Thanks for the input. Not what I wanted to here but the truth is. So thanks for being honest. I got lots of thinking to do. It just sucks because I hit 19 years this past Saturday. I know I have to get out to make that lifestyle change I'm so close I also want to get my retirement benefits. What to do???
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Combat PTSD Cup
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Zipperhead
Diamond Member
They accomidated me in the Canadian Army. Gave me a job I could do, and was even good at for my last 3 years. It was to accomidate the physical injuries though, not the PTSD. So maybe the American Army can find a place for you for 1 year. Cheering for you Baked,
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anthony
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I'm sure there is a way that you can drag yourself out for a year within the military, as long as you're still passing physical tests... there are always methods to delay discharges. I was able to drag mine out beyond my 10 year mark so I got my long service... with help from a couple of respectable superiors who had some morals to not just piss on me and forget about my past efforts, records and commendations up until PTSD hit me.
Thanks Anthony. Looks like I'll be able to drag it out. Yesterday I was notified that I'll be going to some 3 week program at Walter Reed, then to a Warrior Transition Unit in Ft Sam Houston, Texas for 6-12 months. Guess that's a good start. I will have 20 in on October 1, 2012. I'm determined to get better to the point I can get off these meds and make a decision as a used to without fear of making the wrong one. Off the meds and normal again...I have hope. Even my wife is starting to get my symptoms. I heard that normally happens to the ones closest to us; is that true??? These damn mood swings piss me off!!!
My lass would agree. Part of the problem is that they're trying to anticipate the things that trigger us. Sometimes I can be totally state green & relaxed, and she's wound up tight imagining that things have/are about to set me off.
It's doubly hard because they just don't know and have to guess. When I remember I try to let her know how it's going, little sitreps so she's not in the dark.
Good that you've got time to think. I agree with Anthony, see if you can find a good old-school officer or two, who respect soldiers, not pie-charts.
You said it: "Pie-charts" or Power Point, schematics, graphs and so forth..... That shit drives me crazy!!! Seems like everyone at the top keep coming up with all these glorious plans to make things better and the Soldiers at the bottom are screaming for what they really need. Worst part, at my rank, I'm in that political realm now and I hate it!!! It's like talking to a wall. Good to know there's still down-to-earth thinkers out there. If we have a problem with our weapon in the fight we don't break out the field manual....we figure it out or die! Soldiers need to practice the nuts and bolts not a glorious plan on how to stack the nuts and bolts. Sorry I'm rambling on, this frustrates me so damn much!
You are not rambling mate, just expressing the same exasperation I've had. But now I train troops, all hands-on and not a Gant chart in sight.
Funny, but my model is always the basic weapon-training lesson. And yes, us down-to-earth thinkers are all that's holding it together.
Put the boot in up the management chain, say your piece, I hope someone listens...
Funny, but my model is always the basic weapon-training lesson. And yes, us down-to-earth thinkers are all that's holding it together.
Put the boot in up the management chain, say your piece, I hope someone listens...
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anthony
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Excellent to hear that you will make your 20 and benefits.
Yes, it is true, and its called Secondary wounding, which can turn into Secondary PTSD in worst cases where the original person with PTSD is emotionally and or physically abusive with partners and kids. They get PTSD, but the name for how they get it is called Secondary PTSD, being via abuse from someone with PTSD.
It is very normal for partners to obtain symptoms, but it does usually end at just symptoms and they often do need to get their own counselling to ensure they look after themselves, as they usually obtain symptoms when they become too focused on the person with PTSD. In other words, it consumes them in worry and so forth, that they become depressed, moody, they begin to walk on egg shells, for a better term.
You both have to talk about this, discuss it, and ensure that your partner knows they're not at fault and that they take care of themselves first and foremost, because if you both go down, then the relationship goes down.
Anglesachse
Diamond Member
Before I was diagnosed my cup was most definatly at the 99% full mark every day, any thing would set me off and I would react with such violence it used to scare the shit out of me, when someone explained to me afterwards what had happened.
I beat the crap out of 22 year old in McDonalds because he pushed past me to get to the toilet. I rammed a tailgater of the road with my Defender and servealy hurt 1 of the occupants, (he was dangerously close though). I nearly stabbed a workcollege with a screwdriver for not putting tools back in my toolbox in the workshop. knocked a cyclist of his bike into the road into oncoming traffic, because he wanted to ride pass me on the pavement, instead of riding on the road. Nearly shot a German Copper (after having disarmed him of his own weapon) who was sent out with 3 others to restrain me so I wouldn`t harm myself, or others afer a failed suicide attempt, and when I got to the clinic, I nearly threw a Fireman from a first floor window, for bugging me with his meanial, "I lost a mate in a fire" shit. WTF! I was never the scrapper at school, I was to fit and a fast runner, never had to fight, I just out run the b*stards :cool:
After 9 months in 2 clinics I was definatly down to the 50% if not lower. but then I was in a totaly enclosed enviroment. loads of drugs and daily talks to therapists and groups. Learnt the basics to CBT, and started using the skills I had learnt. But then I think (unfortunatly) 9 Months can`t replace 10 years of conditioning, plus a childhood of military life.
Today I am no long at that 50%, I realy do need a refresher as the skills I learnt get used less and less. Presently I would say I am at the 65% on a good day, the last couple of weeks I am on overload and probably at about 85%. Not good
I beat the crap out of 22 year old in McDonalds because he pushed past me to get to the toilet. I rammed a tailgater of the road with my Defender and servealy hurt 1 of the occupants, (he was dangerously close though). I nearly stabbed a workcollege with a screwdriver for not putting tools back in my toolbox in the workshop. knocked a cyclist of his bike into the road into oncoming traffic, because he wanted to ride pass me on the pavement, instead of riding on the road. Nearly shot a German Copper (after having disarmed him of his own weapon) who was sent out with 3 others to restrain me so I wouldn`t harm myself, or others afer a failed suicide attempt, and when I got to the clinic, I nearly threw a Fireman from a first floor window, for bugging me with his meanial, "I lost a mate in a fire" shit. WTF! I was never the scrapper at school, I was to fit and a fast runner, never had to fight, I just out run the b*stards :cool:
After 9 months in 2 clinics I was definatly down to the 50% if not lower. but then I was in a totaly enclosed enviroment. loads of drugs and daily talks to therapists and groups. Learnt the basics to CBT, and started using the skills I had learnt. But then I think (unfortunatly) 9 Months can`t replace 10 years of conditioning, plus a childhood of military life.
Today I am no long at that 50%, I realy do need a refresher as the skills I learnt get used less and less. Presently I would say I am at the 65% on a good day, the last couple of weeks I am on overload and probably at about 85%. Not good
So how do these forms of therap actually turn the negative stigma from these events. Bombs and dead friend are inherently negative. Ive never been one to feel better about talking about feelings or a bad day. I'm quite concerned about what these treatments are specifically. Not interested in meds. Had sleeping pills for a month. It was to easy. If I was pissed off or didn't want to deal with shit take a couple and pass out. Ya, docs said come back for refills anytime....genius.
I will try and explain it for you.
When we go into combat, or experience death and the horrors of war, we never get the chance to process it due to life in a combat zone. Some of us never sleep the night through whether it be because of taking turns on watch or just because of where we are sleeping. And you see, sleeping and particularly REM sleep is the bodies time to process our daily input. So if you can imagine 6 - 12 months in a combat zone, there is a shit load of stuff unprocessed, especially painful memories.
Generally after a month or two of being home we have processed the majority of stuff, but some of it is way too nasty so it stays in the forefront of our mind and is left unprocessed. Therefore we experience flashbacks, and certain things trigger the painful memories and we can have nightmares.
Therapy helps deal with that. Exposure therapy is one name branded around, but there are so many. Basically by talking about it and talking through the incident, we can eventually process it. But one incident could take months of therapy. In the interim though, the therapist can help us deal with the symptoms of PTSD itself.
Now medication. I am not talking about sleeping tablets, all they really do is alter our consciousness, they don't really help with sleep, just like alcohol. The medication that gets prescribed helps your mind relax so the therapist can do their job.
The problem with all of these is that it can sometimes take a while to find the right combination, then again you could be lucky and find the right therapist and get the right medication straight away.
Asking on this forum can help too. Ask any question in the relevant section, i.e. relationships, therapy medication, and we will give our idea's and opinion, it's how I did it.
The biggest thing Rez is that PTSD is hard work. It can get you down too, but you have to want to beat that beast.
When we go into combat, or experience death and the horrors of war, we never get the chance to process it due to life in a combat zone. Some of us never sleep the night through whether it be because of taking turns on watch or just because of where we are sleeping. And you see, sleeping and particularly REM sleep is the bodies time to process our daily input. So if you can imagine 6 - 12 months in a combat zone, there is a shit load of stuff unprocessed, especially painful memories.
Generally after a month or two of being home we have processed the majority of stuff, but some of it is way too nasty so it stays in the forefront of our mind and is left unprocessed. Therefore we experience flashbacks, and certain things trigger the painful memories and we can have nightmares.
Therapy helps deal with that. Exposure therapy is one name branded around, but there are so many. Basically by talking about it and talking through the incident, we can eventually process it. But one incident could take months of therapy. In the interim though, the therapist can help us deal with the symptoms of PTSD itself.
Now medication. I am not talking about sleeping tablets, all they really do is alter our consciousness, they don't really help with sleep, just like alcohol. The medication that gets prescribed helps your mind relax so the therapist can do their job.
The problem with all of these is that it can sometimes take a while to find the right combination, then again you could be lucky and find the right therapist and get the right medication straight away.
Asking on this forum can help too. Ask any question in the relevant section, i.e. relationships, therapy medication, and we will give our idea's and opinion, it's how I did it.
The biggest thing Rez is that PTSD is hard work. It can get you down too, but you have to want to beat that beast.
This is a great thread. I lived with PTSD for almost 40 years and didn't know why I was so f**ked up. It wasn't until just a few years ago that I knew about it and that's when I started to do research into what it was. That's when I found this place. I've learned more here than anywhere else and it's done me the most good as well.
Fighting PTSD is akin to a military operation. You've got to have a plan, put your 'troops' in proper position and execute that plan with precision, if you are to have any hope of success. For me therapy has been at the core of things, more than meds. I didn't realize till I was involved in it how much stuff I had locked away in my head. Remembering was very hard and dealing with that is super tough.
For me it's still very hard some days, but I have more good ones of late than bad. That's a good thing. I try to view it as a journey of self-discovery, trying to be a better me. I know the 'beast' is always going to be lurking about; I've accepted that and just try to continue to learn and improve. I just try to keep my view, down the trail.
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