My Long And Rocky Road.

[Don1]

Hi guys,
I am 41 yaers old. US Army vet. 93-97. Spent all my time (aside from tradoc) overseas( Korea and Germany). Im not sure what else to say about myself other than I found this site after researching
my PTSD. For many years (well before anyone even knew waht PTSD was) I didnt know what was wrong with me, why I had so much trouble in coping with everyday civilian life. Two years ago i decided I need to go see somone and was diagnosed. 20 years ago I swore and oath that changed my life forever, and now that I know what caused it. I fight every day to try to be normal.

Im not sure where to go from here, but Im sure this is probably the only place that truly understands exactly how i feel every day. I just want to be normal again.

 

[Jimmy1]

Welcome Don, you have a safe place here where everyone understands.

We may not be able to get you normal again, but we can help manage your symptoms so you can lead a 'Sort Of' normal life.
Read through the articles mate and then ask as many questions as you want.

Link Removed

Jimmy

 

[BaMuoiBa]

Welcome!

Pull up a chair and settle in - your amoung friends.

Ba

 

[reddevil1111]

Welcome to the forum. I don't think any of us are normal or will ever be that way again. But we can work for that as a goal. I try.

 

[Sarg]

Welcome Don,

And Red is right most of us said goodbye to normal a long time ago. Hey, it keeps the shrinks busy. You'll like this place. No sugar coating, no bullshit just the truth from the horse's mouth. We've got Nam through the guys just now emptying sand from their boots. More will come, unfortunately.

Sarg

 

[JarHed]

Hey Don

Welcome to the forums. Yeah, as was said, we gave up on tryin' to be normal or what ever that is a long time ago. With time you'll find that that's not as important as it might seem at the moment. Lots to learn here and a lot of really great people. Glad you made it back. Time is the factor, one day at a time.

JarHed

 

[Don1]

Thanks guys. Im just starting to understand what all the terms and definitions are. The whats, and whys, that Ive struggeled with for so long. Hypervigilance, the instant snaps of anger, ............The list goes on.

 

[Chin Strapped]

Afternoon mate, welcome.

 

[steve1]

Welcome Don. Normal has become an elusive target for me. I'm Canadian, so my experiences with VA will be different. But, there are lots of very helpful stories on here about dealing with the bureaucracy. There is no need to "reinvent the wheel". I've only been on here for a couple of weeks & have learnt a lot. Sometimes these people are the only ones who truly understand.

 

[Ned]

Afternoon Don. Like the others lads have said, don't worry about 'normal', go for better.
Ned.

 

[Jimmy1]

Thanks guys. Im just starting to understand what all the terms and definitions are. The whats, and whys, that Ive struggeled with for so long. Hypervigilance, the instant snaps of anger, ............The list goes on.

Well mate, welcome to PTSD then. The majority of veterans at some stage are exactly like you, they have no idea what is going on, they have been told they have PTSD but have no idea exactly what it involves and have not idea how to manage it. Some veterans want to get a little better and want to be able to manage it and some veterans want pity and want to feel sorry for themselves so they turn to self medication and end up with no friends, no family, and no life. I am glad you have chosen the better path. It's hard work, but life can get better mate.

 

[Spock]

Welcome Don, although I know what you meant, beyond coming into the world with all one's working parts, I've come to believe I have no idea what "normal" actually is and I probably never wanted to be normal anyway. Life always changes nonetheless and so does our normal. I think our new mission is to find a path through our new normal. Hope the best for you and look forward to having you as part of the group.
Stay safe, stay strong...