First Field Dressing First Field Dressing - SBT | Page 3

“First Field Dressing”
A PTSD & Anxiety Self Help Guide
The Aim:
 To improve the mental health of veterans.
 To increase the veterans ability to cope through stressful situations
 To reduce the level and frequency of mental health related episodes
The “FFD” programme aids by:
 Promoting recovery and improving quality of life
 Identifies the things that keep us well
 Identifies the conditions that give us stress
 Identifies the varying trigger points we may have
 Understanding the way we are affected
 Identifying the early signs of related illnesses
 Developing better strategies for coping
 Building support networks with people we trust
 Managing the resources around us to avoid further episodes
Why Bother?:
Many veterans have experienced life threatening and horrific situations during their service
lives. Many of these veterans will recover from the trauma‟s of these events naturally within a
few months while many more will not. The effects of these events may not show themselves
for many years after. This can lead to the veterans just blanking the memories out and
ignoring the symptoms of growing illnesses such as Combat Related PTSD, depression,
anxiety etc. It can also lead to an increase in drinking, drugs, crime etc leading to alcoholism,
prison and , in extreme cases, suicide. Although some veterans may choose to blank the
memories and “not go there”, they will remain as unhealthy memories and thoughts that need
addressing.
So the objective of “FFD” is to give us increasing control over situations that make us
vulnerable, to reduce the impact of related illnesses and to promote our present and future
well being. This kind of approach reduces symptoms and improves quality of life. It works
alongside any treatments, care plans or other help you may have and is specially focused on
what you can do to promote your own recovery and avoid relapse.