Veterans and Recovery: 3 options for PTSD

 

 The Third Way for Recovery

Andy Stumpf is a former Navy Seal, Cross Fit consultant and pilot. I heard him on Joe Rogan's podcast the other day. He also used to skydive in those crazy dangerous winged suits. I guess he still does some of that, in addition to podcasting and public speaking. Rogan covers a lot of ground in 3 hours with every guest. It wasn’t until the end that Stumpf touched on something that’s always been an irritation to me—the portrayal of the broken down veteran in movies and TV.

To be fair it’s not without merit. A considerable amount of veterans (those in war especially) struggle to adjust to civilian life. The Veterans Administration showed that just over 37,000 veterans experienced homelessness in 2020. For some it’s a transitional phase when they’re waiting for housing or before they start a rehabilitation program. For too many though it represents a loss of confidence or hope.

Our culture offers two philosophical tracts for veterans struggling with PTSD. The “broken toys” narrative that Andy Stumpf mentioned and the “superman” approach to overcoming obstacles. Both are inadequate but well meaning. But without the spiritual truth of identity in Christ it’s a futile exercise in self evaluation. Councilors deal with trauma from all areas of life but because we owe so much to veterans it feels more important.

Theories of Self

Both philosophies are at opposite ends of the “identity spectrum”. That’s my phrase. It’s not great but it sums up the heart of the matter as one of inner value. An individual’s perception of self will dictate the choices they make. Do they blame others for their circumstances or take responsibility? Does this veteran see themselves as victim or champion? Neither theory exists in isolation from community. Communities reinforce individual worth, good or bad. 

Proponents of the broken toys narrative encourage a victim mentality. It’s less important what actually constitutes victimhood. We are all victims of something. Kids that escape crippling poverty to become wealthy business owners are still victims. War is a victimizer. It doesn’t care where you’re from or what your family life was like, it leaves scars no matter how long you are in it. But the individual is only a victim when they accept it in the mind.

Opposite that is the superman approach. Where the victim can’t see past their oppressor, the superman sees the self as the hero in the story. He won’t blame others but also won’t look for help. He sees the self as an engine in need of a spark. Its fuel is positivity and its payoff is the progress it makes navigating conflict, stress and addiction. The superman believes in the power of the human spirit and the relentless drive to self-actualization.

Real Life Struggle

I went to a men’s breakfast event at my church recently. An Iraq veteran, Adam Grover, shared his recovery story from alcoholism and PTSD to freedom and mental clarity. He experienced both philosophies in an effort to escape the hell of a chaotic existence. “They feed that victim mentality to you while you’re in treatment…they coddle you and that doesn’t serve you very well on the other side of that treatment.”

He called it the “poor wounded animal treatment” that serves as an excuse for bad behavior. In vivid detail he described a road rage incident where he actually wanted to kill the woman who smashed into him.

 But going it alone didn’t work either. “I have a history of trying to do it alone and guess what, it doesn’t work, plain and simple.” Even surrounded by family and loved ones the heavy burden of PTSD proved too much. Once surrounded by a community of believers he says “I began to see how Jesus really saw Adam and it’s changed my life.”

Coping Mechanisms

PTSD and depression are made worse with drugs and alcohol. They are the first things we seem to turn to. Adam acknowledged this much. They do permit some level of coping, although temporary. The numbness helps for a while. But proper discipline and the type of physical adrenaline Andy Stumpf is about help too. Plenty of former addicts find comfort in martial arts or extreme fitness.

I think it’s why the superman approach is so enticing for men. It draws on existing reserves of male protectionism. Protection equals worth and men that can’t protect themselves can’t protect others, therefore worthless. But both approaches look inward for solutions.

One gives us a pass on responsibility and the other leaves us empty.

Fortunately in Christ we find the answer. He is the source of our comfort, strength and hope. Both philosophies downplay the role of the Creator. We are creatures made to overcome the world because Jesus did it first. In Him we are victorious.

God created us with minds that reason through the chaos of the world. We can accomplish a lot through positive thinking and mental toughness alone. But it’s a limited world view because it’s not rooted in anything larger than self. I don’t mean to say it’s selfish. 

Personal responsibility isn’t selfish. 

Achievement isn’t selfish. 

Reaching for greatness isn’t selfish.

But with humanism the man is ultimately responsible for his success and failure. No one else can claim credit, not even family and councilors with their classes and workshops. Man made the decision and followed through, he gets the victory. This isn’t how we are created. 

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10)

Inner strength without purpose beyond ourselves can only lead to misery; life is short and our impact is less significant than we might imagine. If we are created for "good works" than looking inward will only get us so far. Good works are what we do for each other. Through charity, compassion and even mentorship we demonstrate the character of our Creator. We start to see ourselves as belonging to something larger than personal achievement. Our lives become more than the sum of our accomplishments and our identity is renewed.

The culture offers veterans two philosophical paths, broken toys or supermen. Both are flawed and lead to disappointment and emptiness. Humans are meant to be reflections of our Creator and find our strength in Him. We find rest in His plan because it’s tailored to our particular skills and desires.

 Identity starts there and it changes everything.