I've had flashbacks before, but I'm not even sure I understand the term dissociate? I've heard it used in this forum like a common placed word and I don't even know what it means. I get the feeling that people throw this word around too frequently and are also in the same boat I'm in, not only...
I had a breakthrough in therapy today... I harbored a lot of guilt and shame for traumatic events in my life. I did so because I somehow felt that by punishing myself I was honoring those who were lost. I did so because doing so was the last thing that made me feel human. I did so because...
That is the question... It has come apparently obvious to me that I'm not going to be able to hide my diagnosis much longer. As stated in another thread I was approved for a service dog because of several reasons (PTSD, anxiety, co-dependency, adverse physical problems with medications).
My...
I'm trying not to make this about me (because it's not), but yesterday a friend of mine from the Corps committed suicide. I really don't know how to process this. I was suppose to be in therapy today, but my daughter is home for a dental appointment. I saw the news this morning on my Facebook...
To those of you that I have become close with over the last 3 - 3 1/2 years I am afraid to say that I will be leaving the forum permanently. My wife has brought to my attention that I spend incredibly way too much time on here and it is ripping my family apart. It is the main reason my 10 year...
I'm really struggling today with this life shit! My wife is pissed off at me for some ungodly reason my oldest daughter is laying into me with that "you don't love me" crap and I can't even find solace in my normal escapes. My trauma is at the forefront of my mind and it doesn't seem like this...
My question... is this possible? I found a couple threads on the subject, but they were locked and I'm not able to post exactly what I'm experiencing; that's the reason for starting a completely new thread. For the most part what I was reading in those threads sounded like psychosis, but what...
I have been on several medications to help mitigate the symptoms of anxiety. When my doctors finally got to diazepam as a last resort, I decided there had to be a better way to deal with my symptoms. This is when I was introduced to acceptance and commitment therapy ACT. I am proud to say I...
It was proposed in group today that rigid patterns in thinking (specifically regarding shame) were instilled in us from early childhood on. I at first rejected this idea saying that I lived a fairly "normal" childhood and my shame didn't come until my trauma in adulthood. My shame was a result...
I'm afraid I've spread myself way too thin. I've been giving myself to everyone but me. I don't think there is much more left of me. Everything just seems really hopeless right now, like I'll never climb out of this. I'm not really sure where to go from here, but the only way I can see is...
I brought this up in the chat 2 days ago, and it came up in another thread today (which is what reminded me to post this).
The basis behind the 5 love languages is that every person speaks a different language and if you and your partner are speaking a different language from one another you...
I received an interesting and tempting job offer, but I'm having trouble weighing out the pro's and con's. I'm a medically retired Marine with 2 combat tours to Al Anbar province Iraq. I recently received a job opportunity to work for a friend of mine in the private security sector of Iraq...
Well... in one week my wife and I will be off to Alaska for a marriage enrichment seminar hosted by a bunch of retired military chaplains. We've never been to Alaska before, so we are both looking forward to this trip. While we're there we will be taking part in different marriage enrichment...
My T explained the CBT triad to me yesterday, but she kept referring to it as "Becks Triad". Me being an ex-EMT this ground my gears as I know what Becks Triad is. Do I let that slide as a simple mistake or do I demand more from a "MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL"?
For those that don't know Becks Triad is...
so... I just got a call the other day from the VA (department of compensation & pension) apparently I am do for a re-evaluation for my PTSD. It has only been 1 1/2 years since I ended active service. I was under the impression that my re-eval wouldn't happen for 5 years. Are they trying to...
Military vets please watch the short 13 minute video in the above link and give me your feedback. I watched this video today in group and it shed some light on something I didn't know how to put into words before I saw this video. This is not to discredit combat trauma (as I suffer from combat...
The Angel's breath is cold and silent
It cut's my flesh like razor wire
Then fades away on the distant horizon
And the pain that's left is my desire
It tears my body limb from limb
Pulling at my malignant heart
Any sign of hope has gotten dim
Any thoughts of you just fell apart
And...
I am a U.S. Marine not a Soldier, but a friend of mine sent me this story and I found it very inspiring and wanted to share it. It made me realize I am not in this fight alone and it has prompted me to reach out to help my brothers who are in this fight with me. I hope someone will find it as...
For those of you that have read my posts, you know I have been doing in vivo hierarchy to battle my fear of crowds. I have done very well and have attended some very large venues (hockey games, Disney on ice, the circus, and several trips to Disney World). I started small, like just taking my...
I am in a co dependent relationship with my youngest daughter. She is 5 and handicapped. I think that is the reason I allow her to cling to me (because I feel needed). I am at a point in my life where PTSD has caused me to lose my career and I am feeling next to useless except when she needs...
I am in a padded white room; all is still, all is silent. I am very old; I have a long white beard down to my chest. I am dressed in all white robes. There is nothing in the room except for a window with a dense fog rolling from it. Curious, I approach the window. I am horrified when I come...
I'm in the VA health care system, so what they provide is limited. I've already expressed to my doctor (psychiatrist) that group just isn't working for me, but there is no other real options. I need to continue to seek treatment otherwise I risk losing my VA benefits (which is B.S. but it's...
In the wake of returning home from war I have found myself engaging in many self destructive behaviors. War was like no high I have ever experienced before, and I'm having trouble filling the void. When I'm not engaging in the above activities, I feel like an empty shell. You can only imagine...
Through "In Vivo Hierarchy" my agoraphobia has gotten better. I still have the occasional panic attack, but for the most part I am able to go into restaurants, stores, shopping malls, etc... I am even taking the kids to Disney today (yeah me); This isn't a thread to pat myself on the back...