July 14, 2010
Over the past 8 weeks, I have given you several new ways to look at healing your PTSD. In taking this approach, I have received some questions from friends asking about the use of war principles to heal an anxiety disorder. Well, if you had these same questions, I trust you went the extra step to read the posts so you could see that these Principles provide you a framework and philosophy for approaching this demon that hides inside you and many of our war-torn brothers and sisters. If you did read along, then I want to thank you for your time. I would even like to thank you for passing this blog along to others that may be wrestling with this disorder or sharing my blog with someone that you suspect may be suffering in silence.
For the most part, I have attempted to demonstrate how these principles can serve to guide you, motivate you, and even provide you with an outline for action steps of your own. We covered concepts of knowing your triggers, maintaining advantages, and incorporating several modalities to bring maximum opportunities to your healing process. With that said, there is still one more principle left to cover and I intentionally saved this one for last; because I believe it is the most important. If you're ready to push on, then let us begin our critical review of Unity of Command and why it is so necessary.
Unity of Command - For every objective, ensure unity of effort under one responsible commander
If you are currently undergoing some treatment for PTSD, you have a lot of things going on. You've probably seen a primary care physician, who referred you to a psychiatrist who prescribes you medication. Additionally, you are possibly working with a counsellor or social worker with some form of talk therapy. You might have found a Life Coach to work with. You may also be involved in a group therapy setting, because it seems to make you feel less alone. If you are also healing from other physical wounds, you may have a neurologist on your team, an orthopedic surgeon may be in your camp, and you might even be working with a physical therapist to regain a better range of motion in your legs or arms. As you can see, when we begin to count every asset and professional involved with your healing process, the list starts to look pretty long. So with all those people helping, guiding, and nurturing you have you ever wondered...who's in charge here? Here's the answer: It better be YOU!
I'm in Charge here
Take a look at this principle, word by word, and you can begin to see the weight this principle has in your healing, that's right, I said YOUR healing:
is defined as the "state of being undivided or unbroken completeness or totality with nothing wanting. It is the smallest whole numeral representation. It has the quality of being united into one. Unity can denote a combining of all the parts, elements and individuals into an effective whole. It is applicable to people and objects forming whole notions of any concept. It implies oneness when there is a certain usual division." So for all the resources, all the medications, all the notes made, and all the tears shed in this undertaking, all things combine to serve a single intention; and that is to make YOU the best that you can be. Notice I didn't say the same, I didn't say better than, or good as new. At 50 years of age, let me share something with you...we are constantly changing and there will come a place in all of our lives when we "can't do the things we used to do." Sooner or later, there will come a time when you will need help at something or you can't do it like you used to; and with PTSD this is one of those times. As you can see, these are many things coming together to make you whole. You are the Unit!
OF
is a preposition that suggests ownership, direction, and process. So, in just the first 2 words this principle suggests that becoming and accepting your best self requires commitment and responsibility. So who is responsible for this healing?
COMMAND
This is a military inspired blog, right? Is there any question on what this word implies? Doesn't it suggest leadership, "where the buck stops", and who accepts responsibility for all a unit does or does not do? I guess this word also suggests who has the final say, and who sets the pace, and who really is going to make it happen, right? So in dealing with PTSD, You are ultimately responsible for healing yourself. You are the commander and your mission is to become the best you can be. So as a Commander, let's review your healing Operation:
Are you:
- Using several complimentary (Mass) approaches to your healing?
- Creating an environment (Surprise) of your choosing?
- Setting goals (Objective) that are Definable, Attainable, and Decisive?
- Prioritizing your life to focus (Simplicity) on the most important issues?
- Working daily to strengthen (Maneuver) the parts of the brain that give you greater control over adrenaline?
- Committing minimal effort (Economy of Force) and time to the things that are beyond your control?
- Recording your daily moods and thoughts in order to develop early warning (Security) for your triggers?
- Actively moving toward (Offensive) your healing, rather than waiting for it to come to you?
- Accepting the responsibility (Unity of Command) that healing is ultimately up to you?
If not, why not?
Take Away
If you have questions about how we might work together, know that all my initial talks are complimentary and confidential. You can contact me through my website located at www.warriorlifecoach.com or you can find me on Facebook at Warrior Life Coach or follow me on Twitter as warriorlfecoach. Everyday I work with our returning warriors, we are using these concepts and principles...and we are getting results. I urge you to learn more about this demon we call PTSD and develop your action plan to begin moving toward your Objectives.
All the best and until next time...
Warrior, out!
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