Hello All

[Nathan1]

Hello All

Hello I have been with the Canadian Forces for 7 years and have had two tours to Afghanistan. I was told I had PTSD a year ago. I have been in therapy for a year now and it has been a roller coaster, I don't know where to turn, I am unable to open up to anyone but my doctor. Home life is sometimes the hardest because I have a wife and 4 young kids. I hope to learn from some of yous how to handle things better.

 

[Jimmy1]

Nathan,

Firstly, welcome to the forum.

You have made the first step by going to therapy. A lot of veterans refuse to believe anything is wrong with them and blame it on the rest of society and their partners and children.

If you have any questions just ask and there are a whole lot of people who might be able to give you the answers your seeking.

Your wife if she is struggling might be able to join the site too as people like Nicolette may be able to give her some words of wisdom.

Things do get better though mate.

Jimmy

 

[Inouk]

Hey Anthony,

Where is the thank you bottom here. Did I miss it?

Jimmy: Thanks...a bunch.

Nathan: Please encourage your love ones to join or read posts here or on ptsd.org (carers are more vocal there). As for you, hang in there.

Hummmm: Anthony?

 

[Nicolette]

Welcome Nathan. It might be helpful for your wife to join so we can share information but also, as I have found from the short amount of time being on here, it has helped me learn more about the military aspect which adds a spin of its own to the PTSD mix

 

[Ladyhope Somerset]

Hi Nathan, welcome to the forum. If you can talk to your doc then I suggest you discuss with him the pros & cons of involving your wife in one of your sessions. With the doc's help I'm sure you will both benefit from her being included. First steps are anxiety provoking, I know, but it will be worth it for you and your family.
Until she begins to understand your triggers etc it's a guessing game which your wife and children are not equipped for.
My husband was given his diagnosis about 9 years ago - before then we didn't know what the heck was happening. We're learning and the forum has provided a lot of the education.
CBT has definitely helped. How often are your sessions? Sometimes you need to take a break from it and allow processing time. Could you manage to take a break away - being somewhere else, even just a short distance, can alleviate some of the pressures.
I know 2 things for sure, it takes patience and being kind to yourself.
Take care

 

[anthony]

Hey Nathan, how you going mate? Glad that you are here and chatting... nobody else can get us better, only we can get ourselves better.

Inouk - This site doesn't have it and won't be getting it.

 

[Nathan1]

Okay today was the second day being back on base at work. I have been off for the last 37 weeks with the birth of our 4th and I took parental leave witch was a good time off but I don't know if it was the great thing because the yesterday morning I had a hard time putting the uniform back on. The doc put me on half days for the first two weeks so I can get back into the swing of it but it feels like shit putting the uniform on and going to the base and seeing everyone else around you in uniform. I mean I don't have it bad at work, I work behind a desk now, the warrants that I work for are very good and the one understands what I am going through because his brother has PTSD also. The big thing is I have a hard time talking to anyone so I just sit there working on my computer and have everything done that I am given with in the first hour because I get in to battle mind and go right at, then I sit there and say nothing to anyone. I don't know how to explain how I am feeling inside and I know that I put on that fake outside so no one knows or sees that something is wrong. I JUST DON'T WANT TO FEEL THIS WAY!

Thanks for listening.

 

[anthony]

Push yourself to talk with others... atleast give it your all. What's the worst case scenario really? Give it a shot and if things fail, then you reassess. If not... your efforts are rewarded by feeling better by being around colleagues.