step closer to seeking support which may lead to healing. Some Veteran Center groups recite the phrase by D. Nelson, “We can do together what I cannot do alone.”

 

One of the goals of this book project is to guide veterans, their families and the community toward the support that is available within the veteran community and beyond. One avenue of support are the Veteran Centers located all across the United States staffed with trained professionals who are available for the assessment process and to then guide you to recovery. The Veteran Center's mission statement includes the words “to serve veterans and their families by providing a continuum of quality care that adds value for veterans, families, and communities … providing a key access link between the veteran and other services in the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.” They will answer your questions. Vet Centers offer individual and group psychotherapy opportunities; or you can share a cup of coffee and friendly, lively conversation. This book and site will work to offer more insight about trauma diagnoses and recovery, ways to move forward and how you can make the supported choice to move forward toward your New Normal.

Welcome to a booklet born of love of country, faith in God, belief that veterans and their families can teach one another with their gifts of writing, and that there is always the possibility of healing … always.