D. J. Poulton 2020 | Ormeau | Queensland | Australia|
Contact Dave
DAVO’S HOME PAGE FOR
VIETNAM VETERANS
A Blast From The Past . .
Research
has
shown
the
role
of
the
adrenal
glands
play
in
survival
is
so
vital
that
they
seem
to
have
a
"hair-
triggered"
response.
The
brain
does
not
reason,
or
analyse
danger
before
the
adrenaline
is
released.
It
seems
that
any
form
of
sensory
information
can
trigger
the
release
of
adrenaline,
including
imagined
or
remembered
information.
In
other
words,
the
brain
won't
tell
you
the
danger
that
caused
the
adrenaline
to
be
released
was
from
a
30
year
old
memory
until
all
that
"fight/flight"
is
pumping
through
your
system.
Once
these
triggers
have
been
pulled
there
is
no
going
back.
The
hormones
are
off
and
running,
they
must
run their course.
These
triggers
can
be
on
a
conscious
level,
such
as
the
sound
of
a
helicopter,
the
night
sky,
the
smell
of
dried
fish
or
rice
cooking.
They
may
be
on
a
subconscious
level,
as
expecting
family
members
to
read
your
mind
(hyper
alertness)
during
s
stressful
situation and they don't!
The
uncontrolled
trigger
pulling
and
subsequent
pumping
of
"fight/flight"
hormones
through the body moves this abnormal stress response to the foe side of the sheet.
ADAPTATION - THE KEY TO VICTORY
Adrenaline
and
nor
adrenaline,
although
vital
to
our
health
and
survival,
can
also
work
against
us
through
uncontrolled
over
stimulation.
Society,
family
and
circumstance
does
not
allow
the
natural
responses
of
the
"fight/flight"
to
the
triggered
release
of
these
stress hormones.
The
victory
over
these
"life
saving"
turned
"life
destroying"
responses
comes
through
adaptation.
Adaptation
is
the
key
to
victory
over
adrenaline
related
stress
disorder,
and
understanding
is
the
key
to
adaptation.
Understanding
PTSD,
is
understanding
how
the
war
experience
is
continuing
to
be
fought
or
resolved
in
the
mind
of
the
Veteran.
Understanding
adrenaline
triggers
is
understanding
how
the
war
experience
is
continuing to be played out in the body of the Veteran.
Family,
friends
and
support
groups
are
vital
to
"trigger
evaluation."
The
Vet
must
feel
safe, supported and loved.
SURRENDER - DISARMING YOUR TRIGGERS
Triggers
are
dangerous
to
your
health
as
well
as
to
your
relationships
with
loved
ones,
friends,
fellow
workers
.
Understanding
your
triggers,
adaptation,
and
tools
such
as
"trigger charts" will give you a measure of victory over some stress disorders.
To
completely
render
harmless
and
disarm
your
triggers,
you
must
surrender
them.
This
above
all
else
is
the
option
that
has
the
most
success.
It
doesn't
work
to
fight
your
triggers, or to run from them. Disarming your triggers gives you the "real edge!"
TRIGGER CHART
DATE
EVENT
TRIGGER
RESPONSE
RECALL
DAY OF THE WEEK
AND DATE.E WEEK
AND DATE
RECORD EVENT OR
ACTIVITY DURING
WHICH TRIGGER WAS
PULLED.
rRECORD TRIGGER.
RECORD YOUR
IMMEDIATE
RESPONSE.
TRY TO RECALL THE
ORIGINAL EVENT OR
DRAMA.
M / /
T / /
W / /
T / /
F / /
S / /
S / /
DID YOU TRIGGER AN EVENT? IF SO WHICH DAY(S)? (CIRCLE DAY OR DAYS)
M
T
W
T
F
S
S
DID YOU HAVE MORE THAN ONE EVENT IN A DAY? IF SO CIRCLE DAY OR DAYS:
M
T
W
T
F
S
S
As
your
triggers
are
recorded,
you
will
find
not
only
triggers
you
were
unaware
of,
but
also
repeated
triggers.
The
repeated
triggers
are
the
ones
to
work
on
first.
A
part
of
that
work
involves
prayer
and
surrender
to
God
of
those
triggers,
and
another
part
of
that
work
involves
sharing
your
triggers.
The
above
chart
helps
you
share
those
trigger.
Your
sharing
must
always
be
with
someone
you
can
depend
upon
and
trust,
preferably
a
praying Christian who knows and lives in the power of prayer.
Identifying
and
evaluating
triggers
is
a
vital
first
step
in
gaining
victory
and
a
"peace
with
your
past."
The
trigger
chart
as
shown
will
allow
the
visual
and
graphic
evaluation
of
those events, (both real and remembered) that trigger your "fight/flight" responses.
TRIGGER EXAMPLES
SMELLS
Urine, mould, diesel, Asian food.
SOUNDS
Helicopter,
jet
noise,
backfires,
popcorn
popping,
indistinct
muffled
noises,
sound
of
an
unknown
source of an unknown source behind you.
ENVIRONMENT
Rain,
mud,
mist,
night
sky,
tree
lines,
Asian
plantations.
EVENTS
Arguments,
unlocked
doors
(lack
of
security),
unexpected
company,
inappropriate
order
from
the
boss,
being
criticised--family
or
co-workers,
delay
in
answering
a
question,
or
following
an
order,
distraction
from
a
set
course
of
action,
seeing
or
experiencing
injustice,
suddenly
being
surrounded
by many people.
PTSD Triggers