Hey Rob
Welcome to the forums. As far as the VA is concerned you have to be proactive about your own treatment. The VA has many treatment options available today so this is what I'd suggest, if I may. First, if you can go to a Vet center, outpatient treatment center rather than a large VA hospital you might find it easier to navigate as it's smaller and many times you get more people actually interested in helping. With a system as large as the VA's it's easy to just become a number at a one of the huge places. Make sure that your psychologist or doctor is someone you can talk to and that you feel has your best interests in mind. That will take some time to sort out but if you don't feel confident with the person treating you, you'll have a harder time succeeding with your treatment. If that's so, request another therapist or doctor, that's your right to do that. Do your homework. Research the treatment options and or meds they want to prescribe.
Try to keep in mind that any treatment for PTSD and any other problems or wounds that you have will take time and won't always be pleasant. It's the outcome that you have to focus on, the goal. Always remember that the VA is the largest gov't employer and a monstrously large and convoluted system. Stay focused, stay calm and above all stay the course.
Recognize that there will be problems but you can get them solved. It's a system and you have to work with what's there. It does take time. They're there for us, that's their purpose for existing. There's much info here about dealing with both them and our shared condition. Best of luck Rob and I'm glad you made it back Brother.
JarHed
