"Feeling crazy - like we are turned inside out - is the result of the brain and body trying to overcome the stimulation of those experiences. Breathing and thought processes change, sleep is disordered and interrupted, weight fluctuates, chemicals like testosterone are released at the slightest provocation, and the personality becomes almost manic/depressive.

"Note: This is not crazy. Crazy is a diagnosable mental illness in most cases and we only expect to loss (sic) less than 1% of GWOT to this type of diagnosis. Readjustment - even the many symptoms of PTSD - is the body reacting to abnormal circumstances rather than being a systemic mental problem."

Michael Colson, the author of this blog excerpt from "Crazy, Angry, Tired - Why?" found at www.vettrauma.org, has a background that includes time as a Navy commander, public school teacher and principal, adjunct college professor, and Foreign Service officer. He holds a bachelor's degree in education, a master of arts in educational psychology and counseling, and a Ph.D. in clinical sociology and human services.

Colson is also a significantly disabled American veteran.

In his role as outreach coordinator with the Seattle Vet Center, Colson assists returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. Outside of that role, he contributes content to www.vettrauma.com as well as his own site - www.mikecolson.com.

In this content, Colson offers direct, no BS advice to soldiers and veterans through engaging film clips on subjects ranging from "Readjustment 101" to "What Resources are Available?" and blog topics that include two National Public Radio interviews - "The Spirituality of Trauma" and "Barriers to Getting Home ... All the Way Home.'"

In his "Barriers" post, he asks, "Are we crazy? Well, it sure does seem like we are at times. Our blood pressure seems to rise and lower at will, we react to things that in retrospect are very small, we shake, often sleep poorly, develop some poor habits with hygiene, communication, and relationships, and we sometimes drink more than we ought to."

In a phone conversation, Colson suggested that soldiers can find help fairly readily if they ask for it rather than self-medicating through alcohol.

"Alcohol is not a depressant until you stop drinking," Colson stated.  Consequently, those self-medicating through alcohol can find themselves caught up in a vicious cycle of trying to feel better, only to feel worse.

But, Colson adds, help can be as close as a short course of nonaddictive medications.  One might be a course of medications from the class known as selective seratonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, while another might be a sleep aid such as zolpidem (sold under the brand name Ambien) since sleep disturbance is a major complaint in readjustment.  And one last medication Colson says many veterans have found helpful for the control of nightmares - prazosin - has been showing promise in studies.

But Colson is quick to pass the buck with regard to his content helping others.

"I'm less interested in flying a flag. I just have a big mouth," he said.

"Any success I have is due to the people who handle my referrals.  These are the folks who are changing those lives."

He added, "And even more personal and to the point, this whole consortium of people" - ranging from the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs, the Veterans Administration, the Medical Hold Unit at Madigan Army Medical Center and others - "are the people who saved my life."

Mike Colson will speak at The Evergreen State College in Olympia during a Veterans Day observance event in the recital hall of the communications building.  TESC is located at 2700 Evergreen Parkway N.W. in Olympia.  For driving directions and a map of the campus, visit www.evergreen.edu.