Hello.

[DaveB]

My name is Dave, and I was in the army reserves for 12 years, with two tours in Iraq. I had a lot of trouble when I came back from my first tour in 2004, but wasn't ever able to "man up" and get any help. After losing a job to PTSD, I finally was convinced to go to the VA. I was awarded a rating for my PTSD, but I haven't pursued it any further since then. I'm still struggling with things and I haven't had the time to go to the VA and try to get more help. I'm hoping to be able and get some help and sort some things out here. Thanks.

Dave

 

[tho9900]

here's a good place to be for a start.. I gotta say the VA is your best bet but anything is better than nothing, and sometimes this place is best of all to help you think of the different alternatives, between the Nam vets to the last tour of OIF vet there is a lotta knowledge here.. Welcome Dave! What did you do while in? I was a medic...

 

[DaveB]

Truck driver. First tour ran soft skin gun trucks/cargo and second tour only cargo. My second tour was about as exciting as girl scout camp.

 

[Tim Cake]

Lack of excitement during a combat tour is a good thing! Do yourself a BIG FAVOR -- MAKE the time to pursue treatment at the VA. Getting PTSD under control is a big undertaking, and doing with one's own money is next to impossible due to our broken civilian medical system. Frankly most of us couldn't afford it. Start with some counseling appointments. Talking with a mental health professional is VERY IMPORTANT. Get it done soldier!

 

[Jimmy1]

Welcome mate

 

[DaveB]

I know that I need to get into the VA again. I kept putting it off and putting it off, and then I lost my job over it. That's when I finally filed a claim. I have since moved to a different state and am waiting on the VA to get me in.

 

[Tim Cake]

I know that I need to get into the VA again. I kept putting it off and putting it off, and then I lost my job over it. That's when I finally filed a claim. I have since moved to a different state and am waiting on the VA to get me in.

BTW -- welcome to the site!

Don't give up! Keep after the VA process to get the treatment you have earned by your combat service. You owe it to yourself and your family. If you feel the VA is moving to slowly, complain to your Congressman and / or Senators. They will put pressure on the VA machine to get its bureaucratic ass in gear.

 

[T^3]

Dave,
You don't have to wait for the VA to take you in. They should have an Intern Care Mental Health group, aka walk in clinic. Just go to their mental health dept and ask to talk to someone right away! It's the best way to get your foot in the door. Otherwise you will be waiting a very long time.

 

[DaveB]

The other part of the problem is that even when I get the motivation to contact the VA, if they do not respond I can't seem to make myself pick up the phone again. My wife actually tried to get me an appointment this last time.

Part of the problem that I have is that I constantly go through denial. I did not shed a drop of blood in Iraq, yet my brothers around me did. I have a really hard time justifying the use of the VA when there are guys who are in much more need than I am. Then the PTSD monster shows up and reminds me that I really do need help, and of course, it's never at a convenient time that the VA is open. This just seems to be an ongoing cycle.

 

[T^3]

Dave,
You really don't have to wait for an appointment or call. Use their walk in mental health clinic. They will help you immediately and get you started in the right direction in seeing someone. Don't wait for the paper to arrive in the mail if you are struggling. They have staff available for walk ins. The VA also has an ER. My VA ER knows me well. They know my issues and they help me, whether it's anxiety or dehydration. They are there for us when we need them. Use the services. So check to see if your VA has an ER and if it's 3 am go see them. You are worth it! We are all worth it! Don't feel that someone else is worse off than you. We could make up all sorts of juxtapositions of that kind that make us feel unworthy. You wore that uniform, you served your country and you deserve to receive the treatments you need and want!

 

[Barberian]

Dave,

My VA ER knows me well.

Welcome to the forum.

My local V.A. psych ward knows me now too. 5 several day visits in the last 2 years. Four times I self referred by going to the V.A. emergency room, one time... well, I'm still not sure if I was 5150'd or not (admitted by the state). It's not something to be abused, but it's there if you NEED it.

On a less dramatic note, I'd like to stress what has been said above. The mental health clinics have walk in appointments as well. You earned it, use it if needed. Waiting for the system to catch up to you can be too long a wait for someone near crisis or having troubles adjusting to "normal" life. Better to catch it while it's still manageable instead of waiting for it to boil over into crisis mode.

 

[Zipperhead]

It's easy to fall into the "tomorrow" thing. Maybe tomorrow will be better and I won't need to go in. Tomorrow isn't going to get any better until you deal with today. Get in there. They can ignore a phone call, they can't ignore a face.