Jimmy Intro

[pyrobynature]

Hello everyone. My name is Jimmy and I just separated from 8 years Active Duty in the Army. I was in the 82nd Airborne Division, and deployed 4 times to Afghanistan as an Airborne Infantryman. I was in Paktia, Paktika, Ghazni, Arghandab, Zharay, Maiwand, Musa Kaleh, Sangin, Farah, Bala Maghrab....you name it, I've most likely been there. I joined this site because I dont like to discuss some of the things im about to talk about face to face with other people. I am not sure if I have PTSD or not, but I think I do. I have mood swings pretty frequently. I will go from happy to sad to mad really quick, and then like an hour later its like it never happened. I had my first "flashback" a week ago and it scared the hell out of me. I have never had it happen to me before, I just dont want to be labeled as crazy. I was thinking about one incident in particular one day. i was only thinking about it for like a minute or two, but when i stopped i realized that 20 minutes had gone by. I've never "time traveled" like that before. I have trouble sleeping, but when I do I have the same nightmare ocer and over again. Also, I can feel kind of like I want to cry deep down in the pit of my stomach, but I never do. Is this PTSD or am I just psycho? Please help me out I dont know what to do.

 

[Ned]

Please help me out I dont know what to do.

Firstly, no-one who can articulate that well is psycho. Relax. A bit.
And the wanting to cry but being unable to is absolutely typical.
As are reccurrent nightmares/bad dreams/repetitive situational dreams.

You've done the rounds and I can guess the experiences. Talk to the US-based guys and get a handle on the help available. What you've described is what a lot of us know. Start mending mate.

 

[Jimmy1]

Hey Jimmy, from another Jimmy.

You are around friends now mate. You don't even have to say anything about your trauma's. Just read about how to deal with the symptoms.

Cheers

 

[Sarg]

Pyro, if you're not in the VA system or the Vet Center, go to one immediately. Get enrolled into the systems. It may take some time as everybody is backed up with so many coming home so rapidly. Then, you can be evaluated and determine if you have PTSD and the best course of action. Experience had now shown that the sooner you get therapy, the faster you'll start feeling better.

Don't worry about being "labeled". More people understand PTSD and know it not to be manic but rather a stress disorder. Don't be intimidated about talking to a shrink. They're just people, with a diploma.

Most of all ask questions. The sooner you learn what you're up against, the sooner you can do something about it.

Here, if you need me.

Sarg

 

[abnvet]

Welcome Airborne! I was in 82nd ABN for the 1st gulf war. Do go to the VA and/or VetCenter. I did not want to go to the VA when I separated and went to VetCenter as an in between place. No I attend both the VetCenter and VA. Still don't like it but I do go. Hang around some time a read some posts. Good people with good suggestions on this board. HOOAH!

 

[Sludge]

Pyro, if you're not in the VA system or the Vet Center, go to one immediately. Get enrolled into the systems. It may take some time as everybody is backed up with so many coming home so rapidly. Then, you can be evaluated and determine if you have PTSD and the best course of action. Experience had now shown that the sooner you get therapy, the faster you'll start feeling better.

Don't worry about being "labeled". More people understand PTSD and know it not to be manic but rather a stress disorder. Don't be intimidated about talking to a shrink. They're just people, with a diploma.

Most of all ask questions. The sooner you learn what you're up against, the sooner you can do something about it.

Here, if you need me.

Sarg

Sarg called it. Listen to the Sarg. The Sarg knows all! My advice, for the "fastest" service is to call the VA crisis line right away. Talk with them, let them know what is going on and how you feel and they will hook you up with your local options to help you join us on the 40 miles of bad road we are all hiking on to get back to "the world". When things were darkest for me, I called from my quiet little room I was locked-up in. Help is good. Then by working with the VA and chatting with the gang here, you will be feeling better in no time.

Hang in there manno, the beast is a bastard, but it is also a coward. When we Vets stick together, the beast fails in its mission.

 

[Need an Oasis]

Hi Jimmy, welcome, this is a good place to be.

 

[Tim Cake]

I agree with sludge and sarg.

BTW -- welcome to our corner of the universe!