In Iraq, Need Help

[mark harper]

Ok, so I'm currently in Iraq and I think I may have PTSD. I haven't been involved in an attack or anything like that, but people I know have, outside the wire.
I can't sleep at night I just lay there and think about everything, and how I want to get out of here alive to see my son being born next month.
I'm also having trouble talking to my wife, I just don't find interest in talking to her for extended periods of time, as well as getting angry at her for little things that normally wouldn't set me off.

Does anyone here think that I may have some form of PTSD? And what can I do to be able to talk to my wife again without getting angry?

 

[Jimmy1]

Hey Mark, first of all, are you serving, and who are you with???

There are a lot of myths regarding PTSD and what exposure can cause it. There are so many criteria that you have to meet. Your best bet would be to get yourself some psych help. You have to fix you first before you can fix your relationship. This is just my opinion mate.

 

[mark harper]

yeah I'm active army, and I'm supporting 1 Cav.
and sounds good

 

[deborah l. boylan]

Hey Mark! Listen, the first thing you need to do is contact mental health, just like Jimmy said. They can help you with your issues whether its PTSD or something else. You've got to take care of yourself. Hang in there. We all understand what you're going through.

Deb

 

[mark harper]

contact metal health now, or when i get back in a month?

 

[The Hermit King]

I recently read an article about a new study that has had proven results in PREVENTING PTSD. Play TETRIS. Yeah, TETRIS. Apparently it activates a different part of your brain in some special way that actually blocks PTSD from getting it's hooks in. Man I wish in 2003 I freaking had a handheld TETRIS game or at least access to a computer while I was in Iraq. Too bad it only works if your playing the damn game DURING or immediately after your trauma, I.E. while your deployed. It won't do shit to PTSD if you've already got it. I don't know how it works or why or if it even does at all but hell it's worth a damn shot anyway.

 

[Jimmy1]

Mark,

It is my understanding that a person could be displaying symptoms of PTSD and if they get treatment sooner rather than later, they can go back into service. Think about a paramedic, or a police officer/sheriff. They can be exposed daily to death or life threatening instances and yet with a bit of counselling can get back on the job.

What I am saying is if you can seek help now, you might be lucky enough to elude the clutches of the beast.

Just my opinion. I am not a psych.

 

[Fargo1]

Mark,

I think as with all things, the earlier you catch it, the better off you will be. If you can avoid getting in deep to this particular shit hole....

Good luck brother.

Fargo

 

[mark harper]

thank you all, your advice is much appreciated, and believe it or not, i've been playing alot of tetris, yesterday and today and it IS surprisingly calming. Thanks much for that great info.

 

[Jimmy1]

With my mood at the moment, I am likely to throw my phone, or pc, whatever has the tetris on it.

 

[gibrokedown]

Mark, it does in fact sound like you have combat PTSD> I am the same way. short tempered. bored easily with people, don't want to talk with anyone except other military persons or vets. I don't know how you are able to overcome that in time to be back with your wife in a month. I can't see it even being possible with you still in the situation that is creating the PTSD to begin with.
You can't talk with her because she can't understand a word you say anymore. It's like we speak a different language now. Only other people who suffer with PTSD understand what we are saying. It's weird. my whole family abandoned me. both my exs and i broke up. I don't even bother to try and socialize except on here anymore. it's not worth the stress and anxiety. If you want to talk give me a yell.

 

[IraqVet86]

I know I'm new here, but my 2 cents on this subject is not to encourage anyone to think they have PTSD before they have talked to professionals. If Mark comes home thinking he is having PTSD, he is going to just fixate on that until he screws himself up even more.
Mark, it sounds to me like you're pretty young? Young or old I guess it doesn't matter. Deployment is STRESSFUL and can cause changes in your mood and attitude towards those at home.
Anyone who has done a peace-keeping mission in the Balkans can attest to the fact that even if you are not in combat, or even imminent danger, you will feel the stress of deployment and separation from those you love. Also, having your buds outside the wire and not being able to help them with part of the mission must be stressful as hell too.
Please don't get hung up on the idea that you have PTSD until you give yourself a chance to be normal and get some psych help.