Sufferer Ptsd

[Sailor_Jerry89]

Hello all. I decided to try this out, see if talking a bit helps my situation. I am not used to it, and the military culture doesn't really 'allow' talking outside the family, but maybe it will help. I am 26 years old in the Navy and have recently been diagnosed with PTSD. I have had symptoms for about 4 years before seeking medical help, and I wish I had done so sooner. I am currently on an IA deployment overseas, so it makes it harder to keep in touch with family, and I usually don't even want to talk to friends back home. This has also left me single, which doesn't help the loneliness and anxiety I feel. I don't really want to get into the details, but I am looking for opinions and advice for those who have dealt with this struggle longer. My doctor is recommending Trauma Focused - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and tried medication to get me to sleep for more than 1-2 hours a night, and to lessen the panic attacks I wake up to. The medicine, unfortunately, gave me an almost fatal allergic reaction. So I am hesitant to take any more meds from Doc. Do you think I should try a new medication the doctor is trying to prescribe? Or should I stick more holistic (melatonin, etc?). Also, does anyone have a way that helps them calm down during an episode? I appreciate all the help and advice I can get. Thank you all.

 

[EveHarrington]

Welcome to the forum.

Do you mind sharing the medication you took?

 

[joeylittle]

Hey, @Sailor_Jerry89 - welcome.

You will find many members here who can identify with your situation. I'm sorry you had an allergic reaction to what you were prescribed - you might want to do some looking around the Medications & Substances or the Anxiety & Panic Attacks sub-forum(s) - lots of discussions on meds (pros and cons) in there. (and you can ask questions on this thread as well).

We have a sister site, mycombatptsd.com, which is dedicated to servicemen and women. You're absolutely welcome to be a member of both, or one - I just wanted to let you know it was out there.

 

[Ka-9]

Hey man- sucks double you gotta suffer that away from home, sorry fot that.

Ive been on meds/varied for 8 years now. I recently tried to wean off effexor, but I didn't respond so well- so to be honest, for some- medications may be needed. If you can deal without, that'd be great, but the holistic didn't work for me.

If you used anxiety/panic emergency meds just to deal with attacks, or calming like lorazapam etc, you aren't slave to the daily need at least. The doctor is essential to make sure their safe/appropriate for you (allergies aside).

And as for techniques to deal with situations- it always sounds too simplistic, but the quick grounding excercises work for me- it's like short meditation with breathing, you focus on 5 sounds, 5 feelings (ie; wind on your face) open your eyes and observe 5 things- but real focus.... intent is to simply ground you back to the moment. There are several forms of it you'd likely find online, but no one even needs to realize you're doing it.

 

[Richie]

military culture dictates that you 'get on with it' but post military culture is the opposite (in the UK at least) so you are not as confined as you think you are. We talk to each other and form online support groups which does extend to current military family. Please do not think that you cant talk to people just because you are serving