Frustrated starting over!

[Lost kanuck]

Frustrated starting over!

I am attending college trying to get some sort of retraining. Unfortuantly being a soldier for 11 years and having PTSD has made it very difficult. Today I blanked out on a test. I sat there and preceeded to get angry! I couldn't help myself. The frustration of not knowing what to do at the time sent me into a place I could not get out of. Now i am sitting here wondering if it is even worth it to put myself through this torture. I feel as if this is a waste of time. The inability to retain material, the lack of concentration, and the lack of motivation is killing me. I try to be positive, but that is hard to do.

 

[Jimmy1]

Hey Richie,

Mate, I can understand where your coming from. I often sit here and wonder what the rest of my life will be like and where I am going to end up.

I have no real suggestions, but someone did suggest to me that I do studies online. That way if your having a bad day there will be no anxiety if you do not retain things.
Also, online courses are more flexible and can be done part time.

I suppose really it all depends on your goals and ambitions. For now, I am just taking baby steps and taking each day as it comes.

I do feel your frustration though mate.

Jimmy

 

[crashtruckchuck]

-Richie

All the things you are feeling are all the same things I feel as well. Even though there is no real answer as to how to deal with them, like Jimmy said there are other options that are a little more easier on people like us to be able to continue to function and re-adjust to "normal" life so to speak. I have done some online courses myself and it's great. If you get frustrated or whatever, you can shrink down the screen and play a card game or something and continue when you feel up to it. Also, try and find something to do that you enjoy or have enjoyed doing. I have found something from my youth that I do to try and find to be an escape from reality, I build scale models of fire trucks. It sounds odd, but it is really theraputic and it's something that you can put down as well when the concentration just isn't there. When I get sick of that I move onto something else. Not saying that that is your thing, but all in all it's about bouncing around and trying to keep your mind from just freaking out. I feel like it helps me build up my concentration skills somewhat.

Trying to better yourself is never a waste of time. It seems like you may never get through any of this, but every day is different. It's all about taking each thing as it comes. Stay strong, come on here and vent and keep your head up. We are all vets here, so we know about discipline. Try to get into a routine that suits you and things sort themselves out alittle bit. I have taken some advice from an old Viet Nam vet I used to work with. By keeping your mind active and regimented, you develop ways to cope with anthing that comes your way. Good luck and remember that we are here for you.
-Scotty

 

[anthony]

Richie... as already stated... all very normal for PTSD. The best thing you could honestly do, is talk with your professors / instructors about having PTSD from your service, because they cannot read minds. If you don't tell them, they can't assist you. You may simply need to be tested under different circumstances, though if you have any sort of understanding instructors... then hopefully they can help you to succeed, and not just ignore the issue or ignore it, thus usually only making things worse.

Distance education may be better, but you may just find they have a policy for those who have such difficulties under normal circumstances.

 

[abnvet]

I returned to college and had similar experiences. Was able to push through them and even obtained my BS. Later when I wanted a masters I opted for online- HOOAH!