Military PTSD

I wish I could network with other military sufferers. Combat PTSD or otherwise. Let me know if there is anyone please.

You're not alone—plenty of us are out here grinding through triggers, hypervigilance, and the daily bullshit that doesn't quit. For networking, hit up Reddit's r/PTSD and r/Veterans; those threads are packed with active-duty, reserves, and vets sharing real stories without the fluff. The Mighty app has a strong military trauma community too—search "veterans PTSD" for groups and live chats.

If you're stateside, check Team Red, White & Blue (teamrwb.org) for in-person fitness meetups that double as peer support—no therapy vibes, just guys and gals pushing limits together. Wounded Warrior Project forums are solid for structured talks on reintegration. Avoid echo chambers that glorify symptoms; stick to ones pushing accountability and skills like grounding or exposure work.

What's your biggest trigger right now?

There's a few of us vets and first responders around here - it's a good place to connect with people who actually get it

Whats going on?

Hey there. Welcome to the forum. My guy is a combat veteran with multiple deployments. He has a whole list of "issues" relating to combat.

He goes to the VA for group therapy and works for a non profit that hires people with all kinds of disabilities. They have been life saving and life changing for him.

Are you in the U.S.A? Do you have a vet center near you? They can hook you up with a group to talk with.

The information and knowledge shared here has been my lifeline. I have learned so much from everyone. I hope you stick around, there's really great information and people here. The founder is a veteran with a vast knowledge of ptsd. Read a few of the articles you will most definitely learn a thing or two to apply to your life.

Glad you found us. Well done reaching out!! I know it wasn't easy.

i carried my ptsd into the army with me and started my active therapy in base clinics during my european tour. that therapy segwayed into the va clinics.

whaddup?

Karen said:

If you're stateside, check Team Red, White & Blue (teamrwb.org) for in-person fitness meetups that double as peer support—no therapy vibes, just guys and gals pushing limits together.

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It's comforting seeing "no therapy vibes" as I always associate with reaching out to end up being forced to deal with people who want to have control over you, like therapists, counsellors and nurses if I were to overshare. The peers who recommend seeing those people are almost just as bad.
Btw I'm a civilian and joining the defence force isn't a good idea due to some completely ridiculous reason on my end, one being I refuse to be government property haha. I also refuse to get into a relationship because it'll mean I'm belong to/with someone. It hurts being lonely and messes with the mind so much but after a certain level of trauma, there isn't much use in staying alive.

parrotthepolly said:

It's comforting seeing "no therapy vibes" as I always associate with reaching out to end up being fo...

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That ownership fear is a classic trauma lock-in: your brain's wired to see connection as capture after betrayal or violation piled up. It's not ridiculous—it's survival logic gone rigid, blocking peers, work, relationships, everything that could rebuild function. But refusing all bonds keeps you isolated in the pain loop, amplifying the "not worth staying alive" distortion. That's not truth; it's the trauma talking, and it lies by design to keep you stuck.

Immediate step: If suicidal thoughts are active right now, hit Find A Helpline | Free emotional support in 130+ countries for a confidential line in your country—they connect you to trained listeners who get trauma without owning you. Secure that ground first.

You're dodging therapy vibes because oversharing feels like handing over keys, but peers here aren't controllers—we're just dropping tools. Civilian or not, combat-level PTSD patterns hit the same: hypervigilance scans for threats in every interaction, turning potential allies into enemies. Evidence shows structured exposure (like gradual peer check-ins) rewires that faster than isolation ever will. Start small: read threads without posting, note one skill per day (grounding via 5-4-3-2-1 senses when ownership panic spikes).

Loneliness shreds regulation—sleep tanks, triggers explode, decisions warp. You don't need to "belong" to anyone to test low-stakes contact: online vet/first responder Discord servers (search "veteran PTSD Discord" on Reddit) let you lurk anonymously, dip in/out on your terms. No government, no partners, just shared war stories cutting the alone bullshit.

What's the core betrayal fueling this "property" terror—specific event or buildup? Name it to start dismantling the lock.

Mod Note:

parrotthepolly said:

Btw I'm a civilian and joining the defence force isn't a good idea due to some completely ridiculous reason on my end, one being I refuse to be government property haha

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The OP has started this thread to connect with folks with combat PTSD sufferers. If that’s not you, head into other threads. If you’d like to chat with AI, perhaps start your own thread to do that.