DAVO'S VIETNAM WAR HOMECOMING TO AUSTRALIA, JULY 1968

Introduction

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.

Adoption, 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 examples:

• Smells: Urine, mould, diesel, Asian food
• Sounds: Helicopter, jet noise, backfires, popcorn popping, indistinct muffled noises, sound of an unknown source behind you
• Environment: Rain, mud, mist, night sky, tree lines, Asians, 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 an injustice, suddenly being surrounded by many people.