A new documentary seeks to give voice to those suffering from post-traumatic stress and the challenges they face in the health care system.
The “Wounded Heroes Documentary” due out today (March 5) offers a look into the treatments and medications currently used to help veterans, first responders and others battling post-traumatic stress (PTS).
An estimated 13 million Americans cope which PTS at any given time, according to the Sidran Institute, an advocacy group that promotes education on the issue. Post-traumatic stress is generally considered a short-term response to a trauma. Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is similar, except the symptoms can last for months or even years.
A fact sheet from the Sidran Institute says, “PTSD can affect anyone at any age who has been exposed to a traumatic event where he/she experienced terror, threat (or perceived threat) to life, limb or sanity, and his/her ability to cope was overwhelmed. The exposure can be direct exposure to the trauma, witnessing the trauma, or indirect exposure such as learning a close friend or relative was exposed to the trauma, or indirect exposure to aversive details of the trauma usually in the course of professional duties (e.g. first responders, medics). Conservative estimates show that 8–10 percent of the general population has PTSD. Among people who were victims of specific traumatic experiences (rape, child abuse, violent assaults, etc.), the rate of PTSD is 60–80 percent.”
The Department of Veterans Affairs reported in November 2020 that on average, 18 veterans die by suicide each day. When active-duty troops, guard members and reservists are included, that estimates rises to 20 per day on average, VA officials have said.
California filmmaker Michael Gier said he wanted to explore research into successful alternatives to current drug therapies used to treat PTS and PTSD.
‘Serious side effects’
“Post-traumatic stress among our veterans is a serious problem,” said Gier. “Most are given prescription medications, or drug cocktails as many call them, some of these prescriptions are black labeled with serious side effects.”
Gier, who traveled all over the country interviewing veterans, military brass, politicians, doctors and other experts, said many veterans feel medication is just a bandage over a wound that will never heal.
“Our veterans deserve so much more than just a band-aid and that is what inspired me to create this film,” said Gier.
Wounded Heroes Documentary is a 3-year passion project, funded primarily by Gier and his wife Terri Gier. The film features life-changing options that give many of those suffering from PTS hope, he said.
“These men and women served our country for years and the best we can do is give them drugs; some as many as eighteen different prescriptions, forty pills a day?!” said Gier. “I knew there had to be better options.”
In the film, Gier interviews health care professionals who are using alternative therapies that have been successfully proven to dramatically decrease their patients’ medication or help them become completely PTS prescription free.
More options
Gier said by creating the film he wanted to bring as much awareness as possible about these life changing treatments and that everyone suffering from PTS needed to know there were other options out there for them.
“These aren’t just therapies that can help our soldiers and veterans,” said Gier. “Firefighters, police officers, and first responders all deal with PTS, and even more people from all walks of life are being affected by COVID-19. These can benefit them too.”
Shauna Springer, one of the nation’s leading experts on trauma, especially in military contexts, is an advocate for the film.
“The feeling that post-traumatic stress is a ‘life sentence’ is killing warriors – and people across America. Many have given up, but they need to know that there is life beyond trauma – not just survival, but a good life – a connected, emotionally fulfilling life. ‘Wounded Heroes’ presents this life changing story of hope,” Springer said.
The “Wounded Heroes Documentary” is available for streaming across multiple platforms including Amazon, iTunes, Google, and more. Visit woundedheroesdocumentary.com to learn more
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