Hello From Des Moines

[Art Jeffries]

My name is Art, I am 48, married and father of 2 young children ages 8 and 5. I am a Army veteran and served in the first gulf war back in the early 90's. I have had anger issues ever since my Army days. 20 plus years later and I still have them. as of yet I have never been seen by anybody for this. I am unable to pick out any one event that I can clearly say YES this was the event that changed my life. It's not like I seen a buddy killed or anything like that. I seen quite a bit of bad stuff as far as dead iraqi's chared human remains, body parts etc etc. and I do think of those images from time to time. I work on a Army base and speek with recently deployed soldiers pretty much daily so I think that is part of it as well. My problem is my inability to deal with the day to day stress that comes with having small children. Often when my children fight as all children do I feel as if I am back in the war. and I get caught up in it and totally explode! yelling back at my children. useing bad language. never physical with them but I have punched walls, thrown things across the room and things of that nature. I am causing great damage to my wife and children and I need help. I am in a fight to save myself and my family. So far I have called the VA and set up a apointment to be seen on the 29th.

 

[Zipperhead]

Get in there and listen and talk. Even it you find out that PTSD isn't your problem, they may be able to help. And if you do get diagnosed, the therapy does help, as most on here will tell you.

 

[Tim Cake]

Welcome, Art. You have done the first step -- admitting you have a problem! Go to your local VA office and start the paperwork -- ask for some counseling with your problems. It is a slow process... but it is worth the effort.

 

[Art Jeffries]

This afternoon my wife told me that my seeking out help is to little to late, that the damage has been done. my five year old had another bad day at school. droped a few F bombs, atacked teachers, acted like his daddy. My family is falling apart. My wife blames me, and I guess she is right. I do not know what to do. I wish I could just go away. they would be better off without me. other than I pay the bills. I guess thats my only purpose at this point is just making sure the bills are paid and that there are groceries in our house becaue everything else I have pretty much f*cked up.

 

[Anglesachse]

Well they say "Better late than Never". Yeah we should get it sooner, but unless you have been there you can`t understand what it is that makes it so hard to accept that there is a problem and that you need help.

At some point though we see that there is a problem and start working on it.

Took me f*cking years, Cost me all my so called "Friends" Misses threw me out and my son was a nightmare at school. Only when I had lost everything did I start thinking "Maybe they are right and I have a problem" That was my Dead end and my place to turn around.

I am back with my misses, and she understands me a lot more as do I. My nipper (12) understands why his dad is Cock at times and even he helps with stressors around the house and in life in general.

But I had to wait untill my misses saw me working on myself before she took me back. It is by no means a picnic at home. I still have my days and my rants. But it has gotten better, and the bad days are getting less.

You will survive Art cocker. and Your misses, if she is willing to learn, help and work with you, will stay.

Hang tough Brother.

 

[Need an Oasis]

Hi Art, welcome.

 

[Sludge]

Greetings from the Omaha Area, Art. We got your back!