Providing Information That Promotes Overall Growth

The A.R.S Report

Special Edition April 2013

Life After Deployment

One soldiers story of how he uses artistic expression to heal.
Ssgt Tarson Mack (ret.) exemplifies the spirit of resiliency from combat as he diligently works to utilize his gifts and talents to go through the healing process. He is a veteran who has served five combat tours ranging from Operation Desert Storm (ODS) to Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). His military career provided him with an opportunity to see the world and support his family. His experiences during the multiple deployments caused him to suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Summis:

It was after serving a total of 17 years in the military that Tarson was medically discharged from the military. Although some may view his military discharge as being the end of SSgt. Mack's military career, his artistic and entrepreneurial pursuits demonstrate that it is only the beginning of a new chapter in his life. As a 19 year-old youth, Tarson entered into the military with hopes of searching for his father. It was his first time out of his hometown of Dublin, Georgia. He felt disillusioned by his experience, so he left the military after four years of service. He worked various odd jobs during a period of six years before deciding to re-enter the military. His decision was based on the need to support his family. SSgt. Mack (Ret.) learned various lessons early on that would essentially be the foundation of his work ethic. His work in several different industries did not teach him the same value of hard work that he learned while working in the pea fields. A workman in the pea fields was only as good as the amount of peas that were picked in a given day. Those individuals who were successful were noted as those who beat the fields which means that they picked more peas than anyone else. One such worker who was known to be successful was Tarsons grandmother, Annie Mack, who even in her 70s she was beating the fields causing others to come to her for assistance. Tarson learned the importance of being diligent from this experience.

What is it?
The reoccurring experience of a traumatic event(s) that also involves symptoms of hyperarousal and the avoidance of anything that may promote the re-experiencing of the trauma.

What types of trauma?

Trauma can include events that are experienced directly such as military combat, violent personal assault, kidnapping, hostage situation, terrorist attack, torture, incarceration as a prisoner of war (POW), disasters, accidents, or the diagnosis with a life-threatening illness. A threat to the physical integrity of oneself or another can be traumatic; as well as learning about the unexpected harm/death of a family member or close associate.

Art Ther apy Helps Treat PTSD in Combat Veterans

Artistic expression in the treatment of trauma is found to be useful in assisting individuals to communicate despite their inability to express their experiences with words. Drawing methods were primarily instituted to help trauma survivors to provide a detailed description of the traumatic event as they work to master their emotions concerning the incident. Art therapy has evolved to include the treatment of PTSD in an effort to help the individual to focus on the reconstruction of the event and help with managing stress, physical symptoms, and acute or chronic psychological disorders. (continued on page 5 )
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Although he learned how to be diligent from working in the pea fields, Tarson learned how to be industrious from working with his uncles who were cabinetmakers in Dublin a small factory town in Georgia. His environment caused him to have a deep desire to look for uniqueness and opportunities for self-expression. He began to develop his artistic skills through his work with cabinetry. As a soldier, SSgt. Mack (Ret.) was met with various challenges in his career that culminated into a demotion in rank. This demotion created an economic hardship that would be the catalyst for a new venture. He began to seek opportunities to utilize his skillset and generate revenue in order to support his family. The change in focus caused him to understand that the military was not as fulfilling to him as it initially was when he initially joined the Army. His wife had a chance encounter with a fellow artist at a retirement facility that would open up artistic horizons. Mr. Roberts taught Tarson the art of carving eggshells. Tarson later came in contact with Lew Jensen, a dentist and author of Profitable Hobbies. Mr. Jensen is also into high tech engraving that is a major influence in Tarsons artistry. Tarson now engraves artistic expression in ostrich eggs.
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Did You Know?

Factors such as the severity, duration, and the proximity of exposure to the traumatic event are important in determining the likelihood of developing PTSD.

Just because you cant see something, doesnt mean its not there.
Willard Wigan Taking the philosophy and inspiration of Willard Wigan, Tarson Mack takes on the artistic approach of creating art that is therapeutic in nature. Wigan is noted as entering into a meditative state that helps him to work on his intricate pieces of art. The process includes slowing down his heartbeat so that he can reduce any hand tremors. The reduced rate of his heartbeats sets the course and the process of sculpting. This approach is conducive to art therapy in those individuals who experience PTSD. SSgt. Mack indicates that woodcarving itself does not provide him with a sense of enjoyment. He says that he sometimes feels depressed as if he is not getting anywhere and he is wasting his time. Woodcarving provides him with an emotional release that he is unable to achieve by other means. He indicates that the outcome of the product is the reward because he receives enjoyment from the publics enjoyment of his work. Tarson expressed his a desire to disprove the lyrics of John Mellencamp's song, "Crumblin' Down" by being a loving, trustworthy person who produces art that people can enjoy. This is the legacy that he hopes to leave with people who purchase his art.
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Diagnostic Criteria for PTSD:

Many individuals do not understand the reason many individuals can go through similar events, yet they are not diagnosed with PTSD. Here are the criteria used by mental health professionals for a diagnosis of PTSD. 1. Exposure to an extreme traumatic stressor. Individuals response to the experience involves intense fear, helplessness, or horror. 2. Persistent re-experiencing of the traumatic event. 3. Persistent avoidance of those things that are associated with the trauma. 4. A numbing of general responsiveness. 5. Persistent symptoms of increased arousal. 6. Symptoms must be present for more than one month. 7. Disturbance has to cause what mental health professionals consider as being clinically significant distress or impairment in different areas of functioning (i.e. social, occupational, etc.)

(continued from pg. 2) Research studies on the use of art therapy in assisting veterans to cope with PTSD suggest that this therapeutic approach yielded the greatest benefits when compared to other approaches. Some findings suggest that the pleasurable distraction found in artistic expression provided veterans with the ability to tolerate war-zone content without negative short-term side effects. There are some research findings that also indicate that art therapy is more effective in working with this population than verbal therapy. One particular study provided information on those veterans suffering from combat-related PTSD who were awakened by nightmares. This study compared the drawing tasks and writing tasks of members of this population. They found that those individuals who performed drawing tasks experienced fewer to less severe nightmares when compared to those individuals who performed writing tasks. Tarson shares that although he enjoys reading and philosophy, he does not consider himself as an academic nor education as the sole means for pursuing success. He indicates that he does not believe that everyone is made to go to college. Tarson believes that people should find out what they are good at and develop that skill. He advises that the pursuit of skill development will take you places in life. The multiple deployments have provided SSgt. Mack with an introspective view to his personal spiritual development. A retrospective look at his life experience caused him to understand that although his life got harder with age, he knows that God is always with him. He has seen fellow My spirituality is the basis of me not going the route of suicide. I believe that we are given gifts and talents and that we should use them because we will reap what we sow. His experiences caused him to realize that he should live life moment by moment and be grateful and thankful of all that he does have in life. He is motivated to get something out of life because God gave us life so that we can prosper in that life. Though financial prosperity is welcomed, SSgt. Mack indicates that his artistic expression is also a means of spiritual and personal expression. He desires to produce meaningful artwork that coincides with his belief system. I have had requests for woodcarvings of material that does not fall in line with what I believe, however, I learned I must go the route that brings peace.
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I view my art as a legacy that I hope to leave for my children.

Tarson Mack

In a survey conducted by the American Art Therapy Association (AATA), their research committee provided seven key primary therapeutic mechanisms for treating clients with PTSD. **(Collie, Backos, & Malchiodi, 2006) 1. Reconsolidation of memories Takes a non-verbal approach to creating a clear narrative of the traumatic event from the incoherent, fragmented memories. The integration process is external providing the individual with control over how they experience the memories. This process causes the individual to transform the event from an active experience that is in the present to a passive experience that is part of the individuals history. 2. Progressive exposure It is the practice of symbolic exposure through artistic expression. Whatever experiences, objects, or emotions that are being avoided is used to address the avoidance symptoms that is characteristic of PTSD. This method of non-verbal exposure is found to be less threatening to the client as the therapist controls the level of overt symbolism that is used during therapy. 3. Externalization Art therapy is an external method of allowing individuals to separate themself from the problem and make it easy for them to address the issue. The individual is able to become the observer who is able to look at what is produced with some emotional distance. This process provides the art therapist and the client the ability to create a clear narrative of the trauma. The client is able to begin to integrate the traumatic experience into their personal history. 4. Reduction of arousal The relaxing, meditative nature of artistic expression can act as a change agent in the individuals level of arousal. This addresses the hyperarousal symptomatology outlined in the characteristics of PTSD. 5. Reactivation of positive emotion Art therapy is believed to promote the awakening of emotions through artistic expression, which is the reason that it can be ideal for addressing the emotional numbness that is experienced by clients with PTSD. Creating art can be a pleasurable experience for the client especially when there is an interest by others. This helps the therapeutic process as positive emotions are elicited and a rewarddriven motivation to participate in the creative process. 6. Enhancement of emotional self-efficacy Emotional self-efficacy involves the ability of an individual to be assured in their ability to effectively and appropriately express their emotions. Participants in artistic expression build their confidence as they learn of their ability to control the expression of emotions in such a way that is not overwhelming to themselves or to others. 7. Improved self-esteem Participants of group art therapy can experience an increase in self-esteem as they openly express their traumatic experiences through artistic expression. The transparency in a non-judgmental environment creates an environment for growth, as members remain supportive of each other.
**Collie, K., Backos, A., & Malchiodi, C. (2006). Art therapy for combat-related PTSD: Recommendations for research and practice. Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, 23:4, 157-164.

Clinical Approaches to PTSD from an Art Therapy Perspective

For More Information:

To learn more about Tarson Mack, his art, or speaking engagements you may contact him at:

Sgt Macks Wood Sign Studio Giving Gifts A Lift (254) 220-1795 Tarson.Mack@us.army.mil

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