Former Navy Corpsman/combat Medic Looking For Peace

[tho9900]

I am here looking for some answers... I have been diagnosed with PSTD by several shrinks at the VA only to be told by the former medics working there that there is no way I have it because that was my job.... It wasn't till this last visit when the doc looked at me and said "it's an infantryman's job to shoot someone, it is a policeman the same... a firefighter rushes in a burning building too late to save someone... isn't that their job?" Then I came to accept that maybe this is true...

So I am kinda coming to grips with the dual standard thing...

It sounds corny but in a way it seems death is my friend, followed me for 10 years I was in the military. I always joke the only thing they forgot to teach us in school was how to cope with it.. and I guess it's not such a joke after all.

Anyway enough about this... I am going to hang out and see what is going on here... might chime in now and then... today is a real hard day for some reason so I took one of the shrink's advice and came looking for people to talk to that understand....

 

[Zipperhead]

Welcome to the Forum. Double standards are right at home here.

 

[tho9900]

lol thanks, reading a little and kinda feeling at home already...

 

[Jimmy1]

Welcome mate, its all semantics. It is silly when you look at it.
PTSD is all about the trauma, whether you experience it yourself or witness it, it does not matter. How you guys do it all the time, I don't know. I give you full credit mate.

A lot of infantry soldiers thing its all to do with combat. They think it's all about the up close and personal pulling the trigger. Put them in your place where you see one body after another, some dead, some mortally wounded and others you save, they could not handle it.

As long as you accept it mate, thats all that matters. Its the first step in recovery.

 

[Barberian]

Welcome to the forum. (same Barberian that welcomed you on the other PTSD forum)

 

[tho9900]

thanks Jimmy... and ya that's pretty much what the doc said... whichever side you see it from combat is combat... and the dead people are still dead...and years later it's not about the ones I could save it was the ones I couldn't...

Thanks Barberian... this forum more fits me than the other... just more focused on who I am and what I was is all.. Today was a rough day and I am glad I stumbled into here...

 

[Panda]

Welcome aboard mate.

 

[nomedic1]

Welcome tho9900 hope we can help

 

[Sarg]

Corpsmen are always welcome!!!! Watched one of your Brothers working on a bunch of torn up Marines in my cargo compartment. Couldn't ask for a better guardian angel. Thank you, Brother.

Sarg

 

[Wagon]

Welcome 9900. Glad you found us.

 

[Ned]

Welcome, mate. Hope you find what you're looking for.

 

[Sludge]

Ahoy there shippy! Hang in there and enjoy the show here.