Sufferer Irish Veteran

[Ire-7736]

Hi, it was suggested that I make an introduction on this page.
My name is Richard, I am a serving British soldier and an ex Irish Army soldier.
I am a P.T.S.D. sufferer and have been for nearly a decade, I suffered for years in silence and could not understand how I became the person I am today. Thankfully I was diagnosed properly and received the right care and support from fellow veterans.
Its hard for soldiers to even admit their is a problem in the first place, the quality of mental health care for British troops is shocking and unfortunately some of my closest friends have taken their lives long after their tours have finished.
I am on this site to offer what little help I can to people that have found themselves in a similar situation.
I have found a new lease of life thanks to the support and understanding of my fellow veterans. I am not going to lie and say the problem goes away. Still have my bad days but the happy memories have have made since make up for all the the pain. I love life and I still serve as I love the job.

 

[hodge]

Welcome, Richard. You have a great attitude and I know how hard that is when you have PTSD. Kudos for your service.

 

[EveHarrington]

Welcome to the forum! :)

 

[Friday]

SemperFi

&

Welcome from a Yankee vet.

 

[Ka-9]

Warm welcome, and very glad you found support from where it really matters

 

[Richie]

I have a mate who is being MDd in February for PTSD. He reckons the support available (lack of) is disgusting and mostly civvys. His biggest frustration is that they don't understand the Army lingo. I am ex Signals and studying to put myself into the system for guys like you

 

[Crystal1234]

Hello,

@Richie: My husband has PTSD. I hope you don't mind me asking a question. I just wondered what you meant by the therapists being unable to understand your language.

Thanks a lot!

 

[Richie]

Hello,

@Richie: My husband has PTSD. I hope you don't mind me asking a question. I just wonder...

military slang and terminology. It seems that very few therapists have military experience and it creates a language barrier which is frustrating for the person telling their story because they are constantly interrupted.

 

[Ironlady]

Hi, it was suggested that I make an introduction on this page.
My name is Richard, I am a servi...

@Richard Caverly so sorry for what you've gone through but glad you are doing better and have found your way here! Welcome!

 

[Ironlady]

military slang and terminology. It seems that very few therapists have military experience and it create...

So sorry to hear that.. that must be very frustrating. :(

 

[Richie]

So sorry to hear that.. that must be very frustrating. :(

there are some therapists for the military but they are not military themselves. I aim to get qualified as a clinical psychologist so I can work with the military without frustrating the sufferers in this way. I already know that I will come across as one of the lads because I am just that and always will be

 

[Crystal1234]

@Richie: In that case it's something different.

My husband was annoyed by his first therapist's overly emotional way of talking and she did not understand the fact he was being rude in order to be friendly.

So you are going to be a therapist? That's pretty cool. I think there very few therapist of military background, are there?

I actually do have a question for a therapist or someone with theoretical knowledge of PTSD, because some women told me they think I have no understanding of PTSD, but I think I have a great understanding of PTSD because while I am not a therapist I talked to a lot of sufferers.