After eight years in the Army as an Infantryman…
I went straight into security contracting, working as a designated defensive marksman. A few short rotations later, I started having health problems, and a decade of the life I knew and the people I worked with came to a screeching halt. I ended up unemployed and living with my dad for almost two years until I could get to a point where I could function relatively normally. During that time, extreme depression and anxiety took over, which I am still fighting today years later. I was cooped up in my room and my own head. I needed a change, something that forced me to focus on something other than my health and situation.
I began taking photos as a means of getting myself out of the house and out of my head.
I don’t remember what prompted me to get a camera. I had a vague interest in photography at best, but when I got the camera and started teaching myself the technical and artistic aspects of photography, it triggered something in my brain. It was more than a distraction. I felt a SATISFACTION in the end product. Even the first photos I started with that, objectively speaking, were not good, gave me a sense of accomplishment and creation. It became a process of discovery and improvement, which I am still experiencing.
On my bad days I can grab my camera and seek out photo opportunities that help me get through the worst of it.
Some of the best photos I have taken have been on some of the worst days I’ve had. Taking the photos brought a sense of calm. Printing and displaying them brings a sense of accomplishment. It is the art of seeking the best of the world and capturing it with your perspective. It is the art of capturing and manipulating light to bring your perspective to life.
We help bring arts healing power to veterans wrestling with an unseen fight many of us deal with.
Art can be a powerful tool for healing traumatic experiences…
because it allows individuals to express and process their emotions in a safe and creative way. Traumatic experiences can be difficult to articulate through words alone, and art provides an alternative way of communicating and working through those experiences.
Engaging in creative activities can help reduce stress, increase self-awareness, and promote a sense of control and agency. Furthermore, art therapy, which is a form of therapy that uses art-making as a means of communication and self-exploration, has been shown to be effective in treating individuals who have experienced trauma. Art therapy can help individuals identify and express difficult emotions, develop coping strategies, and build a sense of resilience.
Overall, art can provide a safe and supportive space for individuals to process and heal from traumatic experiences. It allows individuals to express themselves in a way that is unique to them and can be a valuable addition to traditional forms of therapy.
Here are some ways that art therapy can be used to treat traumatic experiences:
Expressing emotions: Art therapy allows individuals to express their emotions in a safe and creative way. This can be especially helpful for individuals who struggle to verbalize their experiences and emotions.
Reducing anxiety: Creating art can be a calming and meditative activity, which can help reduce feelings of anxiety and stress. This can be especially helpful for individuals who experience hyperarousal symptoms such as flashbacks and nightmares.
Developing coping strategies: Art therapy can help individuals develop coping strategies for managing their PTSD symptoms. For example, individuals may use art to create a visual representation of their triggers, which can help them better understand and manage their reactions to those triggers.
Building self-esteem: Art therapy can help individuals build their self-esteem by providing a sense of accomplishment and pride in their creations. This can be especially helpful for individuals who have experienced trauma and may struggle with feelings of shame and self-blame.
Providing a sense of control: Creating art provides individuals with a sense of control over their environment and their experiences. This can be especially important for individuals who have experienced trauma, as the trauma can leave them feeling powerless and out of control.
Overall, art therapy can be a valuable and effective treatment for individuals with PTSD. It can help individuals process their experiences, reduce anxiety and stress, develop coping strategies, build self-esteem, and regain a sense of control over their lives.