Been Lurking, Ex Brit Mil, Ex Bosnia

[Anglesachse]

Jibby cocker, Welcome to our dysfunctional family.

You are in the right place here, as the guys have said, you`ve see enough, you fit right in here mate. Drag up a pew and rest a while, the road ahead is bumpy at best, but there are enough of us on it to give you a helping hand.

Myself, Lee and Ned are all brits aswell. Tours of NI, Bosnia, Gulf and Afghan beteween us, we all know where you are coming from.

Hang tough brother

 

[Jibby]

Cheers mate. It does help. You know how it is.

Went for CBT session today, have avoided actually tackling the PTSD up to now in those sessions. It all started a bit fast for me; my local NHS have embraced the policy where ex-military jump the (6 month?) waiting list for mental health support, so from breaking down in GP office before Christmas and coming out with it I was referred and had an assessment with the mental health team within a week.

Great policy (but to turn a postitive in to a personal negative as you do), it was just too quick for me. I didn't know this counsellor from Adam, but all of a sudden went from my own STFU pill since 95 to all of a sudden talking to strangers was too much. Trust etc. To be fair to the guy he's aware and very patient (after 4 mnths!) and ensures I am aware there is a 'Combat Stress' referral if I want it, or alternative therapist in their team, but told him today need to (or must be semi ready) to grip it and lets get it started. Shitting myself as he explained the ins and outs. But don't want to start on a new person, because after 8/9 sessions with this guy feel a bit safer (though he is not ex-squaddie or anything in uniform). Plus the NHS budget doesn't provide for unlimited sessions while I mince around thinking will I or won't I. :)

Back to Jimmy's insight above; it seems what he calls the process of walk through, jump back to safe haven in the head is not the same as what you called brainspotting. He called it 'reliving'. Haven't googled it, but am about to. Don't think it's advanced to brainspotting but just talking through and jumping back. So not sure, but sod it. We'll see.

 

[Ned]

If you don't mind telling about it (walk through) once you've tried it, I'd be interested.
Hope it turns out useful.

 

[Jibby]

No worries, will do. Next session next Weds.

 

[Anglesachse]

Jibby mucker, I went through 4 therapist and 3 clinics before I got to a clinic I was willing to stay in and a Therapist I could talk to. All civvie, as I still live in Germany, so no Military what so ever, nearest guy was a Firefighter who had depression, he hadn`t even seen a fatality.

Spent 9 months in the clinic and have just finished 2 and a half years of once a week therapie with a lass. And I am still trying new stuff, anything that helps. Sure it gets better, but it doesn`t go away so you are allways adjusting.

It takes time mate, and a good therapist will not put you on the spot, they should be walking around the edges, just nudging you, so that when you a ready, you can talk at your speed.

 

[Jibby]

Thanks, and yeah am guessing this is just beginning of next stage of long journey. Nobody has magic wand/pill to make it all go away I guess (if they did we wouldn't be here talking!). Down to me only to grip it with support.

Therapist seems a switched on guy so far, though not started on meat of problem yet, and to be fair he has not put any pressure on me. Just both aware that NHS does have a limit of free service, already pushed past the 8 sessions you initially get and his bosses have extended it out to 16 (nice of them :) ). Eventually may have to pay...

He does mention I can be referred to 'combat stress' if I want, so will see how it goes. Has anyone here had experience of them? Therapist seems to rate them and reminds me it is an option.

 

[Anglesachse]

Not to up to speed with the UK system these days, what with still living in Germany, but if you need to pick up any bills yourself then seriously think about getting a private insurance set up, something that covers a few things that will pop up in the future. Not just the therapie side.
No idea what something like that cost in the UK but out here I have one for all the Alternative Medicine stuff I do, and it only cost`s me 5€ a month. I am usually there at least once every 2 month`s and have bills in the region of 40-60€ regulary. I then pay 20% and the insurance covers the other 80% so it is allways a viable option.

As for "Combat stress" I haven`t had any doings with them, but I reckon Ned and Lee should be able to point you in the right direction, or at least give you a heads up on stuff in blighty

On a more sidelined approach, have you thought about getting into a clinic? out here if there are serious signs of not getting to grips with life, violence and suicidal tendencies, getting in one is a matter of just banging on the door and screaming load enough, Which will get you on average 6 weeks crash pad and a bit of therapie, which can lead to better therapies and such. maybe another option.

 

[Jibby]

Hmm, few things to consider. Not sure on insurance, do they do cover for pre-existing conditions etc? Might be worth a look though. Private counselling is ridiculous cost.

Residential not really an option for own head, feel enough guilt on how much missus carries the can for all (house, kids etc) as it is, might be counter-productive on me, but in ideal world (no offence to missus) would love to really. Really grip it.

Thanks again Anglesachse.

 

[Lee C]

As Anglesache said mate as a "VET" you will get some kind of assitance especially at Combatstress but they wont touch serving soldiers. Haig Housing are doing alot for soldiers getting out cant see why they woudnt deal you but you can only try mate.Im am still serving and probabley got the best angle on anything happening and there are few freebies in the system for time away etc.Anything else you dont want to speak about in public, me or one of the others will give advice where we can;)

 

[Anglesachse]

.........insurance, do they do cover for pre-existing conditions etc? Might be worth a look though. Private counselling is ridiculous cost..................Thanks again Anglesachse.

Out here, so long as I don`t have it in my Health record they can`t ban it from my insurance, so they pick up the tab for the Alternative, Traditional Medicine without any gripes.

However, as I am now Certified with PTSD, BPO and Depresion if anything says such on the bills I have to pick up the tab myself so I get it all worded differently on the bills so they accept them aswell.

 

[Jibby]

Thanks Lee/Angle. I'm learning more each day. Like some weight off shoulders.

 

[Lee C]

Were all here to help each other, where and when we can ;)