Watch BMB Basic Training - Episode 11 - "RESILIENCE" on The CombatCounselor Channel

In previous episodes, we discussed what to expect in therapy; mindfulness; the meaning of StayPresent, BeResilient, and StayTheCourse; creative hopelessness; control as the problem and not the solution; cognitive confusion; and the negative stigma of PTSD and military mental health treatment; among other things. In this episode, I discuss "RESILIENCE" as a way to live a value-driven life as opposed to being sucked-in to a life dominated by anxiety and/or depression.

Acting with selflessness, integrity, empathy, altruism, and compassion, rather than giving in to negative and unhelpful thoughts, is much more fruitful and positive. If you have practiced mindful meditation long enough and listened to the things I have taught you in previous episodes, when faced with a challenging thought or emotion, a scary or unpleasant physical sensation, or a difficult, or even traumatic situation, you can take a deep breath, focus on the present moment, see things as they really are, THEN act with selflessness, integrity, empathy, altruism, and compassion, or in accordance with your values, you have an alternative way to react to anxiety, depression, and other crippling problems.



http://youtu.be/1DgbvjQn5cs

Post in Response to Dr. Wayne Dyer's Facebook Status Update - November 5th, 2012

Dear Wayne,

You either do not read the comments to your posts or do not care enough to acknowledge those who take the time to do so. I am not apple polisher like many of those kissing your hind end, hoping to gain some sort of a sense of importance or belongingness to the Dyer "in" group.

We met at Mary Hoyt's retirement party early last decade, having a wonderful, intelligent conversation on the rear deck. You seemed to be kind and sincere when you told me to "keep in touch", which I tried to do, even stopping by your protests of Planned Parenthood on Colorado Avenue in Colorado Springs where you acted as if you had never seen me before. I have even written, commenting on your work and asking you to "say hello to Mary", whom I lost contact with after moving to Kansas City in 2008.

In any event, you continue to inspire me and others with your words, but your actions conflict with the words that spew so effortlessly from your mind. I am also a writer, clinician, and philosopher of sorts with several thousand followers on Twitter, a popular blog, and YouTube channel with a respectable 37,000+ visits over the past year...not viral by any stretch, but fairly popular nonetheless.

I could use a mentor to help me become a better person and author, but have found over the years that people only mentor others when there is something in it for them. As you know, humans are naturally selfish if they have no clear ideals, values to guide them. I am not saying that you are selfish or anything of the sort. I am just pointing out that you have become separated from your flock, your followers, your fans, and that is a sad. It makes your words much less powerful or inspirational.

My values are clear - selflessness...loyalty...integrity...compassion...excellence...dignity...respect - and I act in accordance with them as often as possible. When I tell someone something, like "keep in touch", I mean it and happily respond if they chose to reach out in the future. I just wanted to share my experience, emotions, feelings with you as professionally and honestly as possible. That is just the way I am.

You will not hear from me again, I have more important things and people to spend my time on. I wish you the best in life and your future.

StayPresent; BeResilient; StayTheCourse

C.T. Sorrentino
aka CombatCounselor

StayPresent; BeResilient; and StayTheCourse are trademarks of CombatCounselor and 3rd Wave Media Group - 2012 - All Rights Reserved

PTSD May Cause Back Pain?

I read an article in the November 5th issue of Air Force Times. I am starting to ask myself why I pay to read this rag because the stories are becoming more and more idiotic!  The story claims that "PTSD May Cause Back Pain"... as Tina Fay and Amy Poeller would say ... REALLY!

Correlation does not infer causation. Just because a large number of troops with back pain HAPPEN TO ALSO HAVE PTSD does not mean the two are connected!  That is like saying that drinking water will kill you because 99.9% of those who die (everyone at some point) drank water every day of their life! A near perfect correlation, a ridiculous inference.

Military (Air Force) Times should use the space taken up by articles like that and dedicate it to a series with the goal of educating their military readers and the public on the negative stigmas associated with PTSD and seeking treatment for it and other mental health issues in the military and VA systems.

Currently, 6,900 Military and Veterans, on average, kill themselves, COMMIT SUICIDE, each year. Eliminate the negative stigmas ... reduce the suicide rate significantly!

People comfortable seeking and receiving mental health care are FAR LESS LIKELY to resort to suicide. It has been said that "suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem". They should do some good and use the space in their paper for something useful...or just leave the space empty...it would do less harm than filling it with that kind of crap!

HELP END THE NEGATIVE STIGMAS ASSOCIATED WITH PTSD AND MILITARY MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT BEFORE ONE MORE AMERICAN HERO DIES BY HIS OR HER OWN HAND!

Chris Sorrentino, LtCol, USAF (Ret)
aka CombatCounselor

COPYRIGHT 2012 - 3rd Wave Media Group, LLC - All Rights Reserved