Does This Bother Anyone Else?

[Silver.]

My brother in law has combat ptsd, I have ptsd from several incidents that happened right on top of each other in 1996. He knows my history because he married my sister. I think he never understood me until he got out of the military. People that know "my history" easily understand the ptsd. People I talk to now (therapist) has only an inch of reason for the ptsd because I chose not to disclose it. (so much for getting the most out of therapy...I know, I know)

Here in New England, mental illness of any kind just isn't really discussed, from either standpoint. Which is a shame. So I cannot say if I am awashed with "too much combat ptsd" information because people hide it here. (and of course, I too hide the ptsd and the reasons). I guess it just goes to show how much farther we need to come to acceptance.
I can see your standpoint though, I think total awareness would help us all move forward to acceptance. x

 

[anthony]

it just seems like there needs to be better public education

Yes, yes there does. I'm a combat veteran, and it took me only a few months to begin seeing just how small veterans are in the scheme of PTSD. The focus is purely because they're a single large statistical group that they can study, have access to, have ongoing access to. You can't get what they get from veterans grouped together in one location, in civilian land. Civilian studies are often very small, for this very reason.

 

[Acro Amazon Warriou]

Just wondering if anyone else here is even a little bothered by how closely linked PTSD is to combat & ve...

For Sure, it bothers me as well. I feel like PTSD in non-military population isn't taken as seriously, therefore it is difficult to gain understanding from others. I had PTSD of 8 years without realizing what to call this cycle of re-experiencing, depression, panic, dissociation, trigger points.. And I myself even had a hard time accepting the fact, because even I bought into the notion that "PTSD is for soldiers." Most PTSD is not caused by anything military-related, and because this fact is not well known or understood, it leads to a lot of people suffering in silence being ridiculed for "not getting over it," and much less likely to seek help. As if veterans are "allowed" to be scarred by trauma, but everyone else is required to "get over it," whatever the hell that's supposed to mean... I'm sure this bothers many more people as well- you are certainly not alone in this!

 

[lostforgottensoul]

There just needs to be more education. And the stigma of all mental disorders lifted. We are not in the 1800s and mental illness should not be frown on like something is wrong with us but that something happened to us.

After Robin Williams's suicide, Dr Drew was on tv talking about depression and I was like "yes, finally!" But it quickly became silent and stigmatized again.

People fear what they dont understand. They need to understand.

 

[Deleted member 34535]

Just wondering if anyone else here is even a little bothered by how closely linked PTSD is to combat & ve...

It doesn't bother me at all that Vets get recognition and help for their PTSD. They freely volunteer to help protect us and keep us free so all of us can do what we are doing now. I don't like how society looks at all of us with our varied mental health issues. But I think the solution for this rests with all of us with our issues. I am not ashamed whatsoever that I have multiple mental health issues. I freely share what I am going through to those that I deem to be worth sharing my story. Maybe if people knew what we were going through and how we were making progress through our hard work, then just maybe some of the walls of ignorance would crumble. We all have poop. Those of us who are willing to admit it are far and away ahead of the game than those who think their poop smells like roses!!

 

[EmmaOwl]

This thread is getting to me....

Maybe it's just me.

First, @Dodge, it's not just you. I agree with these and many other statements on these messages - I've posted some highlights that affect me pretty strongly at the end of this post - but I'll start out by saying: I have a story involving two great traumas ('great' here meaning 'massive', not 'very good :P - gotta laugh so I don't cry). One from some times when I was a small child. One in a large public disaster.

Do you think I say a word about childhood problems? No, no, no. No way. Particularly because my much-older brother was involved.I was diagnosed with PTSD and Bipolar II and I did suffer, but I was getting by, succeeding in some sort of linear path in fits and starts, and going from there - despite a horrible therapist, and a support that did withdraw over those years.

But after trauma number two happened, I struggled more. And more. And finally ended up in the hospital for my own safety. Blah blah. THAT became my story. I don't mention my toddlerhood, which caused fairly extreme (but always hidden) high school and college struggles. Trauma number TWO is my "go-to" answer. I can even be vague. I have PTSD. Oh, well, you know, I'm from New York.... Oh, yeah, this 'thing' happened 16 years ago... - I know this would not work in many places, but it does where I currently live, a place relatively nearby.

But, if someone doesn't get it, I go, "September? 11th?" and I have a lot of trouble stating the year but usually people shut up. Even though I'm not military nor was I any kind of emergency worker, just being there is like a code word and people hush. Those are the easiest words for me to say. People watched it on tv; most don't want to know any more gory details than they do already. Or at least there is an air of respect. THAT is what hurts me. Why do I get respect - for being in the wrong place at the wrong time? What, for happening to survive when others didn't?

So it's one thing for military to get respect (combat or not - just joining is enough to earn the thanks of civilians). But for me, this event was absolutely random. Wrong place wrong time. I wasn't "noble" for surviving. I . There was lots of heroism involved... So, ok, I say this, but at the same time I know it is wrong. There's was lots of heroism involved, but I sure didn't do anything heroic. I hate myself for it.

At the same time, it's too difficult for me to say the things that happened to me in toddlerhood. I did already have But I was coping. I think there's a pretty good chance I would have been at least "okay" if I did not already suffer from childhood PTSD.

I bring this up once in a while because I feel guilty, like I am denying part of myself...and I am not helping to ease the stigma of child abuse. I could. I could say "This is me, I had PTSD to begin with, and now I have it worse." But I never say that.

This is such a strong - and terrible! cultural issue - why do I get to claim this more respectable thing? Why is it WORSE to be hurt as a baby girl, and RESPECTABLE for a civilian who lives through mass violence or terrorist attacks??

I think it's easier for *others* to think about the disaster they watched on tv. They don't want to hear some stomach-churning tale of a family that seemed fine out the outside, BUT is abusive from the inside. No, those are relegated to things like: "Soap Net TV movie at 11!"

I feel guilty for not acknowledging childhood abuse... like I am not taking the opportunity of educating others, that it is NOT shameful to suffer through any kind of childhood trauma, and particularly the part about suffering from PTSD and then going through more trauma can make a person much more vulnerable. I think that's a message that should be known more widely. But I'm unable to do it. Maybe some day I will be strong enough to write this, to say it someplace other than the relative anonymity of mptsd.com. I hope so.

Sorry this is so long but I still want to acknowledge some of what others have posted here, very bravely!, a selection of things from these threads that truly resonated with me:

Military is easy to understand and accept. People do Not want to be reminded that nasty things happen behind closed doors at home.

Most people don't want their trauma splashed all over the Everywhere, and they have a legal right to privacy. Soldiers/sailors/Marines do NOT have constitutional rights to privacy

People really really do not want to know WHY us not military folks have PTSD....

I think for vets, its a bit "ok i get why"

If PTSD's go to cause was rape, nobody would admit to having PTSD.

That is so sad but I think you are right. The soldiers can claim their PTSD because they got it from protecting us.

they're a single large statistical group that they can study, have access to, have ongoing access to. You can't get what they get from veterans grouped together in one location, in civilian land.

 

[EmmaOwl]

Dr Drew was on tv talking about depression and I was like "yes, finally!"

I miss Dr. Drew. I used to listen to his radio show "Loveline" (this was before he showed up on tv). It actually helped me deal with part of my trauma. I didn't feel so alone, with countless teens-and-20s girls calling in. He was so comforting! :)

 

[Freedomfighter]

Just wondering if anyone else here is even a little bothered by how closely linked PTSD is to combat & ve...

Agreed, that does really annoy me too. There are so many dangerous situations in which a victim's life is threatened that can cause PTSD. It is very unfortunate that most interest should be directed towards soldiers.
I think there needs to be much more awareness of how so many other life threatening situations can cause this disease.