Sufferer New To The Site

[JayB]

Hello All,

I am a vet that just recently figured out (and bought into the fact) that I have PTSD. I have never believed anybody and just thought the my feelings, emotions, thoughts and dreams were just normal because I was in Somalia. I have just started the road to recovery(if there is one) and am currently being medicated and treated with psychiatric counseling from the VA. My questions for this group are, do you know of any support groups that meet and the vets said that it was helpful or is counseling and meds all there is to help? I'm sure every case is a bit different but, I am just wondering if this is going to leave me being medicated or counseled the rest of my life, or do you actually learn how to deal with it without those things?

 

[Sandra]

Welcome to the forum.

 

[Sazza]

Welcome Jayb, lots of advice and support from fellow members suffering from PTSD and from supporters also. Hope you find the forum useful.

 

[Lucille]

Hi JayB, Welcome to the forum.

We all can relate to the reluctance to believe you have PTSD, but also the relief because it explains what you're feeling inside. I'm not a vet, but there are certainly many around who can point to resources available to vets. Also google searches often have many resources for PTSD sufferers who are vets. They have a very strong community.

As for therapy, it's essential. Medications may be helpful, but I've decided to hold off on that until it seems that I need that (which hopefully I won't) so it's a personal choice. Support groups are very helpful from what I've heard from others on the forum. I haven't found the right one for me yet though so I cannot speak from experience on that regard. Everyone says that other sufferers from PTSD are, for obvious reasons, the best able to relate to what we are going through. Which is the same reason why this forum is so helpful. I've been a member for less than a month, but it has already helped me tremendously.

I hope you find peace, and I thank you for your service to the country!

 

[simplekindofgirl]

Welcome to the forum! I hope that you find comfort here. And you will find the answers to all of your questions- there is a plethora of knowledge to be found in these pages.

PTSD is different for everyone, yet all have a common goal to regain and maintain a lifestyle that manages your symptoms so that you can enjoy a peaceful, happy life.

 

[KP the nut]

Welcome to the forum.

Lots of help, friendship, information and support here. There is a find a friend thread where you can see if there is anyone from your part of the world. Also have you looked at the sister site Combat Forum. I'm sure one of the clever mods will give you the link.

Wishing you peace
KP

 

[Elisacullen21]

Big welcome to the forum. I hope that you find some hope and support here.

(I had a family member that was in colonial war, here in Portugal. He suffered a lot because the war. He never married nor have kids, because he was very isolated.
He was of few, if not the only, family member who noticed my sadness. I remember telling him that I felt noting. It was like I was numb.
Unfortunatly I never had the courage to share with him what I was passing, but if I had done it probably whould have been understood. But unfortunatly he is not here to hear me. He died with cancer :( )