Sufferer Veteran

[Colleen]

My name is Colleen and I am a Veteran struggling with ptsd. I thought I could run from it and it would go away. I thought I could stuff it down so far it would never resurface some recent events have triggered it all over again and since getting sober I don't know how to deal.

 

[BlueDream]

Welcome to the forum Colleen.

 

[hodge]

Welcome, Colleen. First, congrats on getting sober. That is a huge thing. And, yeah, now you've got to deal with the day to day crap. I'm not a master at that, but I can say take one minute at a time. If you don't have a "toolbox" yet, you need to build one. We here can help you. Therapy can also help you with this. I am currently kind of overextended, but here is a great tactic I've learned: breathe normally. On every exhale say to yourself a comforting word or phrase. I use "shhh" and "calm," myself, but choose something that will work for you. This is the absolutely easiest breathing, calming technique ever. Good luck hon, and thank you for your service.

 

[Ka-9]

Welcome Colleen, it's great you're here.

 

[Sighs]

Hi and welcome.

Are you aware of the sister site my combatptsd.com? It is veterans only - no supporters, no other forms of PTSD.

You are very welcome on both sites. Just letting you know it's there.

 

[Plat-Daddy]

Hello and way cool on the sober. I am such a short hitter that I could not drink anyway. Nobody knows with ptsd what works for you but for sure can expound on things that helped me. So many different ways ptsd effects us. For me when stressed even though I am in a chair most of the time I can still stand and walk some. I beat the crap out of a body bag that is hung up when triggered. This allows me to burn the pinned energy and even burns the minds over activity for a while. really helps. I have nerf toy guns that shoot sponges. I shoot the TV commercials, I even shoot mt wife (it is sponges) and she shoots me back. The game is fun. Finding things that can keep the mind occupied so no time to dwell is a good thing. I was told to keep a log also of every thing I eat and drink everyday for a month. also at the end of the next day log how I feel. it seems for me there was a pattern when I ate pasta's or potatoes which are nightshades (google them) I had a harder time the next day. yeah I know sounds silly. I gave up all drink even sodas with the corn syrup and that helped un-wire the mind a bit. Look for the things that trigger you so not blind sided by them. Then in time you will see them coming and change directions for the day to avoid things, places and people who are triggering. Most people have no clue what ptsd is. Yeah even long time veterans like myself some of them just say suck it up. Yeah really not the thing to do the internalizing stress thing. makes the body sick. if any hobbies you are curious about maybe look into them. keep the mind to busy to dwell. I finally had to move to the country and avoid crowds. I can function at the store no issues and even in the city for a little while now yet I am a little on guard duty. I cannot do theaters for on guard all the time. Educate the people who trigger you for many do not know they do. I even try to make it funny when educating or say something " when you do that it is hard on me for some reason. Not sure why but just wanted to ask you for a favor for a while and not do that" always as nice as possible. if they do it again then just do not have time for them for a while to give you time to unwind the mind and work on inner strength. Time seems to help and non stressful home life is a huge factor. I think ptsd never goes away that each of us have to figure out ways to displace it in everyday life. I am on meds. I hated them for years. Now with a real cool doctor and the proper meds and 1/4 of the dose I feel normal again. allot of trial and error. I see a shrink. took 7 before got one who I like to go see. He actually said I have no clue what you need yet lets find out together. I can say anything. I still refrain from details. times and locations but can be around the bush enough he gets it. I am the big hairy biker type thus even though cannot walk well I can ride all day. I do things for me when needed and the rest of the world and the people in my life have to deal with it for it keeps me relaxed. The more relaxed I am the better. the more tired I am from beating the crap out of the bag helps me sleep on tougher days. and for me I like the meds now. Do not hide it. Do not try to explain it to others who have not seen what you have except docs. just allow yourself to heal and know that in no way are you defective for my brother or sister you are not. Smile and just say I have allot on my mind today so I may be quiet today. I gave one brother a t shirt that says. Today is my weekly over thinking day. I will talk more tomorrow. He wears it on rougher days. I have several hats when I wear the brown one my family and people in my life know that maybe today is not a good day to ask to many questions. I hope some of this helps.

 

[Colleen]

Thank you all and I appreciate your thoughts and words.

 

[Colleen]

Welcome, Colleen. First, congrats on getting sober. That is a huge thing. And, yeah, now you've got to d...

Thank you I'm gonna try that. I feel like I go from calm to "full Irish"( as I call my blackout rage )so quickly lately. Having flashbacks and nightmares don't help.

 

[Powder]

Welcome to the forum, and thank you for your bravery in the service of our nation. I am always sad that the price for some of you is PTSD, a high price to pay.

I hope you will find tremendous support here and in the combat sister site, too.

Turning and facing the PTSD, brave. I respect that because I know how it feels. It is very normal to run from it and try to push it down with distractions and addictions.

Muse

 

[EveHarrington]

Welcome! :hug:

 

[Deleted member 28403]

Welcome to the discussions :hug: I trust this place helps you. It's extremely helpful in light of the mass measure of individuals who feel comparative and get it. There is a considerable measure of guidance and backing to be found here :) I hope this astounding group helps you as much as it helped me, understanding all the comparable stories, and taking in a ton along the way. Hugs if you accept :hug:

 

[Friday]

Welcome aboard.

That was a tell for me; when everyone else got sober their lives started getting better? Me? OMFG. Shit just went seriously sideways :wtf: I was a bit of a wreck.

Found out the thing that helped the most was bleeding off stress physically, in advance. Sparring instead of street fights, ya know? PT instead of exploding, and usually ending up nursing some kind of injury. Sports instead of thrill seeking. Take everything I wanted to be doing, and tone it down several notches, and do it way more often. Not a fix, but damn sight helpful.