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How to Use Military Strategy for Book Promotion…

November 28, 2016December 14, 2016 Michael Anthony

Having a sustainable career as a writer is challenging. You cannot be a successful author if you don’t have any readers. There are many ways to reach your audience even without a publicist and this can only happen by implementing a good strategy.

Did you know that you can also use the art of warfare in business situations like book promotion? The goal of military strategy is to win over the opponent and conquer territory. Similarly, your goal is to gain a share in the market amidst all the competition.

These are the four basic marketing military strategies:

Defensive – This strategy is important for the current market leader by addressing how it will continuously satisfy consumers and prevent them from going over other competitors.

Offensive – Strategies used by challengers to shake the market leader’s hold.

Flanking – Methods that focus on entering a territory that hasn’t been touched by the market leader. For example, offering alternative products and services or catering only to a specific group within the market.

Guerilla – The primary objective of this strategy is to create a buzz by challenging the status quo. This mainly involves unconventional marketing schemes to catch people’s attention and get them talking.

What strategy suits you? Here’s a simple guide:

Identify your market – What kind of book will you be publishing? Is it fiction or non-fiction? What genre are you writing? Who are your intended readers? By answering these questions, you can pinpoint your market and address their demand.

Know your position in that market – After targeting a market, study the key players who have found relative success in it. These are the publishers or authors whom you are competing with. Read and study their material and find out why they have so much following. Most probably, there are already leaders and challengers within that market. Know your strengths and weaknesses against them.

Choose what you will offer – Why should consumers choose you over other authors? Do your materials offer the same experience but sold at cheaper prices? Are your narratives totally distinct from other published books? Is the message that you’re bringing relevant to your target audience? Basically, there should be something about your book that will convince people to buy it.

Set specific success indicators – How many sales are you targeting? Are positive reviews enough to make you say that your book is successful? Does your book need to be a bestseller? Having measurable goals is a good motivation and helps you identify what you need to improve on.

If you’re thinking of self-publishing a book, the guerilla strategy may come in handy. In this military strategy, creativity will be your biggest capital.

There are three main objectives when using the guerilla strategy. Below are some tips on how to achieve each one of them.

To establish the brand by word-of-mouth and cause a stir in the market

Early on, find potential readers by talking about your plans for writing a book. These could be resource persons, fellow writers, friends and family.

Build strong connections with your potential readers. While writing your book, you will come across people who are interested on how it pans out. Keep them in the loop of your progress and build up their anticipation.

Be active in social media. Institute your presence by writing blogs, being active in web forums and posting contents that are relevant to your writing process.

Allow your manuscript to be reviewed by peers or in a workshop. It will give you an idea on how the book will be received. People who have also read it in advance may like it so much that they will begin talking about it.

To exceed consumer expectations, preserve patronage and make a good name

Be the best person to promote your book. Some creative people are afraid to be labelled as sell-outs, but pitching for what you believe people should read is not necessarily degrading.

Make a website for your book. It should have the effect of keeping people excited about your work. The contents could be excerpts, blogs, reviews and promotional videos.

Give incentives to people who promote your book like freebies, discounts and added benefits. If you’re publishing an eBook, you can also allow people to read the first few chapters for free.

To remain in contact with the market and maintain relevance

Keep a strong presence in the literary scene by not just focusing on writing books. You can also produce other works like essays, reviews, articles and short stories. These could be interim outputs while working on another book.

Post videos online telling your readers how you developed your book, the backstory behind the characters, or what you’re planning to do next. Keep them on their toes for more.

Go to writers’ workshops and conferences and improve your craft.

Relate to your readers. Read their comments and suggestions. Reply to some of their messages. Make them feel that their ideas are important to you.

Thinking outside the box is not just useful in writing, but also in marketing. It’s important to capitalize on your strengths to promote your book successfully.

The Sales Pitch

Here’s my newest book in which I’ve used these techniques to help promote. It’s a memoir about my return home from Iraq.

“An intense memoir.” -Kirkus

“I wont soon forget this book.” -Mary Roach

“A must read.” -Colby Buzzell

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Thought For the Day – Chuck Palahniuk (PTSD and scars)

November 18, 2016February 21, 2016 Michael Anthony

This quote summarizes any veteran with PTSD. It’s easier to remember your friend who died in a mortar attack–the smell of their blood, the feeling of them in your arms, their look on their faces, the sound of their dying breaths–than it is for a person to remember their high school sweetheart, or a good time camping with friends.

This is one of the reasons I think veterans suffer from PTSD. Because it’s easier to remember the bad. There are no scars for happiness, but there are scars from mortar attacks and firefights–physically and mentally.

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Veteran’s Day: Are you the type of person that’s worth dying for?

November 11, 2016February 23, 2016 Michael Anthony

Here’s the thing about Veteran’s Day … and what has me so bitter today…

There’s an implicit agreement between veterans and civilians: As Veterans our job is to fight and die for our country and countrymen; as civilians, your job to make sure that our country is worth fighting and dying for. And honestly, as of late, when I read the news and listen to the stories that are going on, I begin to feel as though you civilians aren’t holding up your end of the deal.

And now, here we are on Veteran’s Day…

Veteran’s day is a day to thank veteran’s for their sacrifices—both current, and veterans throughout the ages. It’s a day to thank those brave men and women who were willing to fight and die for the sake of their country, and their countrymen. From those first Americans fighting to free us from British oppression, to freeing the slaves, to liberating the concentration camp, to modern day soldiers…

But here’s the thing, this veteran’s day (and for the rest of this year, really) instead of wasting our time and money buying “Support our Troops,” bumper stickers, and shaking hands with veterans, or Facebooking a message to a friend-of-a-friend who served overseas; instead, I have a different idea…

Instead of thanking a soldier for being willing to fight and die on our behalf; instead of taking a moment of silence for all those who have given their life in the line of duty; how about we take that same amount of time and instead focus on being the type of people, and the type of country, that’s actually worth dying for.

Those brave men and women who sign that dotted line are the bravest, and toughest, that our country has to offer—this means that, as always, it’s the toughest who protect the weakest. And that’s fine, we all have our parts to play, not everyone’s made to be a solider and a warrior.

But we need to keep in mind that when those men and women go overseas to fight and die, they’re doing it for US! And those who’ve never fought need to stop and ask themselves, “Am I worth it?” “Am I worth dying for?” And is our “Country worth dying for?” And if the answer is “No.” Then it’s up to us to walk down to that recruiting station and sign ourselves up, or it’s up to else to make sure our country is the type of place that’s still worth dying for. Because I’ll tell you, I’m tired of seeing that my brothers in arms are fighting for people who care more about the Kardashians than the battle of Kandahar, people who care more about the latest iPhone than the struggles that veterans faces after the war, people who’ve sent our economy into a recession, people who’ve shut the government down, and people who refuse to step up and actually make a different.

I don’t think it’s been done deliberately, but I do believe that you guys need to be reminded about the deal: we’ve held up our end, now it’s time for you guys to step up and hold up yours.

ptsd, Self Improvement / Healthy Living, Uncategorized

Alternative Therapies for Veterans with PTSD

November 1, 2016January 31, 2017 Michael Anthony

There are more than fifty thousand veterans in the United States today. A significant portion of which have experienced, in one way or another, a sort of unforgettable and traumatic event during their tour of duty. When these incidents create frequent and negative emotional personal responses, coupled with physical injury and other physical or psychological illnesses, a person is most likely experiencing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder can occur to anyone who has experienced a life-threatening event like military combat, terrorist attacks, child abuse, serious automobile accidents, sexual assault, rape, hurricanes, earthquakes, or kidnapping. In veterans, PTSD usually stems from events during combat or military duty. Symptoms of PTSD may surface right away while there are cases where symptoms only manifest after years.

Symptoms of PTSD in Veterans

Once soldiers and military personnel have retired or ended their service tours and they try to live a normal civilian life, PTSD symptoms can surface. Why this occurs is not known. But the symptoms and its emergence may vary depending on how the trauma’s impact to the veteran, how much control the veteran felt for the event, how close he/she was to the event and to the persons affected.

PTSD is usually diagnosed when the symptoms last for more than four weeks and the symptoms have remarkably affected the veteran’s life and work.

The four types of PTSD symptoms are: 1) Re-experiencing the event, 2) Avoiding memory triggers, 3) Hyper-arousal, and 4) Feeling guilt and numb.

How Is PTSD Treated?

The primary mode of treatment for PTSD is a combination of medications and counseling. The latter can be any form of any of the following evidence-based psychotherapies: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Prolonged Exposure (PE) therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). These techniques are even endorsed by the United States Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs.

The first line of pharmacologic treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder typically involves the use of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors or SSRIs like Sertraline (Zoloft), Fluoxetine (Prozac) and Paroxetine (Paxil). The neurotransmitter serotonin is essential in how our body’s moods are regulated. SSRIs functions in a way that serotonins cannot be absorbed by our brain cells and therefore manages the anxiety and negative moods experienced by patients with PTSD. Current scientific evidence base strongly support these drugs. However, there can be exceptions for their prescription if the patient is experiencing other conditions like bipolar disorder.

In some cases, veterans seek other forms of treatment in conjunction to their current treatment regimens. Psychiatrists also recommend veterans to participate in complementary and alternative forms of treatment for PTSD.

Alternative Therapies for PTSD

Acupuncture

Acupuncture involves the insertion of very thin needles into the skin layers of meridian points in the body. This process aims to restore balance and energy flow, giving the person a profound sense of calm. Veterans with PTSD who seek this form of treatment often report a decrease in nightmares and when it is coupled with psychotherapy, the results can be remarkable. In Oriental medicine, acupuncture is also used to treat other bodily illnesses, anxiety and stress disorders. Most Veterans Affairs offices in the country offer it as one the different alternative therapies available for veterans.

You can check this link if your local Veterans Affairs office has a resident acupuncturist in their roster: http://www2.va.gov/directory/guide/ptsd_flsh.asp

Biofeedback

Biofeedback is a form of a physiological control technique. With the use of an electronic instrument attached to the patient, the patient can alter his/her reactions when the instrument indicates abnormal internal responses. In veterans with PTSD, biofeedback can be applied to control symptoms like sudden anger, being jittery, or having flashbacks.

Relaxation Techniques

Hyperarousal is the state of always being jittery and excessively vigilant for signs of danger. This is a common symptom among veterans with PTSD and can lead to sleeping disorders, panic attacks, and anger issues. When veterans’ exhibit these symptoms are observed, therapists often teach and recommend doing relaxation techniques.

A simple relaxation exercise can involve alternate clenching one’s right fist, releasing it, and doing the same step with his/her left fist. Progressive muscle relaxation can be done in as little as five to ten minutes or whenever patients feel like they are feeling particularly jumpy.

Yoga

Veterans with PTSD often exhibit issues with their body’s fight-or-flight reactions, often making them feel stressed out. By doing yoga, their bodies are retrained to adapt to these traumatic memories by facing them down and incorporating deep breathing techniques and calming posture instead of the usual flighty reactions. Several studies done by the United States Department of Defense also supports the long-held belief that yoga helps improve the health conditions of PTSD-diagnosed veterans.

Most yoga classes can be done in a group setting or you can ask for a one on one session with an instructor. As little as two months of weekly classes can do wonders for your body and state of mind.

Equine Therapy

A recent alternative form of therapy for veterans with PTSD is the use of horses. Veterans undergoing equine therapy are made to care for a horse. Horses are animals that, when taught and trained properly, are receptive to social cues.

A horse’s ability to bond to a human trainer and sense their moods is helpful when dealing with anyone with PTSD. Veterans in equine therapy are found to have decreased stress levels. They are also found to be more compliant with this alternative form of treatment perhaps because horse-riding can be an enjoyable sport.

Equine therapy is also offered in about 30 Veteran Affairs centers in the country.

PTSD Coach App

Another alternative form of PTSD treatment for veterans is the PTSD Coach. This is a smartphone app that veterans can download for free. The app allows veterans to be aware of the onset PTSD symptoms, gives steps to cope with stress and provides links to PTSD help lines.

Integrating technology in this alternative treatment method is a step carving out a safe and nonjudgmental place for veterans who are experiencing PTSD symptoms but are too afraid or confused to seek help.

Mindfulness and Meditation

The practice of mindfulness is useful to veterans with PTSD since this allows them to focus on the now and learn to deal with situations that affect them in the present moment. PTSD patients are often plagued with flashbacks of traumatic events that can be crippling to them. Mindfulness is a tool against these experiences.

Mindfulness-based treatment plans are offered in PTSD clinics and Veterans Affairs centers all over the country. These therapy sessions include group or one-on-one sharing sessions, stretching and meditation exercises.

Massage Therapy

The use of touch and physical manipulation as a form of alternative treatment has been common in many cultures all over the world. This therapy centers on the belief that health is restored by the manual manipulation of bones, muscles and tissues. For veterans with PTSD, this form of treatment can be beneficial since it allows the patients to relax and loosen their minds.

Massage therapy can be used in conjunction with other conventional forms of treating PTSD. Other forms of massage therapy like Rolfing and chiropractice. It should be noted that these treatment modalities should not be used with patients with a history of physical abuse or those with heightened senses.

Family Therapy

Family therapy can often be done in conjunction with any form cognitive behavioral therapy that a person with PTSD commits to. Counseling in this form allows the patient and his/her family to communicate with each other and learn more about how PTSD is treated. The burden of treatment for PTSD should not only fall towards the person experiencing it, but it should also be shared with you and your family for it to be successfully treated.

The important part about family therapy is to improve a family’s relationship dynamics.

Energy Therapy

Energy therapy is a relatively newer form of complementary and alternative therapy for PTSD. One of the most prominent forms of energy therapy is called Emotional Freedom Technique or EFT.

This treatment option is a variation of acupuncture since the patient touches the acupuncture points or energy meridians in one’s body to stimulate them. Energy therapy can be learned through a practiced instructor and, later on, the patient can perform the techniques himself.

Image Rehearsal Therapy

Image rehearsal therapy is used for managing nightmares in patients with PTSD. It is a form of guided imagery where patients are taught to picture a series of scenes or a picture from their traumatic experiences and use this to cope with it over a period of time. When veterans are taught to consciously picture these images in their minds, their nightly terrors will not be as disturbing in effect.

There are other forms of alternative therapies used by different cultures in the world. The ones enumerated here are those most effective for PTSD. If you wish to explore them, you can visit www.holisticonline.com

Implications

At this time, there is insufficient proof of the effectiveness of complementary and alternative therapies for treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in veterans. However, initial findings of alternative therapies are encouraging. Therefore, they are best used in addition to conventional treatments for PTSD patients or as a stepping stone for patients who decline to get medical treatment for PTSD.

Where to Get Help

Talking to a therapist is not easy nor is taking medications whose side effects you cannot be sure of. But if you are experiencing any of PTSD symptoms, it’s no good keeping your feelings repressing them either. There are a lot of options for now out there. You can seek for help online, just visit www.ptsd.va.gov/public/where-to-get-help.asp

Civilianized: A Young Veteran’s Memoir

In this dark humored War Memoir, Iraq veteran Michael Anthony discusses his return from war and how he defeated his PTSD. Civilianized is a must read for any veteran, or anyone who knows a veteran, who has returned from war and suffered through Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

“An intense memoir.” -Kirkus

“I wont soon forget this book.” -Mary Roach

“A must read.” -Colby Buzzell

“[S]mart and mordantly funny.” –Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

“Anthony delivers a dose of reality that can awaken the mind…” Bookreporter

Order your copy of Civilianized: A Young Veteran’s Memoir .

Blogishness, military, ptsd, Uncategorized, Writing

Can Stress Make Us More Creative? Writing, Art, And Combat Veterans…

October 18, 2016January 31, 2017 Michael Anthony

I was recently watching this Ted Talk titled “How Frustration Can Make Us More Creative”and the talk is basically about exactly what the title describes: How frustration, those hair-pulling moments, can actually lead us to some of our greatest moments of creativity.

This got me thinking about combat veterans and why I’m seeing so many of them turn to the arts after the war.

Who doesn’t know about Edgar Allan Poe? He is famous around the world for his powerful poems and short stories, but not everyone knows that he was a member of the US Military before he became a great novelist (there’s even a funny story of him showing up naked to formation). Just like him, a lot of veterans are successfully letting go of their dark and traumatic pasts and venturing into self-expression through different art media.

[pullquote]”Sometimes, we need to go through those hurricanes and rainstorms, to see and appreciate the sun.”[/pullquote] The mid-1900s was really a dark period in history as this is when numerous wars took place. Members of the military had to be in the battlefield for many weeks, months, or even years. Aside from having no means of keeping in touch with their families, veterans were exposed to a hostile environments, without any avenue for peace and quiet. This intimidating and disturbing experience took a toll on most of them, even after the war. Unfortunately, a lot of veterans who served during the war(s) were diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD, which could result to trauma, apathy, or depression.

Stress is a negative emotion and people have associated it with trauma, apathy, or depression. Because of what happened in the past, people somewhat expect veterans to be demotivated and a lot less outgoing. However, with the right mindset and tons of encouragement from family members, friends, and other concerned citizens, some veterans were able to overcome this stage in their life with the help of arts.

Psychologists have proven the power of visual, written, or performing arts as an effective therapy for people with PTSD. A traumatic experience could overwhelm a person; thus, he may distance himself away from people and completely avoid interaction. People with PTSD are usually scared to vent their feelings and emotions, worrying that any form of reminder of the experience they have been though could be unbearable. With the help of different types of art such as writing, painting, playing instruments, or performing in theaters, veterans now have a channel to let go of their suppressed emotions, fears, anxiety, and loneliness. Any of these mediums give a veteran a sense of entitlement and a spark of positivity, something that they have been deprived of during the war period.

Today, there are many non-profit organizations that serve as avenues for veterans to explore their creative side. These organizations provide support and training for veterans and help them smoothly transition from military to civilian life. They also pay honor and recognition to the invaluable contribution of our veterans with programs and activities that campaign and promote the overall well-being of U.S. veterans and their families.

Groups like Warrior Writers and Words After War encourage veterans to utilize creative writing as a means of communication and self-expression. Other groups such as the United States Veterans’ Artists Alliance (USVAA) and the United States Veterans Art Program (USVAP) offer a holistic approach and a more comprehensive artistic media such as music, theater, photography, and film. Despite the differences in each group’s method or type of approach, their goal and mission is one and the same — to help veterans let go of their traumatic past and realize that there is life after war, and it is beautiful.

I think this is why beauty can come out of some of the ugliest of places. Sometimes, we need to go through those hurricanes and rainstorms, to see and appreciate the sun. There is nothing uglier than war and it’s why so many combat veterans are flocking to the arts. The storms have filled them with creativity inside and they need a release. It’s also why I think so many therapies that help veterans with PTSD include the arts. There’s a certain pent-up-ness that veterans need to get out and if they keep it inside too long, it leads to mental constipation. Art gives them that release from the frustration.

Civilianized: A Young Veteran’s Memoir

“An intense memoir.” -Kirkus

“I wont soon forget this book.” -Mary Roach

“A must read.” -Colby Buzzell

“[S]mart and mordantly funny.” –Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

“Anthony delivers a dose of reality that can awaken the mind…” Bookreporter

Order your copy of Civilianized: A Young Veteran’s Memoir .

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How Writing can Help Veterans with PTSD?

August 26, 2016January 31, 2017 Michael Anthony

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental illness that results from a highly stressful, traumatic, and life-threatening experience. It is important to note that not every individual who experiences a traumatic event will suffer from PTSD. It all depends on the mental state, overall mental health of the sufferer, the trigger, as well as other risk factors that an individual is exposed to i.e. alcoholism, drug addiction, genetics, the lack of family and friends, disaster, calamity, etc.

Signs of PTSD

PTSD manifests itself to the sufferer in different ways i.e. flashbacks, nightmares, hyperarousal, etc. External signs of PTSD vary from person to person. Signs usually include increased wariness, jumpiness, a sudden change in behavior, paranoia, violence, etc.

US Veterans

When we talk about US war veterans, we talk about any war or armed exercise that the United States has been involved in, whether in the past or recently. This presupposes that there is still a survivor of the said war. Sufferers are not limited to combat personnel. PTSD can also be experienced by medics, chaplains, nurses, administrative personnel, etc. This includes any situation, exercise and military incursion wherein any serviceman is exposed to a traumatic experience.

These include, but are not limited to:

Vietnam war
Panama invasion
Gulf War
Somali civil war
Iraq war
Afghanistan war
Pakistan war

PTSD Statistics

A recent study shows that around 60% of men and 50% of women will experience some sort of trauma in their lifetime. Because of the nature of PTSD, a substantial percentage of sufferers include war veterans. It is estimated that 20% of US soldiers who were deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan suffer from PTSD. This translates to around 2.7 million veterans. Going further back, there were around 8.2 million soldiers deployed in the Vietnam War. Roughly 2.6 million of these war veterans developed some form of PTSD.

PTSD as a Curable Mental Illness

PTSD has been present in every armed conflict or war that humanity has been involved in. However, in the United States, it was only during World War I when PTSD came into center stage. Previously, people who showed signs of PTSD were thought to be psychologically lacking, even brain damaged i.e. weak-willed, weak-minded, and emotionally unstable.

Gradually, psychiatrists came to realize that experiences trigger emotions, which in turn lead to “shell shocked” soldiers. In other words, being shell shocked does not stem from psychological inadequacy, from a mental illness. This point of view was the start of what is known today as PTSD. More importantly, physicians realized that this illness is curable, with pre- and post-management and medication.

Management and Care

PTSD management and care is a mixture of proper care, medication and support. The military has its own department when it comes to identifying, caring for and managing PTSD veterans. Some methods for PTSD management and care include psychological therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, interpersonal psychotherapy and medications (i.e. Benzodiazepines, Glucocorticoids, Cannabinoids).

Alternative Forms of Therapy

These forms of therapy are best utilized to augment mainstream PTSD management and care. These include but are not limited to exercise, sports, as well as taking up some form of physical and mental activity.

Expressive Writing and PTSD

One way to speed up the process of healing is to write about the experience. Writing helps because the sufferer controls the flow of thought and the detail to be put in. The sufferer is encouraged to start with a single word and progress slowly. At first, the sufferer does not even have to write chronologically. Snippets of thought are enough. The sufferer is then encouraged to add details then arrange the same in a manner through which he is most comfortable in, i.e. chronological, importance, shock factor, etc.

When asked why it works for some, one proponent, who also suffered from PTSD says: “You control what you write. You control what you disclose. You control the memories that you want to put forth. This control helps empower the sufferer, who, for all intents and purposes, has lost control over his emotions, to the traumatic event/s of the past.”

Case Study

Studies show that expressive writing does not exacerbate the symptoms of PTSD. On the contrary, it actually helps improve the overall mood of the individual. In addition, a significant number of psychiatrists observed a positive increase in post traumatic growth. Needless to say, a person suffering from PTSD is encouraged to seek the advice of a licensed psychiatrist who specializes in the same disorder.

Civilianized: A Young Veteran’s Memoir

“An intense memoir.” -Kirkus

“I wont soon forget this book.” -Mary Roach

“A must read.” -Colby Buzzell

“[S]mart and mordantly funny.” –Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

“Anthony delivers a dose of reality that can awaken the mind…” Bookreporter

Order your copy of Civilianized: A Young Veteran’s Memoir .

ptsd, Self Improvement / Healthy Living, Uncategorized

10 Alternative Therapies for Veterans with PTSD

August 3, 2016January 31, 2017 Michael Anthony

PTSD is a serious condition that affects many of the veterans and soldiers coming back from war zones. Although there may be no physical signs of trauma, the condition manifests itself through mental or psychological symptoms that could negatively affect the quality of life of soldiers and veterans when they finally come home.

PTSD Causes & Symptoms

Generally speaking, PTSD is experienced by anyone who goes through a trauma, which encompasses anything shocking or scary happening to you. PTSD makes one believe as though their life and the life of others are in danger, even during safe situations. The condition causes intense fear and the feeling of helplessness, which may cause sufferers to react in an extreme way. Veterans make up a large percentage of those who suffer from PTSD although the condition is not exclusive to their class.

Alternative Therapies for PTSD

Cognitive Therapy

Cognitive therapy is a type of talk therapy wherein sufferers are given the chance to talk about their experiences in order to gain better understanding of the trauma and what they’re going through. It focuses on the negative thinking that keeps a person stuck in PTSD with the intent to solve that negative way of looking at things eventually.

Exposure Therapy

Exposure therapy is often used together with cognitive therapy. This is a process wherein you’ll be taught how to safely face situations considered to be frightening or dangerous. It involves the use of virtual reality programs that let you enter a situation where trauma took place with the intention of promoting a different set of emotions or results.

EMDR

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desentization and Reprocessing. It focuses on eye movements and guiding such movements so that you can reprocess the memories that cause trauma. This is often used together with exposure therapy and cognitive therapy.

Brief Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

Under this therapy technique, you get to learn how to process and properly deal with any emotional conflicts cased by PTSD. The psychotherapy identifies the factors that trigger symptoms of PTSD and how you can identify and hopefully deal with them before they get worse.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture can be tricky considering that it involves pushing needles into the body. Once a veteran successfully goes through the procedure however, he’ll find that the process itself is nothing to worry about. Acupuncture stems from traditional Asian culture, which works by targeting specific stress spots in the body and releasing miniscule currents that will help an individual relax.

Meditation

It may seem awkward at first to see a veteran doing meditation, but studies show that the technique actually helps a lot in calming PTSD sufferers. The method itself is known for quieting the mind, helping individuals relax, and essentially give them a sense of peace that flourishes from within.

Group Therapy

Group therapy is also another useful technique used to help veterans with PTSD. As the name suggests, it involves talking to people who are undergoing or have undergone the same process as you. By being in the company of people who understand, those with PTSD can express themselves in the best way possible and essentially swap stories and methods that will lead them to a path of healing.

Pet Therapy

Perhaps the best alternative therapy for PTSD-sufferers today is pets or dogs specially trained to meet the needs of veterans. These dogs are specially tuned to detect any tremors or shift in the emotion of their human charges and immediately go to their side to offer comfort. In some instances, the dog may even wake up their charge who t is having a bad dream. So far, this is the most effective and highly rewarding alternative therapy for veterans with PTSD.

Video Games

A little unorthodox, studies show that video games also work as alternative treatments for PTSD. Specifically, the game Tetris is being used by doctors to study and gain results as to the positive effects of video games in hindering the symptoms of PTSD. Studies show that there’s an incredibly 70% decrease in the symptoms as the game stops the involuntary flashbacks those with PTSD have.

Family Therapy

Family therapy works much like cognitive therapy, but it requires the involvement of every person in a family. This is important since the bursts of anger and other behavioral issues a person may have during PTSD can affect everyone in the family; hence, the therapy makes it possible for the veteran to express himself and at the same time, teach every family member to understand the situation of their loved one. More importantly, family therapy teaches them on the proper way to react, ensuring that the path to recovery becomes faster and easier.

Of course, those are just few of the alternative therapies currently used by veterans suffering from PTSD. Medications are also recommended by doctors although they are often mixed with alternative therapies to increase the chances of recovery. If you or a loved one is suffering from PTSD, do not miss any of the alternative therapies mentioned above.

Civilianized: A Young Veteran’s Memoir

“An intense memoir.” -Kirkus

“I wont soon forget this book.” -Mary Roach

“A must read.” -Colby Buzzell

“[S]mart and mordantly funny.” –Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

“Anthony delivers a dose of reality that can awaken the mind…” Bookreporter

Order your copy of Civilianized: A Young Veteran’s Memoir .

ptsd, Uncategorized

5 Reasons It’s Important for Veterans to Share Their Stories

July 17, 2016January 31, 2017 Michael Anthony

When veterans come home from the war, many of them bring back so many stories to tell. The problem is that society tends to forget them and these stories end up untold and suppressed. The moment they come home from their service, most veterans disappear back into the community. This is unfortunate, not just for the veterans but for society as well, since the experiences and stories from the servicemen and women can benefit everyone in so many ways.

Recently, the expressive arts have become a great way for many veterans to share their stories to the world. There are some veterans who had found their voice by writing while there are those who go onstage to tell their stories in speeches and theatrical performances. All of these are good signs that the veterans’ voice is coming out to be heard by many of the world’s population.

The stories that these veterans have to tell are more than just ordinary stories. What’s more, the act of telling these stories also serves various purposes. To understand the importance of this simple act, perhaps it would be best to take a look at the following reasons:

Catharsis

This refers to the purging of strong emotions. Veterans have a lot of pent-up emotions that come from their experiences in the war. Many veterans experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This is due mostly to the fact that they keep traumatic experiences to themselves.

Veterans who suffer from PTSD can no longer function normally in society. Their daily lives are affected because they replay those traumatic experiences over and over in their heads. It is a debilitating disease that makes them withdraw from everyday interactions. Even the smallest thing can trigger memories of the traumatic events they have gone through.

Although there are some medications prescribed to treat PTSD, talk therapy has also been proven to work wonders on the disorder. When veterans are able to share their stories among fellow veterans, they do not feel so alone in their struggles. They are able to purge themselves of the traumatic experiences that they have bottled up for so long and move forward with their lives.

Awareness

The struggles and sacrifices of servicemen have been written about for many years but ordinary people will never completely feel the way these veterans feel about what they have gone through. With more stories told by veterans, more and more people will at least learn about what these public servants go through as they perform their sworn duty. With enough awareness, civilians for whom these soldiers put their life on line can extend support, understanding, and kindness towards these veterans.

Reintegration into the Community

When they go back home, there is a certain part of the veterans that feel disconnected from their community. The years of being out on the field and away from their families and friends have the effect of isolating them from the lives they used to live. Even as they seem to simply disappear into their communities, these veterans feel out of place and often opt to keep to themselves. By encouraging veterans to tell their stories, they are made to feel that they are still part of their old community.

Passing on Oral History

What veterans have are pieces of history. First hand experiences of how history truly unfolded can be passed on from one generation to another. These are stories that you do not normally find in history books. These are stories that are told with real emotion unlike most of the storytelling found in academic textbooks. Some communities could perhaps have an annual tribute night where the stories will be recounted as a way to keep history alive. This is, of course, not recommended for events that are truly traumatic or devastating.

Preservation of Legacy

Much has been said about remembering the past and honoring the brave men who have served their country. Letting veterans tell their stories is a way to honor them for their service and bravery. By sharing their stories with the community, people will remembering them and the legacy of these veterans who served so gallantly will also live on not just for their sake but for the entire country’s sake.

Encouraging veterans to tell their stories is the least their family and friends can do for these living heroes. However, circumstances can vary from one veteran to another. It would not be constructive to force them to tell their stories if they are not ready to share them just yet. Not all veterans “heal” at the same pace. What is important is that their family and friends remain supportive and ready to give them the “stage” when they are ready to share their stories.

Civilianized: A Young Veteran’s Memoir

“An intense memoir.” -Kirkus

“I wont soon forget this book.” -Mary Roach

“A must read.” -Colby Buzzell

“[S]mart and mordantly funny.” –Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

“Anthony delivers a dose of reality that can awaken the mind…” Bookreporter

Order your copy of Civilianized: A Young Veteran’s Memoir .

Quote, Uncategorized

Thought for the day – John Green

July 12, 2016February 22, 2016 Michael Anthony

A nice quote for this warm summer we’ve been having here in Massachusetts.

Politics / News, ptsd, Uncategorized

How can I help someone with PTSD?

June 1, 2016January 31, 2017 Michael Anthony

PTSD does not just affect the person who has it. Rather, the condition can also have a negative impact on his or her family and friends. It’s not easy to live with the symptoms of PTSD, and seeing your loved ones suddenly change their behavior can be utterly terrifying. You fear that they won’t ever come back to normal, even when they’re under therapy.

Even though things may get difficult, it is important that you give your full support to the person suffering from PTSD. It doesn’t sound much, but it can actually promote a positive change to your loved one. Here are tips on how you and your family can cope with PTSD:

Be patient. Even if a person is totally committed to his treatments, it will really take a lot of time before he can recover from PTSD. This means that you really need to be patient throughout the process.
Learn more about PTSD. If you understand how PTSD works, its effects, and the available treatments, you will be more capable of helping your loved one and keep everything in the right perspective.
Don’t force the person to discuss his thoughts and feelings. Talking about traumatic experiences can be really difficult, even if you are discussing it with someone close to you. Instead of forcing your loved one to talk to you, give him some space and allow him to open up when he is ready. Just tell him that you are always willing to talk.
Learn to listen. If they are ready to talk about their traumatic experiences, listen to them without forming any judgments and expectations. Make him feel that you are interested in what he is saying and that you care about him. You don’t necessarily have to give some advice all the time; it’s enough that you just listen to him. Let the professionals give the advice for you.

In some cases, a person suffering from PTSD may feel the need to rehash the traumatic event over and over again. This can be infuriating at times, but avoid scolding him and telling him to move on with his life. Let him talk and lend a listening ear.

Keep in mind that it’s alright if you don’t like what you hear. It’s understandable that traumatic experiences are stories that are really difficult to digest. However, make sure that you still respect their feelings.

Civilianized: A Young Veteran’s Memoir

“An intense memoir.” -Kirkus

“I wont soon forget this book.” -Mary Roach

“A must read.” -Colby Buzzell

“[S]mart and mordantly funny.” –Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

“Anthony delivers a dose of reality that can awaken the mind…” Bookreporter

Order your copy of Civilianized: A Young Veteran’s Memoir .

Picture: Flickr/Alexis Lane