Healing Combat Trauma

When PTSD Sufferers Can't Sleep, Award-Winning "Pacific Light" DVD Brings Some Healing Peace

Hyperarousal or heightened anxiety.  Flashbacks, nightmares, intrusive memories.  Intense physiological stress symptoms: pounding heart, rapid breathing, nausea, muscle tension, sweating. Difficulty falling or staying asleep.  Irritability or outbursts of anger. Difficulty concentrating. Hypervigilance, or being constantly “on guard.” An exaggerated startle response, or jumpiness. Inability to relax. All these symptoms are very familiar to PTSD sufferers and their families.

Pacific Light, Wind and Waves Healing Music DVD for Stressed and Anxious Patients.

Into this mix comes the award-winning "Pacific Light" DVD, and the elusive promise of an interlude of healing peace, that might even involve a good night's sleep.

Time, Inc. awarded Pacific Light its first place award for health and medical media.  Alternative Medicine mgazine calls Pacific Light "a breathtakingly beautiful video."  And over 400 hospitals use "Pacific Light" to help provide an atmosphere of healing peace for distressed patients and their families.  Walter Reed, the Mayo Clinic, the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps at Twentynine Palms, plus hundreds of other institutions are becoming fans of this DVD, a combination of stunning cinematography of some of the West Coast's most beautiful locales, filmed at sunrise and sunset, with no cheesy voiceover instructing patients to relax -- instead, the Grammy-nominated, award-winning soundtrack of R. Carlos Nakai's cedar flute music, as arranged by Billy Williams.

Pacific Light is the second DVD in a series by Thomas Day Oates, Jr., an amazing person and personal friend, whose own bouts with serious illness changed his career path into cinematography.  Oates has a very strong conviction about the importance of distressed patients and their families being able to create a space for "healing peace" - he believes the words are almost synonymous -- and that without a sense of peace, people can't begin to heal.

Apparently, a number of hospitals, hospices, and patients agree -- the testimonials are pretty impressive; and even without them, watching a clip of the gorgeous scenery and its peace-inducing soundtrack make the point instantly accessible.  For hospitals and institutions, click here. For individuals and families, click here. Website linked here.  Ordering info: 1-877-835-0838. Special pricing for veterans and their families: $19.98, including shipping and handling (within the U.S./APO/FPO). Call to inquire.

Editor's Note: You know who/where else needs this DVD?  Balad Military Hospital in Iraq. Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. The Combat Stress Control Unit. Mologne House Hotel in DC. Military chaplains in Iraq, Afghanistan, and stateside.  PTSD residential programs at the VA. VA Medical Centers.  Wounded warrior units.  Wounded troops, wherever they are recovering, at home and abroad.  The possibilities are practically endless.  And not just for the troops themselves: for their caregivers as well, who often are also suffering from vicarious trauma.

Actor and Vietnam Vet Produces Film about PTSD

Military.com has an item today about a new movie, Soldier's Heart, by actor and Vietnam veteran, Brian Delate.   In Military.com's blurb about their interview with Delate they say, "Vietnam veteran and accomplished actor Brian Delate has released his vision of the challenges facing warriors upon their return in his movie "Soldier's Heart."  At a time where a handful of films are being released about the wars and the challenges faced by soldiers, from thoughtful documentaries, to bigger-budget Hollywood treatments for a mass audience, a movie like Delate's -- ostensibly, from someone who knows -- should be a welcome addition.  PTSD is a timely topic, and who better to tell the story than a veteran who's struggled with it himself, as Delate says that he has.  Sounds very promising, and relatable - and likely to make a difference.

The promotional material about the movie -- which looks like it could have used some help in the copywriting department -- is as follows:

"PTSD - sometimes you don't know you have it until your life falls apart.  Elliot (James Kiberd), a Vietnam vet with PTSD has held it together until participation in a documentary about the Vietnam War causes unacknowledged feelings about his experience as a soldier to surface, threatening his marriage to Linda (Cady McClain), alienating his best friend, Richie (Brian Delate) and damaging his career.  In this journey of the heart, PTSD forces Elliot to re-design his blueprint for living with courage and some humor as the truth of his war experience emerges, allowing him to gain a deeper understanding of himself as a veteran, his father as a World War II vet, Richie as a Vietnam vet, and to forge a stronger bond with Linda."

"Finally, a unique film about veterans as told by a veteran -- Soldier's Heart is about Vietnam vet Elliot's waking up to the present and his journey to a deeper self-acceptance -- with regard to the long term effects (PTSD) from the war and his relationships to his family, wife and friends.  Writer/Director and Vietnam veteran Brian Delate is also a veteran actor of film, stage and television.  If you are a veteran -- from any war or you know a veteran, this is a must-see movie."

A link to the film is here. A link to the podcast on Military.com, where writer/director (and actor) Brian Delate talks about his own war experiences, including how he dealt with his PTSD, is here.

Editor's note: Though similarly titled, this film is not the same as the PBS show on Frontline, called "The Soldier's Heart," which we blogged about earlier, here.

Showing Our Gratitude - How to Thank a Veteran

Ever wanted to thank an active duty military or veteran you see out and about, while you're running your errands, but not known how?  Want to avoid a potentially awkward moment with a total stranger, but still convey your appreciation?  (Thank the ones you know, in person -- please.)  Here's a wonderful little film about how you can.  One simple gesture that sums it up, in a gracious, heartfelt way.  Let's hope THIS becomes a trend that sweeps the nation...

As the flm clip memorably says: "It's not about politics.  It's about service.  And sacrifice.  And gratitude."

Way freakin' cool...

Watch the short film here.  Watch the slightly longer, full-length film here.  Learn about more about the Gratitude Campaign here.  BTW -- this is the short version, from YouTube, below:

Film on PTSD from "Saigon to Baghdad"

The Nevada News, a publication of the University of Nevada at Reno,  had an article this week entitled, "The Battle Continues: Life after War," about the screening of a social work graduate student's documentary film about veterans and PTSD, called "Saigon 1965 to Baghdad 2007.P  The film by Michial Nolan examines Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in veterans from previous wars (i.e., Vietnam) in the context of delayed activation or reactivation of PTSD as a result of the current war in Iraq.

Says the article:

Nolan’s film depicts service personnel experiences in Vietnam, the Gulf War, Afghanistan and Iraq. Two veterans will attend the screening to talk about their experiences. One gentleman will talk about his journey to self-discovery over the last 40 years.

“In conducting the research to produce my film, I found that many veterans from wars other than the war in Iraq were experiencing a reactivation of PTSD based off of images they saw via media,” Nolan said. “In 1999 there were 90,000 cases of PTSD reported. By 2004 that number had increased to 161,000. The projected cost of treating this condition over the last 40 years is between $350 and $700 billion.”

Based on a suggestion from University of Wisconsin professor Craig Werner, Nolan included music in his film to assess PTSD reactivation in Vietnam veterans based on popular music listened to during that time. Some of the songs included are “Another Saturday Night,” by Sam Cook, “Lodi,” by Credence Clearwater Revival, “A Little Help From My Friends,” by Joe Cocker as well as “Chain of Fools,” by Aretha Franklin.

“I want veterans to know that I appreciate their service and have a commitment to understanding the impact war takes on them,” Nolan said. “The film came together so well; I can’t watch it without being moved.”

PBS Show on Veterans & PTSD Tonight

PBS will air a show called "Veterans of PTSD" tonight, on "Now," with David Brancaccio -- familiar to many listeners of "Marketplace."  Streaming video will be available after the show airs.  Click for a link here.  You can also learn more about Matthew Zacchea, featured in the program, in this earlier article on PTSD and veterans, from US News & World Report last year.

About the show:

Bouts of fierce anger, depression, and anxiety that previous generations of soldiers described as "shell shock" or "combat/battle fatigue" now earn a clinical diagnosis: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. But the relatively new medical label doesn't guarantee soldiers will get the care they need. NOW looks at how America's newest crop of returning soldiers is coping with the emotional scars of war, and some new and innovative treatments for them.

In the show, we spent time with Iraq War veteran Michael Zacchea, a Marine lieutenant colonel who trained Iraqi troops and led them in the battle of Fallujah. Haunted by the violence he saw there, Zacchea and other soldiers diagnosed with PTSD now face what could be a lifelong struggle to leave the horrors of war behind and reclaim their once-peaceful lives.

In a side note: do you notice how much of the decent reportage on PTSD and combat trauma -- indeed, on veterans issues in general -- is coming from listener-supported public radio and television?  While bloggers and others complain about what the mainstream media does and doesn't cover, I hope someone is paying attention to this trend -- the good information is still out there, it's just a question of where you look.

Speaking of which, she said somewhat peevishly, we've been blogging about this topic for almost two years now -- well ahead of the current "surge" in popular interest.  That said, there can't be enough interest given to this topic, to help heal those who are struggling with it/suffering from it.  Though frankly this topic should have been on our minds since Vietnam -- or maybe the Civil War, where it also was an issue.  And undoubtedly since combat began.

"Alive Day Memories" on DVD in October

"Alive Day Memories: Home from Iraq" -- the sure-to-be-spectacular HBO documentary, scheduled to show this Sunday evening at 10:30 p.m. -- is also scheduled to be released on DVD on October 23, 2007, according to Netflix.  Click this link to learn more about the documentary, and to read the stories of some of the individuals interviewed by James Gandolfini for the film.  Watch the entire ALIVE DAY MEMORIES special on HBO.com beginning Sunday, September 9 at 11:30pm, immediately following the premiere.  Read the interview with executive producer James Gandolfini here.

"Alive Day Memories: Home from Iraq" on HBO

HBO will air a documentary called "Alive Day Memories: Home from Iraq" next Sunday, at 10:30 p.m.  Check their schedule for more details.  This was the description on HBO's website:

A new generation of veterans is returning from Iraq. For these survivors, two days will forever memorialize their lives: their birthday and their Alive Day--the day they narrowly escaped death. This HBO Documentary Films production presents the first-person stories of ten Alive Day heroes as told to Emmy®-winning actor James Gandolfini. From a conflict that has left more than 25,000 Americans wounded, the film explores the physical and emotional cost of war through the simple, heartbreaking words of ten young soldiers who survived near-fatal wounds while serving in Iraq. The stories are augmented by harrowing footage from the war-torn streets of Iraq.

Today's San Jose Mercury-News (San Jose, CA) has an article about one of the soldiers profiled in the documentary, and his struggles after injury (though not particularly PTSD/combat trauma).

New Film on Troops' Trauma Back from Iraq

An article in Reuters today talks about "Crash" director Paul Haggis' new film, now screening at the Venice film festival, "In the Valley of Elah."  The film, which stars Tommy Lee Jones, apparently powerfully makes the point that scars of trauma do not magically disappear when soldiers return from war. 

"In the Valley of Elah” tells the story of a war veteran (Tommy Lee Jones), his wife (Susan Sarandon) and the search for their son, a soldier who recently returned from Iraq but has mysteriously gone missing, and the police detective (Charlize Theron) who helps in the investigation.

Two excellent quotes from the Reuters article follow.  When the director was asked about the efforts of those deployed, he said he believed "U.S. troops in Iraq were doing a "serious and important" job, but added: "I'd like to see them come home, to be looked after, be nurtured, and nothing would give me more joy than to see them here back in America."  And as to what role a film like this -- Haggis' last film, Crash, won the Oscar -- might play in advancing public consciousness, he said, "During the Vietnam war, we had terrific journalists doing their job, reporting on things that we didn't want to hear ... Now we don't have that."  "I think that when that doesn't happen," he continued, "then it's the responsibility of the artist to ask those difficult questions."  Either way, at least they're getting asked.

Here's a link to the trailer of the movie.

Documentaries Now Available on DVD

Two fantastic documentaries about combat trauma and returning veterans are now available for purchase:

The excellent and recent New England Cable News documentary, "Hidden Wounds," is available for purchase by sending $20 to Doreen Vigue, Director of Communications, New England Cable News, 160 Wells Avenue, Newton, MA  02459-3302.  NECN plans to show this documentary again on Memorial Day, 2006.  You can learn more about local, New England-area showings of this timely documentary by clicking on this link.

The PBS/Frontline documentary, "The Soldier's Heart," is available for purchase at www.ShopPBS.org online, or by clicking this link for DVD, or this link for VHS.  Amazingly, if you've got the time and the high-speed Internet connection to make it worth your while, you can also watch the entire program online, by clicking this link.

(Both are very much worth your while.)

"Hidden Wounds" Documentary on Local TV

If you're in the New England area this weekend, be sure to watch "Hidden Wounds," an award-winning documentary on the effects of combat trauma, to be aired multiple times on New England Cable News (NECN.com).  See schedule here.

According to the promotional material about the show,

"Hidden Wounds'' is a powerful documentary about veterans returning from Iraq with post-traumatic stress disorder. The film profiles three local men and their struggles with overcoming the affliction, which affects 1 in 6 returning veterans.

The one hour film -- shown without commercial interrruption-- tells the story of Nate Fick, a graduate of Dartmouth College who believes privileged men like himself should be represented in the military. He was a platoon commander in “Recon,’’ the elite unit of the Marines. He fought in Afghanistan, then Iraq, returning from war in June of 2003. Fick descended into depression for close to a year. To cope, he began writing. His resulting book, “One Bullet Away’’ has been met with wide acclaim. He is currently pursuing graduate degrees at Harvard’s Kennedy school and business school.

“Hidden Wounds’’ also delves into the life of Sgt. Russell Anderson of Norton, MA who joined the Army in 1969, right out of high school. He served four years monitoring worldwide communications. He returned to civilian life, but kept re-signing with the reserves. Sgt. Anderson volunteered to go to Iraq in 2004 because he wanted to continue to serve his country. He returned in February 2005 hostile and depressed, but he was too proud to seek counseling. He finally agreed to treatment when he “bottomed out,’’ but he continues to cope with the affects of PTSD.

And, it spotlights Jeff Lucey of Belchertown, MA who joined the Marine Reserves as a high school senior in 1999. He spent a year as a truck driver in Iraq, returning home in 2003. He drank heavily and became increasingly despondent. His parents tried to get the Veterans Administration to commit him and treat him for post-traumatic stress disorder, (PTSD) but the VA refused to do so until Jeff Lucey stopped drinking. He committed suicide at age 23. His parents are now activists trying to ensure adequate government funding for PTSD treatment.

It was written and produced by NECN’s Executive Editor Iris Adler, edited by Beth Kidwell, and primarily shot by chief photographer John Stuart and videographer Ryan Scafuro. Graphic design was done by Angela Bertalotto.  (It sounds like it's narrated by Natalie Jacobsen, but perhaps this is in error.)

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NECN does a great job identifying in their blurb about the documentary where New England veterans can go for help with PTSD symptoms.  See the link to the site for details, because there are too many to list here.

It's not clear yet whether those outside the viewing area (New England) will be able to purchase this show on DVD.  If the answer turns out to be yes, we'll post details here shortly.