Emerg Services Anyone Else Have Similar Experience: Shamed For Noncombat Ptsd.

[OEF/OIF Vet]

Anyone one else out there with PTSD from Basic Training due to extreme bodily harm, near death experie...

How badly were you hurt in basic training? How long were you in the military? I strongly believe you should get rid of any firearms currently in your possession. I was pretty alarmed when you said that you almost "shot someone to death."

 

[A concerned spouse]

It's a known fact that more people are diagnosed with non combat PTSD. But it's not published like combat PTSD. Probably because there is a war going on and many soldiers are coming home with PTSD. The good thing about that is there is much more awareness because of it. I have a son with combat PTSD and a husband with non combat PTSD. Trauma is trauma. But don't be ashamed, it's the lack of people's knowledge. Educate them!

 

[Truthful_Whispers]

PTSD is caused by many reasons. There is nothing to be ashamed of. The illness has existed since humanity's dawn, but has more recently come to light in the eyes of the general public much more because of war veteran's returning from the middle east. Think of how many WWI, WWII, Korean War,Vietnam Veterans, and others suffered and are suffering from ptsd, and then it was only known as "shell shock". Thankfully, the media over the last decade or so has really brought attention to this illness--both military and civilian related. Almost all of ptsd is caused by the actions of other humans--whether trying to kill you in war, through assault/abuse, or you being personal witness to an atrocity committed--willingly or unwillingly--by our own "species". Granted, some ptsd is caused by natural and other events, such as weather disasters, death in the family, etc. But, that is more rare. Whatever reason you may have it, I say "own it". Accept it as being a part of who you are, and live with it, day by day, as best you can. Meaning, you have earned your stripes from simply having it, have been and are going through hell, and have just as much right to express your feelings concerning the disease as anyone else.

 

[OEF/OIF Vet]

It's a known fact that more people are diagnosed with non combat PTSD. But it's not publishe...

I don't doubt that he has PTSD. I do doubt that he'll find any sympathy from the VA and other veterans with multiple tours in Afghanistan and Iraq(such as myself).

With the VA backed up with so many returning veterans from overseas, it's going to be hard for them to take him seriously when he's claiming PTSD from basic training, and even harder if he didn't complete basic training.

I feel bad that he is in the position that he's in. It sounded as if most of his frustration is with the VA and the government. I'm seriously considering flagging his first comment due to the fact that he said "I almost shot someone to death" and how he expressed his hatred towards the government, VA, and whatever else he hated. It's hard enough as it is to get into the VA with a non combat MOS, even with multiple deployments! Unfortunately I don't think he's going to get any treatment from the VA.

 

[Stickler]

@OEF/OIF Vet:
It's better to express anger than to act on it, right?
He didn't act. That's important.

@ OP, the danger of reacting in irrational rage probably outweighs the danger of going out unarmed. I say that as someone who goes unarmed in places where robbery is a distinct possibility...for EXACTLY that reason.

...This year I was ready to take a tire iron to someone's car because they cut in front of me in traffic. Five minutes later I was shaking in fear of what I'd very nearly done. Not going to carry.

@ OP: talking about how I got my PTSD would either (a) squick most people out or (b) sexually titillate them.
I've been blamed for it, too.

So I keep it bottled. This reinforces distance from people. This is a problem. I feel like it's too disgusting to mention and therefore I am too disgusting to mention as well somehow...

The best advice about disclosing? Talk about it to someone who has earned the right to hear your story. Not just any schmuck. Not someone who's going to mock you, because f*ck that. Not some macho-ass dickhead.

How you got your PTSD is still the most f*cked up thing that happened to you. If they can't hear the details without judgment, don't tell them. None of their damn business how you got PTSD.

 

[Gadgie]

Someone mentioned that there is no difference between combat PTSD or non combat, trauma is trauma no matter where, or what, it's bad news!

Mine is a combination of both, but that to me doesn't matter, what does matter is the fact that I'm stuck with it, and believe me, if there was a pill that could get rid of it, I would sell everything I own, just to get it.

 

[Truthful_Whispers]

PTSD is PTSD. Doesn't matter how, where, or why you developed it. It all stinks like fartjuice.

 

[RavenGirl]

@Gadgie I agree with you. Doesn't matter how you got PTSD, after all this isn't a contest for my PTSD is worse than your PTSD. We all are human and we all feel pain. @wispering_Truth, Yes, if someone gave me a pill and said take this and you'll be cured! I'd take it ASAP. If only that were a possibility. I just thank god people here are understanding of each other and don't tear each other down but support each other instead. :happy:

 

[Truthful_Whispers]

@Gadgie I agree with you. Doesn't matter how you got PTSD, after all this isn't...

We're all FUBAR. Just the way it is. You are in good company. ;)

 

[Gadgie]

Aye! FUBAR is another way of putting it, it's bang on actually

 

[Big H]

It's a tough thread this, as I agree there's some stigma there in society on non combat PTSD. PTSD is PTSD, it's only the trigger that's different, we all know that. It's 18 years since my mirror broke inside, but I still require self discipline, tons of self awareness, and planning to manage.

I take life humbly, not from a faith perspective, being thankful that I can be a good father, try at being a good husband, always filtering life's bullshit.

Thanks guys, massive respect

 

[Kodah]

I don't doubt that he has PTSD. I do doubt that he'll find any sympathy from the VA and other vetera...

I wonder why vets with non-combat PTSD don't seek help from the VA?