Page 308 - Total War on PTSD

challenges, have been dealt the added worry of a family member with cancer or raising a child with Autism.
This is all to say that stress need not come from seeing combat. Stress comes from a number of places. And, as it is with life, those challenges change and their day-to-day impact can ebb and flow.
In the end, we are all human and when faced with challenges, different people cope differently. Moreover, taking part in combat or special operations missions need not trigger stress-related coping that involves drugs or alcohol. In fact, here in Washington I have seen a number of individuals working “desk jobs” but in extraordinarily stressful environments. The resultant “coping” mechanisms are the same.
When a client is involved in drug or alcohol abuse, we have no choice but to send them somewhere to get help. But for those who haven’t started abusing alcohol or drugs, but who are clearly under an enormous amount of stress day-in and day-out, I have to have the candid conversation about seeking professional help.
Why do these individuals not seek help on their own? Why don’t they see a counselor or mental health profession?
“Stigma," they’ll say.
Stigma from what?
They’ll respond with, “The assumption that something is wrong with me.”
Who’s making that assumption?
“Friends. Colleagues. Loved ones. The government — and I’ll lose my clearance,” — is the conclusion they’ll draw.
Nothing can be further from the truth.
I am not going to discuss what your friends or family may think about getting mental health treatment. And, to be frank, that is a personal matter that not “everyone” needs to know. So, the notion that people will think less of “you” is simply not true because you need NOT tell them. In other words: your business is your business.
308 of 1042