I Think My Brother May Be Suffering From Ptsd

[smithybird]

My brother was in the army and had a horrible accident in northern Ireland 10years plus ago, he was released from the army and tried to live a normal life, he lives out in Germany, since his accident his never really held a proper job down, he doesn't sleep well and always blames himself, he says that there is weird voices in his headband that his body aches all the time, he never really listens to anybody and seems his off with the fairy's! In short when he served in the army he wanted to go all the way and be highest of what he could achieve! Unfortunately that wasn't meant to be. He was out in northern Ireland doing roadside checks, and whilst he was under a vehicle checking it, some truck driver decided it didn't apply to him and over took the road block, he basically caught my brothers legs and was dragged for more than 200+ yards when the lads had to open fire to get him to stop! Of late my brother keeps reliving this! He says things like maybe he should of died that day, cos what does he have now, apart from flashbacks sleepless nights and voices. Please help us to go in the right direction.

 

[Meadowsweet]

We can't diagnose here, but PTSD is certainly a possibility here. He needs a professional to diagnose him, and to help him, but I realise that some people are reluctant to do that. How does he react to other peoples concerns?

I can't speak for your brother, but I would react best to people leaving me information of where to get help, and then leaving me alone to make my own mind up, without asking or nagging me to go for help.

 

[smithybird]

Hi Meadowsweet
He reacts quite badly to others when they mention it! He is 1 of 5 of us, and me being the closest to him his only recently opened up to me, I have been sending him links, to read up on and how to deal with it, we speak nearly everyday as much as possible, he tells me things that his dreamt of if and when he can sleep, he tells me some crazy stuff, I recently mentioned that he may be suffering from PTSD and his well aware of what it is, but he says that people will just think his crazy, I know you don't diagnose here but I'm really worried about him.

 

[shimmerz]

@smithybird - the crazy factor is a big one for a lot of us. There is a very popular belief that I hold onto and believe in given my past etc which I won't get into. Suffice to say that I have lived a 'normal' life most of my 50+ years. Then a kindling event happened that had me react to things like I had never reacted before. But there was a strange 'familiarity' to it. These events happened before the age of 2 years old and people had never told me about them. I found out on my own and they are documented. They all make perfect sense now that I know my past.

PTSD is a NORMAL reaction to an ABNORMAL situation(s). It may look crazy to the outside world. I was terrified of stairs. For no known reason. Until I saw my history. I go through stages of eating nothing - which seems crazy, until you read my history. I faint. Dead out. Seems crazy - until you read my history. So really, it is all about putting the pieces together. The situations and coping mechanisms for these reactions is really quite brilliant. Not crazy. Maybe this link may help.

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