Iraqwarrn

[willis williams]

Just think of it as sex this goes either way (man & woman) nobody knows the special spot to touch for each other some are right and some are wrong. This happens do to as Steph said miscommunication. Everybody has a dance in life and we have to dance it those of us dealt the hand of PTSD just suck at it. The reason I used sex as an example is that there is always new horizones and you never know what will happen.

 

[willis williams]

There is know newbie. The family suffers from the point of return. It just takes time before it is pointed out and for one to except it.

 

[Brian Jones]

I've been a nurse for over 26 years and patient care is all I know. What if I can't do that anymore? Its scary for someone my age to think about having to start over. Anyone got any advice for how to handle those times when you just can't seem to get it together?

Welcome to the board, great to have you here! I doubt you'll have to start over, there is so much you can do now that you truly understand what people with our problems have to go through. You could really be great advocate and help for a lot more people than will ever admit they suffer from PTSD.

As for handling those times where you just need to lose it. Most all of us have different things we do from what I have read here. Me, it depends on the situation I find myself in, but, most of the time I will either walk (the more secluded the better) or Read a book, or I will disappear into the digital realms (online) or a mix of those. It is also important that husband, wife or whomever knows whats going on so they dont freak out and you suddenly have an ambulance pull up to you at a park while you were trying to read a book and trying to calm down... thats really not funny when the EMTs jump out think you've killed yourself

 

[Fargo1]

Welcome Deborah,

On my end I have found talking to my friends has been hugely helpful. It has been the hardest thing I have ever done. I didn't want to do it at all. Maybe it is just my group of friends, but every single one of them has offered support and a hug. Every one. If I could only have came to this five years ago when I really started feeling it! Of course I didn't tell them all the blood and guts stories, just that I have seen and done some things, terrible things, and it makes me feel despair, sadness, and lots of anger. What finally brought me to be able to reach out to them was all of great people here.

Again welcome and a virtual hug.

Fargo

 

[nomedic1]

Welcome Deborah

 

[abnvet]

Welcome to the board. Pull up a chair and read and chat.

 

[deborah l. boylan]

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome and words of wisdom. I appreciate it. Nice to know that I'm not alone out there. That's how I've felt for a long time. People, even those in the military, don't always understand. I have figured out that one of the things that works for me when I feel aggitated and angry is to take a time out. Since two of our children are out of the house now I've turned one of their bedrooms in to the "time out" room. When I start to lose it I tell my husband that I'm taking a time out and he knows to leave me alone for a while and keeps the kids occupied until I am able to deal with things again. I can sit in there and rock in the rocking chair or read, whatever, until I start to feel more in control. Its a work in progress but it beats hitting things and screaming.

Starting the paperwork for the VA and retirement. What a bunch of red tape. At least now they will let you start it all while you're still on active duty.

Hope everyone out there is doing well. Thanks again guys!