General Loss Of Peers To Combat Ptsd

[Sweetpea76]

My vet lost yet another friend and brother in arms to Combat PTSD. I have no idea what to do or say. It seems like we can't go a year without hearing about another suicide.

What do I do for him? I can't help... I know this. I just feel useless. Not to mention this always seems to set him off, then I end up on suicide watch.

Any advice is appreciated.

 

[Sighs]

Oh @Sweetpea76! I'm so so sorry to hear this. I have no words of advice. Just a huge hug for you. :cry:

 

[joeylittle]

I'm really sorry to hear that, @Sweetpea76. I'll give the kind of standard (but always relevant) question to you - is he in therapy right now? If he's not, maybe you'd want to look up some possibilities for groups (either PTSD or grief or suicide survivor) offered by your local NAMI chapter?

 

[Tinyflame]

@Sweetpea76 I'm sorry I started to type but Idk the words to challenge the 'logic' his brain might default to. I'm so sorry. :( But hugs for you (& him/ the others).

 

[Sweetpea76]

He is treated, but the VA cut him down to one half hour session every few weeks... Not nearly enough.

 

[Peach]

I'm sorry top hear about this, Sweetpea. I know this was a month ago, but I wanted to share my sympathies anyway. Is he doing better yet?

 

[Sweetpea76]

He seems to be getting better. He's been around a lot more. He isolated for a little while, and he is still pretty grumpy at times... But I'm hoping this is an upswing.

 

[Sighs]

Hoping with you! Gotta love the upswings! :hug:

 

[Peach]

Glad to hear it.

 

[lostforgottensoul]

Im sorry to hear! Being a daughter of a solider its rough! Its rough when any friend dies let alone commits suicide but the ones on tour together are like brothers!

I am glad to hear he is getting better!

To me, it sounds like a tailspin and those i have to let them play out while doing the best i can to protect myself from myself.

Does he have support? Not just a therapist but others he can talk to? Other vets or just others that "get it"?

I saw that Anthony has a PTSD specifically for combat PTSD, maybe that would help him get stuff out?

Just a thought.

Glad he is doing better! :hug:

 

[Sweetpea76]

He's on the combat site occasionally, and he hangs out at the VFW a lot. He's the youngest guy there though, because there aren't a lot of vets from the OIF/OEF conflicts at his post. He still prefers to hang out with the older Vietnam vets than civilians though.

I think this one was hard because it was a guy from his inpatient treatment facility. This was the third guy from there that has committed suicide, and it is always hard because they had a lot of group therapy together. It's extra raw.

 

[lostforgottensoul]

Im glad he's seeking support! Isolation makes it worse!

My dad takes me to the VFW to play free pool at times and AMVets, and to karokee of course :wtf:

That has to be hard for him! :hug: to you both! I always wish I could make it all better for everyone! :(