Research How You Can Help Improve Care For Our Returning Service Members And Others With Ptsd.

[Unhinged]

I agree. It also seems like the mojority of the public doesn't realized that PTSD isn't something you can only get from combat. Most of the information out there is geared towards the Veterans. As far as the help, there just doesn't seem to be much all the way around.

 

[mrswgc2003]

"I have noticed there is more support for veterans with PTSD, but less...help? "
My question is HOW do you get hooked up with a local support group when they only allow "new members" with a "medical diagnosis" and a referral to join? As I have stated elsewhere, we have been fighting to get into a support group here in Tennessee for over a year now, but we keep getting the same "run around". The V.A. doesn't want to give us the written diagnosis or the referral because it will cost the government in a change in my husbands disability, but we DON'T care about the disabilty, we WANT the support we can get from others who have "walked" this path before us.
That is why I am here now, at least this way I have someone I can turn to for a word of encouragement, or direction from time to time. The V.A. and the Doctor my husband has been seeing are nothing more than a "joke" at this point. He still has nightmares, he still breaks out in "cold sweats", he is still hyper-vigilent, and like some of the others I've seen post, he still withdraws. My husband is tired and discusted with the Doctor because he keeps asking the same exact questions every time he sees him. The last time we left the Dr.s office, my husband looked at me and said "I wonder what would happen if I start changing my answers. Evidently I am not giving him the answers he wants, or he would change the questions!"
Does anyone have any ideas about finding a group local that does not require all the medical fields input (short of going to a different Psychologist/Psychiatrist)?

 

[Kintsugi]

I know that this survey is really old.

I just wanted to say that this survey was poorly conceived. I understand that it is not prudent to speak to directly consult your subjects about what to ask, but if this survey was supposed to be taken by a diverse range of people, shouldn't they have made the survey applicable to a broad range of people? Just takes a little more reading and research. >.<

 

[Deleted member 487]

Unfortunately too many people view PTSD as a military issue, and anyone else is viewed as faking it. BTDT got the t-shirt.

 

[anthony]

Unfortunately too many people view PTSD as a military issue, and anyone else is viewed as faking it. BTDT got the t-shirt.

If you told me that five years ago, I would agree... now? Not even close and complete unrealistic of societies perception.

Studies target military because they are a singular group that can be quickly identified, ie. through veteran system databases. There is no central database of civilians with PTSD... so trying to find specific persons who fit a specific trauma, then actually get them to participate in being guinea pigs... very different things.

 

[Ruth09]

When it comes to military support groups for PTSD, they simply don't exist. There are plenty of .com groups that say they support PTSD veterans, but in reality they just want your money. I have sent many an email to these organizations asking for help, or trying to get information for support, but got no reply.

I'm in (military city) San Antonio. I'm surrounded by 4 military bases. I'm Army retired. There are Veteran groups, like the Foreign Legion, DAV, VFW, etc. But, hanging around a smokey bar with dirty old men telling war stories complaining how women shouldn't be in the military is not a place for me. I even went to the Vet Center seeking a group. There was nothing, just "dirty old men telling war stories". I get treated like crap at the VA, so I don't need to go looking for it at these mens groups. I hate to man-bash, but this is how I've been treated. I've got the shirt. I'm even a life time member of the DAV,...go figure.

Have you tried Meetup.com for a group? If you can't find one there, you may want to try starting one. There is a Meetup.com website. You can create a group and schedule meetup's. I'm always lurking on that site for a possible military ptsd group in San Antonio. I just don't have the desire to be in charge of anything.

I've tried starting a veteran group at a local two year college, but the veterans just weren't interested. I discovered that military student support groups have more luck at 4 year colleges.

You might start with a meetup at a coffee shop?

Good Luck,

Ruth

 

[njray]

What are they advertising/marketing for.

I am from new jersey USA to which we have a large mega base that came about from the downsizing and merging of smaller technically specific bases through out the area. We have a VA full service hospital not even close to this base and a handful of smaller VA run facilities that cater to specific needs of those that are/were in the military.

There has been a barrage of advertising for these and other va facilities looking to increase there employee pool. Especially Drs and nurses. They show these beautiful facilities, happy employees and appreciative patients...Have you been to these facilities, have you seen the moral of the staff and the patients by know fault of there own do you think they are of jumping for joy that they are the recipient of the new titanium prosthetic because the govt did not put the correct armor plating on Humvees until after his/her leg was blown off.... Oh My G.. And has anyone noticed the number of woman walking around dazelike suffering from PTSD and other shit. You should see the town and area that this big medical center is in.....The PD are afraid at night for there lives... Sad oh so sad....

Love the ads for help on TV.....The govt has really taken marketing to a whole new level.... first it was humvees all custom lettered and made to look like a hot rod not a death vehicles....... then ads on tv showing the most all american family being proud turning there kids over to a Govt department of defense that will train the kid to KILL or be KILLED first then maybe teach them a vocation that fits into the plan of the govt kill or be killed mentality. Then they almost as an afterthought they develop a marketing campaign to put bandaids on huge open wounds for all the kids that will be coming back after 10 plus years of conflicts in the middle east suffering from diseases and injuries that have been the real tragedies of war since the beginning of wars!.......WTF

For me not being in the military but having a father and mother that served and other family members that have been in it i support you the grunts not the political ass kissing beuarocrates that have no F-ing idea what real war is about. Oh but i am sure the political hacks kids will be the admins of these facilities or the suppliers to them after all why not feed off the gravy train and hardships of others and make them beg for proper mental health help caused by your inability to make competent decisions..... After all I guess you political Hippocrates and your cronies cannot make enough money on counselling as maybe just to supply places and venues for persons to talk with and about ptsd trauma events does not afford enough room for kick backs and besides that would go against the "perfect marketing message that war is cool".

Sorry for the rant but when i have to talk to a kid in a military uniform at a dunkin donuts for 45min that i do not even know about his PTSD trauma event and i cannot even grasp mine we are becoming a F-d up society in the making..... oh but wait we will put american flags on his grave come memorial day........ Gosh they should be appreciative for all we give them..or is it what we take from them.......