Gday I'm A Jube.

[zombiemoo]

Gday,
I'm not real sure on what to say or how to start this type of discussion off. I Just want to hear from other people that have PTSD to try and relate somehow. A few months ago I was officially diagnosed with PTSD but have been dealing with it for years. It started out as social anxiety disorder/ adjustment disorder after discharging to daily phone calls from wife, doc, psychologist and hospital to make sure I haven't hurt someone or killed myself. I am starting to think I would look damn good in a padded room trying to bite my own face. Has anybody tried these group meeting things? Personally sitting in a room with other people talking about feeling scares the shit out of me but there is not much more of this crap I can take so I'm willing to give it a crack.
Cheers.

 

[JennyMac]

Mornin Zombie

Welcome to the group, first a couple of questions, is that a gun pointed at your head in your profile pic? If so I understand your frustration and most of us are familiar with suicide and homicide ideation but your pic, if it's a gun to your head, can be a trigger for some. I am not asking you to change it, but reconsider it.

Also, could you give us a little more to go on, where you served, tours, etc....it helps us to help you and you might find some fellow comrades that have a lot in common with you. Are you in therapy, what have you been trying to lessen your symptoms....

You will find this place is a wealth of information, advice and help. Chances are if you are going thru it we can tell you the road we have taken.

I am sorry you have to fight this beast, but it can be done. Personally I can't do group meetings yet, strangers in a small room I would probably lose my shit, but that's just me, some of us find it is our lifeline. Everyone is different, there is no magic cure - although you may hear otherwise. Getting better is just going day by day and getting through to hard days a little at a time. Welcome to the forum, I hope you find what you need here.

 

[JarHed]

Yeah, G,day

Look we've all had bouts with suicidal tendencies here. It's not a joke and it's not funny. Ditch the avatar picture Mate. It's not a good way to introduce yourself here.

JarHed

 

[Fargo1]

Welcome Zombie,

Brother, first thing to know is that we have all been where you are or in a damned similar place. As you are just starting to deal with PTSD you need to educated yourself and your family about exactly what it is you are dealing with. There are several threads that you should spend the time to read here:

Link Removed
Link Removed

As for groups, I have been in therapy and have gone to groups. In the beginning the groups would have been impossible for me, but as time has passed, I have been able to go. To me they have been much like spending time on this forum with the exception of having to look into another persons face while you are trying to get some of this shit out...some days that is easier said than done...

But as Jenny said, there is no wonder cure-all for PTSD. Education and a bit of trial, error, and self-awareness is what is required. Try a group. Just pay attention to what is going on inside you. If you feel the anxiety building, don't stick around while they build to astronomical levels. If you feel comfortable, stick around and check it out.

Also, please do let us know a bit about yourself as JennyMac said above.

Hang tough brother,

Fargo

 

[Sarg]

I too, have problems with your avatar. At a time there when there are 22 Veterans or Active Duty suicides daily, I find it offensive. You're welcome here. We'll try our level best to advise and encourage you in your battle with PTSD, but there are certain places we don't go.

As for group sessions. I've had one very outstanding one and now my so-so present one. I find that the individual can affect the quality of the group, if you participate.

Sarg

 

[reddevil1111]

Its a picture of Choppa Reid. Most of us Americans wouldn't get it... its an aussie humor thing. Still, its not in good taste for this site mate.

 

[Sleeping Dragon]

Because no one else did, let me be the first to mention "Baby Steps" You just took one by contacting this site. There will be thousands more. Each one will bring you closer to the home you left before your visit to the killing fields.

There are things you can do to help make it through the day:
Go slow - Stay in the moment. Don't look back or forward when things back up. Just take care of the now.
Don't look for reasons why or justice. You won't find any.
Don't beat yourself up about what you should have done or could have done. Again, stay in the moment.

And, like the guys have already said, that avatar is a reminder that we loose a Brother or Sister every hour of every day. It's a trigger for many of us.

So, welcome Brother

SD

 

[Jimmy1]

Gday,
I'm not real sure on what to say or how to start this type of discussion off. I Just want to hear from other people that have PTSD to try and relate somehow. A few months ago I was officially diagnosed with PTSD but have been dealing with it for years. It started out as social anxiety disorder/ adjustment disorder after discharging to daily phone calls from wife, doc, psychologist and hospital to make sure I haven't hurt someone or killed myself. I am starting to think I would look damn good in a padded room trying to bite my own face. Has anybody tried these group meeting things? Personally sitting in a room with other people talking about feeling scares the shit out of me but there is not much more of this crap I can take so I'm willing to give it a crack.
Cheers.

Gidday Zombiemoo, as an Aussie and big Choppa Reid fan I get it, but as the guys have said it's not really an appropriate Avatar for this site and it will get you banned by the boss is you don't change it mate.

Anyway, now that the formalities are over, welcome to the forum. PTSD itself can send you bonkers and so can the wrong medication, so it's important to constantly test and adjust mate. Always research each and every med they give you as sometimes there are better ones out there. There is a section on here 'Therapy and medications' where you can post your medications if your not sure.

Group therapy, well to me its a matter of taste, some people like it, others don't. I don't like it because usually there is someone in the group who is 'The Oxygen Thief' and tries to steal all the limelight with their tails of woe and nobody else gets a turn. Proper group therapy needs to be in a controlled environment with a subject introduced and the facilitator asking questions of the veteran.

Anyway buddy, if you have any questions, just ask or PM me mate.

 

[Zipperhead]

The group I was with didn't do the touchy feely thing. It was more a way of getting us out in a semi public place and talking about stuff with people who were going through the same shit we were. We seldom talked about PTSD stuff. It was more a social thing. Not saying that any group you get involved with would be the same, but you'd have to check them out to find out.

 

[anthony]

Welcome Zombie...

 

[zombiemoo]

Sorry to offend it was not intentional. My sense of humor is a bit off and I don't do sensitivity well, but thanks for your reply's. I will stick to reading about it I think.

 

[anthony]

Don't be bashful... this is the www and people tend to express themselves. Having a gun to your head is descriptive of how you feel with PTSD, however; some people just don't like it because it puts the thought into their head, which they spend a lot of time trying to keep the shit out.

I used to have a gun on the logo of PTSD Forum when it started, with a bulldog pissing, being a visual of being pissed on and PTSD was like a loaded gun, at any time it could go off.... yet many found it upsetting and so I changed it.

Just that way it is... it wasn't personal against me, nor is this. I just had to respect what others felt... all is good mate.