Posted on Aug 13, 2024
Depression during transition: Did you experience depression and/or anxiety after you got out? How did you manage it?
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Full transparency here since we're in the "trust tree." Depression for me runs deep but it was always something that felt the in background. I didn't disclose it when I enlisted mostly because I didn't think it was a problem. Whenever I was training or deployed I was actually the happiest and I never had any problems. I get out of the Army I then experienced the worst year of my life. Sometimes I wouldn't get out of bed until 3pm. I didn't want to do anything and I was having serious problems concentrating. Then I started having what I later learned were panic attacks. I felt like my mind was scattered and on overdrive. It was scary because my mind wouldn't be thinking rationally and I honestly wasn't sure what I was capable of doing in that state. My heart would be racing like it was beating throughout my whole body. My breathing was so bad I'd be hyperventilating just to get some air and then it would suddenly go away and I'd feel a calm come over me but I couldn't move. I couldn't speak or anything for about ten minutes. The only thing that has helped is medication which I hate but it's better than the alternative.
Does anyone else go through the same thing and what helps you manage it? The feeling really sucks.
Does anyone else go through the same thing and what helps you manage it? The feeling really sucks.
Depression
Mental Health
Transition
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 41
First, you are absolutely not alone in your feelings and experiences. Many veterans develop post-separation anxiety/depression when leaving the military with the impacts ranging from mild to severe.
I would HIGHLY advise you to look at the VA's resource, 'MakeTheConnection'*. The site is a gateway into thousands of Veterans sharing their stories through video interviews, articles and podcast episodes. You can filter the content by symptoms, conditions, life events and combat experience, service era, and more to find stories relatable to you.
Have you explored establishing/expanding your ties back to the military community?
I'm not sure what resources the other Services provide, but the Army has been focusing on the "Soldier For Life"* resources heavily for a number of years now, and many of those resources are geared towards keeping those retired Soldiers connected to the military community. While it is tailored towards the Army, much of the information contained in the "Retired Soldier Handbook"* is applicable to the other Services as well.
Some of the other 'military community' venues you may want to explore (outside of online/Social Media like RallyPoint that is):
• Most installations (at least Army installations) have Retiree councils that represent the local community of retirees (for example, the Fort Belvoir Retiree Council which is near me meets six times a year)
• The VA runs Vet Centers* across the country which community-based counseling centers that provide a wide range of social and psychological services, including professional counseling to eligible veterans at cost and in a non-medical setting (great overview video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMzkZNbKk1I)
• Exploring the Veteran Service Organizations local to you (DAV, American Legion, VFW, etc). Truthfully, this will be hit-or-miss and depend greatly on what they offer, what you are looking for, and how you fit if there's a match.
Again, I'd start with the MakeTheConnection site so you can see many other veterans that have much of the same experience with you and how they have handled it. If you are ok with in-person interactions, then find the Vet Center close to you and explore the support groups and programs they provide.
And of course, RallyPoint is here and many vets will engage and share their experiences as well.
Good Luck!
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* MakeTheConnection - https://www.maketheconnection.net/
* Soldier For Life - https://soldierforlife.army.mil/Retirement/post-retirement
* Retired Soldier Handbook - https://soldierforlife.army.mil/Documents/static/Post/Retired_Soldier_Handbook.pdf
* Search for a Vet Center by zip/city/state - https://www.va.gov/find-locations/?facilityType=vet_center
I would HIGHLY advise you to look at the VA's resource, 'MakeTheConnection'*. The site is a gateway into thousands of Veterans sharing their stories through video interviews, articles and podcast episodes. You can filter the content by symptoms, conditions, life events and combat experience, service era, and more to find stories relatable to you.
Have you explored establishing/expanding your ties back to the military community?
I'm not sure what resources the other Services provide, but the Army has been focusing on the "Soldier For Life"* resources heavily for a number of years now, and many of those resources are geared towards keeping those retired Soldiers connected to the military community. While it is tailored towards the Army, much of the information contained in the "Retired Soldier Handbook"* is applicable to the other Services as well.
Some of the other 'military community' venues you may want to explore (outside of online/Social Media like RallyPoint that is):
• Most installations (at least Army installations) have Retiree councils that represent the local community of retirees (for example, the Fort Belvoir Retiree Council which is near me meets six times a year)
• The VA runs Vet Centers* across the country which community-based counseling centers that provide a wide range of social and psychological services, including professional counseling to eligible veterans at cost and in a non-medical setting (great overview video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMzkZNbKk1I)
• Exploring the Veteran Service Organizations local to you (DAV, American Legion, VFW, etc). Truthfully, this will be hit-or-miss and depend greatly on what they offer, what you are looking for, and how you fit if there's a match.
Again, I'd start with the MakeTheConnection site so you can see many other veterans that have much of the same experience with you and how they have handled it. If you are ok with in-person interactions, then find the Vet Center close to you and explore the support groups and programs they provide.
And of course, RallyPoint is here and many vets will engage and share their experiences as well.
Good Luck!
--------------------------------------
* MakeTheConnection - https://www.maketheconnection.net/
* Soldier For Life - https://soldierforlife.army.mil/Retirement/post-retirement
* Retired Soldier Handbook - https://soldierforlife.army.mil/Documents/static/Post/Retired_Soldier_Handbook.pdf
* Search for a Vet Center by zip/city/state - https://www.va.gov/find-locations/?facilityType=vet_center
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SGT Jim Giffin
The best thing I did was to join a local Volunteer Fire Dept. The Brotherhood in the department is very similar to the military. We have our "Battle Buddies" that we ride with a lot. We feed off each other in the Battle (Fireground) We also have a means to release the built up frustration we encounter by doing frequent debriefs after bad calls. Depression is real, PTSD is real, anxiety is real. We just work through these things together.
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A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney
MAJ Byron Oyler -
HERE I Go AGAIN --- For Absolutely EVERYONE
At 14 I Was Given A Paperback Book Written By Dale Carnegie, Which Was The Beginning Of Changing My Life -- And PLEASE Ignore The Title:- - "How To Win Friends And Influence People"--- It's Actually About Improving Ourselves Which WILL "Win Friends" And "Influence" Others To Do The Same -- Making Our Life And Theirs So Much Better -- -- Available From AMAZON.Com Along With Many Other At Excellent Prices- - Just BUY ONE. Then You'll Buy More For The "Others" You Know.-- I Should Get A Volume Discount.
I've Been Giving Them Out For Decades.-
HERE I Go AGAIN --- For Absolutely EVERYONE
At 14 I Was Given A Paperback Book Written By Dale Carnegie, Which Was The Beginning Of Changing My Life -- And PLEASE Ignore The Title:- - "How To Win Friends And Influence People"--- It's Actually About Improving Ourselves Which WILL "Win Friends" And "Influence" Others To Do The Same -- Making Our Life And Theirs So Much Better -- -- Available From AMAZON.Com Along With Many Other At Excellent Prices- - Just BUY ONE. Then You'll Buy More For The "Others" You Know.-- I Should Get A Volume Discount.
I've Been Giving Them Out For Decades.-
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COL Randall C.
A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney - I will also pile on and give my endorsement. I was given a copy around the same age you were Rick and still have it on my bookshelf (although it's been years since I opened it up and reread any of the passages).
Many other 'self-help'/bettering social interactions/etc. type books have come about in the last 100 years or so since it was written, such as Unshakable, Never Eat Alone, Adversaries into Allies, etc. but a vast majority of then are just rehashes of what he laid out.
Just checked the DoD MWR library and there are numerous digital and audio copies of the book available. If you're interested and eligible*, use the Libby app (download or use online), log into the DoD MWR library* using your DoD ID#, and have at it!
-------------------------------------------
* Military OneSource - MWR programs and eligibility - https://www.militaryonesource.mil/resources/millife-guides/mwr-programs
* DoD MWR Libraries - https://auth.dodmwrlibraries.org/
Many other 'self-help'/bettering social interactions/etc. type books have come about in the last 100 years or so since it was written, such as Unshakable, Never Eat Alone, Adversaries into Allies, etc. but a vast majority of then are just rehashes of what he laid out.
Just checked the DoD MWR library and there are numerous digital and audio copies of the book available. If you're interested and eligible*, use the Libby app (download or use online), log into the DoD MWR library* using your DoD ID#, and have at it!
-------------------------------------------
* Military OneSource - MWR programs and eligibility - https://www.militaryonesource.mil/resources/millife-guides/mwr-programs
* DoD MWR Libraries - https://auth.dodmwrlibraries.org/
Military MWR Programs & Eligibility | Military OneSource
Eligible service members and families can learn about MWR programs for fitness, libraries, concerts, travel, golf courses, outdoor recreation and more.
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A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney
GREAT READ -- Thank You COL. The More Info We Can Get Out There,
The More Assistance These Guys May Be Able To Use. -- And Of Course Including Myself
The More Assistance These Guys May Be Able To Use. -- And Of Course Including Myself
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10
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Yes, especially after retirement- no group bond, no one watching my 6. Had to wake up every day and force myself to believe I would manage it
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MSgt Grant Davison
I know how you feel. I had a hard time transitioning into the new civilian workforce. I retired in 2010. The last civi job I had was in 1983. Times have changed, work ethics have changed, or maybe it was just me that changed. But it was hard and no amount of TAPS training prior to leaving the military could prepare anyone for that transition.
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SMSgt Lloyd Knopp
I never took any medication or went to a therapist. However, it wasn't easy. I understand the shock from a high pressure military to a sudden transition to civilian.
I retired in 1987, after 26 years of continuous active duty. At first I had a hard time getting out of bed. I would just lay around or in bed and read books, so I didn't have to think about anything relevant, at the time. After inquiring into a few jobs I got even more depressed. I was informed I would start at the bottom of the pay scale, and work my way up like everybody else. Nobody seemed to care about my mechanical skills or managerial experience. After awhile I decided to go to school, so enrolled in an aircraft maintenance program at the local community college. It so happened that two of the instructors were Air Force veterans from the Korean War era. They helped me get my feet under me again. My second year I started teaching part time in the welding program while I finished AMT. I then went full time teaching aircraft electrical for a few years and welding for several years.
After acquiring an AMT Certificate I started OJT under my brother to learn electronic equipment service and maintenance. When he sold his business I started my own Office Equipment and Cartridge recycling business, and retired from that in 2007. I now keep busy taking care of my wife's horses, cows, chickens and dogs. Between farm equipment repair, fence mending, irrigation and farm work in general, I don't have a lot of free time to worry about me.
I retired in 1987, after 26 years of continuous active duty. At first I had a hard time getting out of bed. I would just lay around or in bed and read books, so I didn't have to think about anything relevant, at the time. After inquiring into a few jobs I got even more depressed. I was informed I would start at the bottom of the pay scale, and work my way up like everybody else. Nobody seemed to care about my mechanical skills or managerial experience. After awhile I decided to go to school, so enrolled in an aircraft maintenance program at the local community college. It so happened that two of the instructors were Air Force veterans from the Korean War era. They helped me get my feet under me again. My second year I started teaching part time in the welding program while I finished AMT. I then went full time teaching aircraft electrical for a few years and welding for several years.
After acquiring an AMT Certificate I started OJT under my brother to learn electronic equipment service and maintenance. When he sold his business I started my own Office Equipment and Cartridge recycling business, and retired from that in 2007. I now keep busy taking care of my wife's horses, cows, chickens and dogs. Between farm equipment repair, fence mending, irrigation and farm work in general, I don't have a lot of free time to worry about me.
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PO1 Helena Janice Ritz
SGT Lorenzo Nieto - You know, when I moved 2000 miles to escape my life and start over, I felt so alone. Then I found the VA. I was in TN at this time. For some reason, the VA in TN and the veterans there, are just like this phrase you said - I never felt alone. However, now that I've moved back to NM, I do feel alone. I don't know if it is the changes that have taken place in the VA or just the location, but it's not the same. There's no active local DAV chapter. Most of the healthcare is sent out into the community. There's no camaraderie like there was in TN. This transition to NM has almost been as hard as the one leaving the military. I feel alone here.
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A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney
PO1 Helena Janice Ritz -
The ONLY Reason I Use Our VA Out Here In Vegas IS For The Camaraderie And Minor Health Issus Such As Flu Shots.- It's A Trust Factor -- In Short: I Thank All The Gods Everywhere, I Have Medicare And It's Through South West Medical -- Where They Care About Me And My Health Concerns!
The ONLY Reason I Use Our VA Out Here In Vegas IS For The Camaraderie And Minor Health Issus Such As Flu Shots.- It's A Trust Factor -- In Short: I Thank All The Gods Everywhere, I Have Medicare And It's Through South West Medical -- Where They Care About Me And My Health Concerns!
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I had similar concerns when I was halfway thru my Iraq deployment. Then, the anxiety and chest pains continued for a good long spell after I returned home. Luckily, my situation did not warrant medication.
What worked/is working for me is writing, video games, continued service in the Reserves, and working for the VA. And therapy thru the Veterans Center. Oh, and LEGOs (when my wife lets me get them)
What I am writing, well, it's a book of sorts. Kind of of an autobiography that I am not sure if I'll ever get it published. But, it encompasses the basic concept of journal writing. Helps with perspective on things. How I started it was I started the narrative at Basic Training. I do jump around in life, from early years to current, all the while keeping the flow going.
As for video games, I do play multiple kinds, however my primary games are 1st person games. Starfield, AC games, Fallout, etc. I do enjoy word scramble games as well. Keeps me focused.
I still serve in the Reserves. I have about 3 years until I retire.
Working for the VA is great for me. Growing up, I listened to all kinds of stories from Vets that served before me. I loved those stories; part of what made me want to join. Every day, I get to meet and greet Vets from all generations (going back as far as WW2), and speak with them.
As for therapy, I have a therapist that works for the Veterans Center. He is a retired Army Psychologist. Great dude. Good listener and soundboard.
What worked/is working for me is writing, video games, continued service in the Reserves, and working for the VA. And therapy thru the Veterans Center. Oh, and LEGOs (when my wife lets me get them)
What I am writing, well, it's a book of sorts. Kind of of an autobiography that I am not sure if I'll ever get it published. But, it encompasses the basic concept of journal writing. Helps with perspective on things. How I started it was I started the narrative at Basic Training. I do jump around in life, from early years to current, all the while keeping the flow going.
As for video games, I do play multiple kinds, however my primary games are 1st person games. Starfield, AC games, Fallout, etc. I do enjoy word scramble games as well. Keeps me focused.
I still serve in the Reserves. I have about 3 years until I retire.
Working for the VA is great for me. Growing up, I listened to all kinds of stories from Vets that served before me. I loved those stories; part of what made me want to join. Every day, I get to meet and greet Vets from all generations (going back as far as WW2), and speak with them.
As for therapy, I have a therapist that works for the Veterans Center. He is a retired Army Psychologist. Great dude. Good listener and soundboard.
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(Join to see)
Thank you. The frustrating thing is I used to love reading and writing but it's really difficult for me now because I can't concentrate enough to process what I'm reading. Sometimes I have to read a page 2 or 3 times and even then it doesn't stick. I've almost had to stop reading entirely for this reason and it makes me so pissed off.
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MSG (Join to see)
(Join to see) - Baby steps. Get back into reading, only see if you can find smaller/shorter books. Poetry. TS Eliot. D.H Lawrence.
My personal favorite from Lawrence (I first heard in the movie GI Jane) is:
"Self-Pity
I never saw a wild thing
sorry for itself.
A small bird will drop frozen dead from a bough
without ever having felt sorry for itself."
I think of this poem every now and then when I start to feel low. Gets me to see perspective.
My personal favorite from Lawrence (I first heard in the movie GI Jane) is:
"Self-Pity
I never saw a wild thing
sorry for itself.
A small bird will drop frozen dead from a bough
without ever having felt sorry for itself."
I think of this poem every now and then when I start to feel low. Gets me to see perspective.
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CW3 Debra Irby
(Join to see) - I was the same way, And I love to read. It will come back. Just remember to give yourself a break. Coming back to the real world where no one seems to care is difficult after deploying.
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A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney
CW3 Debra Irby -
Then READ THIS-- For EVERYONE: Because What It Does Is To Help Ourself Become A Better Person And How To Pass It On - So Don't Let The Title Scare You - It AIN'T What It Appears To Be: "How To Win Friends And Influence People" -- Authored By Dale Carnegie
And Available Through Amazon.Com - A Small Price To Pay For A Million Dollars Worth Of Information On How To Improve Ourselves -
Then READ THIS-- For EVERYONE: Because What It Does Is To Help Ourself Become A Better Person And How To Pass It On - So Don't Let The Title Scare You - It AIN'T What It Appears To Be: "How To Win Friends And Influence People" -- Authored By Dale Carnegie
And Available Through Amazon.Com - A Small Price To Pay For A Million Dollars Worth Of Information On How To Improve Ourselves -
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