Black Diamond councillor and Turner Valley Legion president Michel Jackson says memories of the atrocities of war can lay dormant for years before rising to the surface and creating physical and emotional barriers to life. The stigma of post-traumatic stress disorder can then prevent military personnel from seeking out treatment. He knows treatment works, he has experienced it first-hand. photo by Rae Graham

Each year Remembrance Day services are held “lest we forget”, meanwhile there are some memories veterans are wishing they could forget.
Things happen while soldiers are engaged in war that shake them to the core, no matter how strong, how mentally prepared the soldiers may be. It used to be called shell shock, but it’s now known as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Being plagued by memories of atrocities can take over veterans’ lives to the point they disengage from their lives once they return home. They retreat from their spouses, their children and their friends. They numb themselves with alcohol and drugs. They can’t sleep. They can’t work because they live in an emotional rollercoaster of deep depression or angry fits of rage.
Many veterans go for years without getting help primarily because of the stigma that has been attached to post-traumatic stress disorder.
Black Diamond resident Michel Jackson can attest to the stigma and the debilitating effects of post-traumatic stress.
For years Jackson, president of the Turner Valley Royal Canadian Legion, was haunted by disturbing memories of combat.
“Post traumatic stress disorder is a debilitating disease. Some people have huge anxiety attacks or they go into long bouts of depression. Some turn to gambling, some to alcohol. It really makes a mess of their lives,” said Jackson. “I’ve seen it and I’ve experienced it — I’m still being treated.”
Thankfully, Jackson has had some success in addressing his trauma through treatment.
Dr. Stephen Boucher, a psychiatrist who treats military personnel for post-traumatic stress disorder, said veterans are finally seeking out help after many years of battling their demons alone. Boucher said many did not seek help because of the stigma PTSD had in the past and the harsh treatment soldiers suffering from PTSD received.
“In the First World War soldiers were shot at the front line, accused of cowardice when it was very likely post-traumatic stress disorder,” said Boucher. “It was really the likes of General (Romeo) D’Allaire and (Major) Stephane Grenier — these were senior officers and they stepped forward and talked about their mental health problems and that’s when the military really started to address it.”
The military is now doing mental health screening on soldiers returning from Afghanistan, Boucher said, and treatment in the form of medication and counseling is made available. Boucher treats military personnel at the Carewest Operational Stress Injury Clinic in Calgary, which opened in 2006 for that purpose.
Soldiers suffering from PTSD can experience profound anger, depression and struggle with thoughts of suicide. They may try to avoid thinking about the trauma by using drugs or alcohol and/or gambling.
“It can be profoundly disabling,” said Boucher. “When we see the older vets, we’re seeing the ones who survived. The others will have suicided or died from alcohol-related problems.”
He is pleased people are seeing PTSD in a new light and increasing numbers of soldiers are accepting help for PTSD, however, it I s heartbreaking to consider the number of older veterans who suffered alone with post-traumatic stress disorder.
“One of the symptoms of the disease is emotional numbing. You don’t feel sadness and you don’t feel love in the same way. So you can go through a lifetime without the loving feelings you think you should have had for your partner, your children,” said Boucher.
Treatment can offer real help for soldiers. The Carewest facility offers interdisciplinary treatment by specialists, including medication, prolonged exposure therapy, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Re-processing) and cognitive behavioural therapy.
“The outcomes can be surprisingly positive, even in the most chronic cases,” said Boucher.
Jackson served in Cypress in 1974 and for 27 years he had no trouble with those memories. Then eight years ago they boiled to the surface of Jackson’s consciousness and took hold of his life.
“I would have huge anxiety attacks. To the point that I’d vomit. I had nightmares. Sweats. Depression,” said Jackson.
Veterans Affairs Canada pays for post-traumatic stress counseling, Jackson said. There is no cost to the vet. In addition, depending on the severity of the condition, veterans may be eligible for financial compensation.
But they must step forward and admit to having a problem.
“Because of the stigma attached, many don’t come forward to get treatment,” said Jackson. “I don’t think the public is the cause of the fear of coming out and admitting a problem — it’s more the peer group. You feel your peer group will lose respect for you or think you’re a weak person.”
Jackson said he knows of only one other vet in the foothills region who is seeking treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder. The vet is in his 80s, but only began treatment a few years ago.
There may be others suffering, he said, but not willing to come forward.
His advice is don’t worry about the stigma, go and get help if you think you need it.
He has been receiving treatment for four years taking medication and working through the memories with a psychologist.
“It’s called in vivo. It makes you relive your experience and keep repeating it and they monitor your heart rate. Eventually, you listen to yourself on a tape recounting the story — that’s your homework,” said Jackson. “They stop you and say, ‘How are you feeling now? What’s your stress level?’ I found that really helpful for me.”
The treatment has helped him get to the point where he can live with his memories and put them aside.
“You manage the memory, it doesn’t manage you. Whereas before, it took over everything,” said Jackson.
Armed forces personnel who would like more information about treatment available for post-traumatic stress disorder can call Michel Jackson, who also acts as the Turner Valley Legion services officer, at 403-933-4794 or call Canada Veterans Affairs at 1-866-522-2122 and ask for an area counselor.
tneely@okotoks.greatwest.ca

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