My Partner Is A Vietnam Vet Newly Diagnosed With PTSD & I Need Help

[Susieq145]

We live in Michigan & he is being treated for PTSD at the VA Hospital in Detroit.

He is a combat vet that was stationed in DaNang as flight engineer on a Chinook.

He was working in the automotive industry and has been unemployed for the past 2 years. Sitting at home with too much time to think about things has mentally pushed him to the brink. He finally decided to get some PTSD treatment.

We have been together for 9 years. I retired from civil service for the Army abt 2 years ago & he lost his job shortly afterward.

He is having trouble making decisions and when he does make a decision he may change his mind 5 minutes later. Most of his decisions show very poor judgement. He has a very short temper and always tells me that I am wrong - end of discussion!

He claims that the VA doctor told him that he should do whatever makes him happy. This is having a disastrous impact on our budget and our relationship.

I love him with all my heart, but he's driving me crazy.

More later,
Susieq145

 

[taogotaz]

Hello Susieq145, I served in Nam and it's not unusual for the problems to surface years after the trauma. I lost my family, my job, my retirement, my home and well... So you see there is hope. If I could go back and change anything it would be to key in sooner to the hell my ex-wife was going through. I couldn't see it. She was put through the grinder of caring for a vet in trouble and it takes it's toll. This site is new to me too, but it seems straight up. The people I've interacted with have been cool and supportive. Help is available in other places too. When you wrote you love him but he's driving you crazy sounds very familiar to me. I've lived that. Keep looking for help and support and become aware of the insidious nature of PTSD. Welcome.

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

Wow, Vietnam war was 40 years ago. I can't even begin to imagine how he survived that long without treatment.

Welcome to the forum, you should read this:

[DLMURL]http://www.ptsdforum.org/threads/8531-Things-To-Know-When-Dealing-With-PTSD-%28As-a-Carer%29[/DLMURL]

It helped my husband a lot. And anything else in the carer section. Its a start, and they will try to help you as much as they can. I wish I could give you a magic wand to help you, but its never that easy.

Ayesha :Hug_emoticon:

 

[schittig123]

Wow. I can so relate to you!

I am 52 and my Hubby was in Nam. I never know from minute to minute who he is going to be. Lately he has been really angry. He had surgery 2 weeks ago and it has thrown his stress level into overdrive.

I really like the explanation on this site about the cup being so full of PTSD, there is no room for other stress.

I am here for you : )