Ok Lets Give This A Try, Can I Get Advice?

[jray707]

Hey everyone this is my attempt to kinda release. I returned from a 13 month deployment to Iraq about a year and 3 months ago. I'm now starting to come to, I wouldn't say realize because I already did realize it, but finally admit to myself that I'm having issues.

Am having weird dream sometimes really intense nightmare but they're not war related most the time. As well as sweating in my sleep, ALL the time like severely sweating, distancing myself from people, always depressed and find myself trying not to cry sometimes and I don't know why I even feel like crying. I get angry and irritable for no reason outta nowhere.

I'm not quite sure if this is normal and if not what I should do about it. I'm not the type of guy that likes to go see a doctor or a psychiatrist and stuff. I'm really starting to get fed up with it and my life it feels like. I used to be a pretty easy going and cheerful person, always wanted to have fun with friends and family. Even my friends say it to me from time to time that I don't have ambition to even go out and party anymore like I used to.

I will add more later, I just don't feel like typing my life story at the time. Is anyone else out there having these issues or had them and if so what did you do?

 

[BethRSA]

Hi jray707! Welcome to the forum:hello:

I haven't been to Iraq or even in the military, but I do have PTSD. Some of the symptoms you mention (anger, distancing yourself, crying easily, depression, etc.) could be PTSD. BUT please do not just diagnose yourself.

Although this forum is great, it is not a substitute for a face-to-face therapist who can diagnose you and help you. That said, please read more about PTSD (in a box on the left side of the screen is PTSD Forum Extra's. PTSD Learning can give you lots of information.

Thank you for your work in Iraq. See you around.
Beth

 

[suzie q]

jray 707...welcome to the forum and thanks for sharing with us what you are experiencing!!

First, I want to take the opportunity to say thank you for taking my place while you were serving in Iraq. For me, being a veteran during peace time was a blessing. I felt that I was always ready, I'm just very grateful that I didn't have to deploy to hell as you have. Again, thank you for your courage and strength.

One of the questions you asked was did anyone have symptoms like yourself and what to do about it.

I have PTSD that was diagnosed by a professional. This illness is caused by extreme trauma. Mine came originally from my child hood and then other life events continued that trauma. I've never experienced ,first hand, a war. I do feel like I have been through one though. Please don't take that as a way to minimize what you endured. I can't imagine and have no first hand experience. My dad's brother was in Viet Nam and saw some really rough stuff that fu***d him up for a long time. He has just recently been able to talk about the things he saw. I'm sure he has PTSD, but refuses to get help. He has wasted a lot of his life wasting time and numbing himself. What a waste!

What to do about it is to find as much information as you can on this illness, review the combat PTSD section on the left of the screen, hell look at all the info and talk to someone who can diagnose and treat the symptoms. This is not the type of illness that can be cured or handled by yourself. I encourage you to reach out to the VA community and continue with help on this forum. It allows you a place to connect with others who know right where you are in your life.

Once you have a definate diagnosis, come here to get lists of self-help books or simply chat with people who are in different stages of their ability to have a quality life with PTSD. I think the more you share and search for help and information, the less you will hate dealing with the professionals.

Don't give up, there are answers, read the forum and try to relate to some of the stories. We do care and are not fake. That's been my experience and I'm so glad I found this format to continue my therapy.

 

[ebell83]

Hi Jray 707. I can't really give any advice, because yours is a situation we are currently in. I'm working through my PTSD after several years of acknowledgement and my husband is just now being diagnosed. I can say that you are definitely showing similar symptoms of a few people I know that have been professionally diagnosed, my husband included.

He got back over a year ago from his second tour and is showing the same symptoms you describe. He refused to believe he could have PTSD because he downplayed his role in the war and wasn't having active flashbacks or nightmares about specific war incidents. His nightmares are actually about very common things. But, we did finally get into a counselor with the VA here locally (it takes a looooooong time if you don't know the system) and he's talking to someone. I had to practically beg him for that and it took a lot of freaking out and rage tantrums and threats for that to happen. I hope you don't hold out that long.

The important thing is to get professionally diagnosed. It makes a difference. You are not weak, "weird", or a failure. Please beleive that. People like you and my husband and our other veteran friends have done things that most people can't or won't. You are to be commended. I hope that you are able to find some support here. I know my husband isn't ready to really go into his story yet, but he reads the posts on the combat ptsd forums that are linked here. He finds support knowing there are men out there who know exactly what he's going through. Maybe that can do the same for you. Don't give up! The fact that you're looking for help means so much, so please keep it up!

Liz

 

[helena]

Hi JRay,

Welcome to the forum I am a carer of an xveteran who is suffering with combat ptsd - and I can tell you that the night sweats sound familiar!

There is a wealth of information on this site in relation to combat ptsd - things I hadn't really understood before so I'm sure you will find it really helpful.

Good luck,

Helena