“Surviving the Shadows’: A Journey of Hope into Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. (Part II) By Bob Delaney
Yesterday I talked about Bob Delany and his personal compelling story, today I will share with you some of the insights he offers us about dealing with PTSD.
In his book, surviving the Shadows’: A Journey of Hope into Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Delany points out a number of interesting insights like:
The person who is suffering from PTSD will have intense, disproportional (to the situation) emotional responses to situations. These responses are signs that the person is still putting their prior experience into perspective.
Delany mentions that his family and friends, which is typical of others who are suffering from PTSD, wanted the “old Bob” back. The Bob who was as he puts it: “was quick to laugh at a joke” and who was care free. Delany talks about how that “old Bob” isn’t coming back. There may be glimmers of his former self, but he is permanently changed because of his experience of being in constant danger. Delany’s advise is that both the suffer and their family have to relate to the “new” person the suffer is becoming.
One of the strategies he and others have used to heal from PTSD is to have a purpose, a mission. To focus on the positive and more than that, to do something that helps others and that they are passionate about.
An important message that Bob Delany offers is; that the most effective help is from “peer to peer” counseling. Delany strongly emphasizes that what can make the biggest impact is for the person suffering from PTSD to be able to talk to someone who has been there, who has gone through their own version of trauma. The shared experience of a peer counselor adds creditability and hope for the “suffer”.
If you are interested in learning more about PTSD because either you have suffered from it yourself or you have a loved one who is wrestling with this issue this is an amazing book by this amazing man is a wonderful resource.
To say Delany is a brave human being is an understatement, he someone who has done a very important and tough job and we owe him a lot for both the work he has done and for the light he is shining on the issue of PSTD. The insights in his book are applicable soldiers who have seen combat as well as police, firefighters and other uniformed services who face danger every day to protect us.
Post script:
Delany eventually left the police and through a series of events that you will read about in the book he became a professional referee for the National Basket Ball Association.
Post post script:
Delany has retired from his position from the NBA to dedicate his life to helping other who is suffering from PTSD. When I said Delany is an extraordinary person I was not exaggerating. I am a respectful member of the Rob Delany fan club.
To learn more about PSTD you can go to my other site: DrMartyTashman.com in about 2 or 3 weeks where I will go into detail about this very serious emotional condition.