What Is Combat PTSD?

[JoeDaddy808]

Hey, all. New to the site. Just finished another "discussion" with the wife about how it kills her to see me like this. I used to be positive, strong, proactive, happy, etc. Now, between PTSD, fibromyalgia, insomnia, nightmares, prescribed pain med dependence (etc, etc, etc), ALL of that has changed... I'm being medically retired from the military, in the process of appealing an SSD denial, and trying to stay sane while wondering what bundle of awesomeness the future has in store for us. Trying so hard to get help from military, but so many of the docs don't care. Weaning off oxy is not helping much, but I know it's for the best. Just want to go fetal and sleep it all away sometimes, but the nightmares hurt so much that I don't even try to sleep... Just whining, but really looking for support. Thank fer reading.

 

[Spock]

Aloha Joe assuming 808 is an area code. You've got a home here with others that know.

Here's the place to introduce yourself to the team:
Link Removed

 

[JoeDaddy808]

Hey, thx, bro. Ya, 808 was our little slice of heaven...

 

[Spock]

Hey, thx, bro. Ya, 808 was our little slice of heaven...

Know it well bruddah.

 

[Nuckingfutz]

I have just sent an application for PTSD treatment. The application asks if I am a danger to myself or others. Yes, in my thoughts. But the VA will not treat me if I tell them yes. PTSD by definition is associated with anger related responses; so now I have to lie to get treatment. PTSD turned me into a liar to get treatment. So will I stay sick with my secret. How will they treat my anger issues and my fear of possible overacting with attacking someone? Any advice?

 

[anthony]

How does that work? I would think if you ticked no then you don't have PTSD and shouldn't be treated. What is their logic in that? How do you know that is their protocol?

 

[Sleeping Dragon]

Peter,

The need for treatment isn't determined by an application. You are evaluated by a therapist at a VA facility. It's a one-on-one process.

Go to a VA facility to start the process. And yes, the process is a pain in the ass. The lines can be long, and the wait even longer. Stay with it.

The best advise I can give is find an advocate. Mine is through the Military Order of the Purple Heart. But, there are lots of others. Many have offices at the VA facilities. If you're not sure where to go and who to see, ask someone.

Please understand, YOU EARNED ACCESS TO TREATMENT when you put on the uniform, and put your ass on the line.

SD

 

[JarHed]

Nice post SD, and exactly spot on.

Keep in mind Peter that you're dealing with the largest American gov't agency. Are there f*ck ups, yes, but there are also good people that want to help.

There's always going to be scuttlebutt and rumors about one thing or another about the VA. Love it or hate it, probably both, it's the place to get help and the things we need and what was promised to us. Stay the course, be patient, be persistent and to quote a great Brit; Never, never, ever give up. If you have any questions, ask. It's what we're here for.

JarHed

P.S. Welcome to the Forums.

 

[Ed B]

I also feel that there is a real difference between combat PTSD and what is experienced by those outside of combat. Yes the DSM diagnosis manual does not differentiate, it is obviously a different experience when when you live it day in and day out, as compared to a singular event. There is also a difference when you are in an situation in which you could take a life.

 

[SaharaSon]

Anthony, I respect the hell out of you, but for the sake of arguement (which I love to do anyway) I have serious questions about the premises you state about who has, and who doesn't have Combat PTSD. This is in reguards as to whether civilians who are in combat zones do indeed suffer from Combat PTSD as much as any soldier in a combat zone. I submit to you that many, many more civilians are killed and seriously wounded in war zones than armed soldiers, as a result of combat. So it is at least as dangerous, or more so, for civilians, as it is for soldiers. Being a soldier you have to know this truth. Your comment that civilians don't have to shoot back has real significance to me. There were several times in war zones, that I have been in, that I wished, even as a kid , that I had the capability to shoot back. At the very least, I would have had a better chance to survive, even though I happen to survive anyway. In other words, being able to shoot back at an enemy is a luxury, not a higher cost. Because of the helplessness of being unarmed and unable to defend oneself, cilivans may have a greater propensity to arrive at Combat PTSD due to the increased reality of helplessness. Also, uniformed soldiers go in and out of active combat zones whereas civilians may have to stay in active combat zones much longer. Thier exposure to combat may be longer and thus more hazardus. As to whether or not civlians are targeted less than soldiers, I don't know about that. We know that in war zones civilians are often targeted. It just depends on who you are, and who's doing the targeting. Just being an American in many African countries automaticly make you a constant target. Constant, as in never being able to let your guard down. It can get you killed. I have all of the characteristics of Combat PTSD and I didn't have the good fortune to wear a US armed forces uniform and have all the support that that entails. At last count I have PTSD, CPTSD, IED, CTS, ECT, OCD and TBI all tied, to one extant or the other, to being an American in my favorite(not) African country for 12 years. There were several times when our ass was hanging out in the wind, we were alone and unable to defend ourselves. A lot of the intel guys and long range recon guys work like that, albeit armed. You have to have brass balls which, last time I checked, I don't have. Anthony, I love you guys, I just wish I could have had some of you guys beside me when the shit in the fan. Live long and prosper. Shalom.

 

[CyclePath]

All om going to say is that some of the most horrifying things I've witnessed/experienced were in/around Mombasa, Youande/Duoala, Accra, Monrovia, & Ziguinchor. Not "combat zones", but there while being military in training capacity.

 

[SaharaSon]

All om going to say is that some of the most horrifying things I've witnessed/experienced were in/around Mombasa, Youande/Duoala, Accra, Monrovia, & Ziguinchor. Not "combat zones", but there while being military in training capacity.

Yah Cyclepath, Africa where doing cannibalism, child sacrifice, and genital mutilation was being done, before it was cool. It's a different place alright. Yep, familiar with that part of Africa and also Kenya. If you want a rush, and you survive, try the sh*t hole that is Lagos. I have close family members that barely, I mean barely, made it out of there alive. One was beaten to an inch of his life. Man, they were real lucky. The Congo is another place that is very, very different and surreal. The general population is very zombie like, they are there, but there is no there, there, if you get my drift. All I can say is you better get every vaccination ever created, and wear a bio-suit while you are at it. I almost died of Amoebic Dysentary in the Sahara. My brother said I looked like I belonged in refugee camp in Biafra or Ethiopia. An Italian doc saved my ass. Shalom.