Posted on Oct 23, 2014
Do you believe that your PTS (PTSD) symptoms can be found in your family members? It is called secondary PTS.
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Not contagious in the literal sense, but rather secondary PTS. They have been doing a much better job teaching us to identify the signs and symptoms of PTS in the military, but in my opinion they do not explain the effect that PTS has on our loved ones.
Symptom example: Startle response.
You are doing everything in your power to keep noise to a minimum so you don't find yourself clinging to the ceiling. Suddenly, the kids accidentally drop something and BOOM! That demon rises up and takes control. Even though you calm down and apologize, you plant that seed in those around you. Before long, even if you manage not to react, the kids may. They flinch and panic because they expect your reaction. We have now conditioned others to feel what we feel.
So many arguments happen in the family because of the lack of understanding that our symptoms can effect our loved ones. Don't waste your time pointing fingers. YOU might be Rambo and think you can deal with it on your own. Your family may not have that same iron constitution. If you don't want to get help for yourself, get help for their sake. One Team One Fight applies to family even more than the branch you faithfully serve.
This is an example from my life before I got help from the VA. Please share your opinions for the benefit of the community. God bless. Uncle Mark
Symptom example: Startle response.
You are doing everything in your power to keep noise to a minimum so you don't find yourself clinging to the ceiling. Suddenly, the kids accidentally drop something and BOOM! That demon rises up and takes control. Even though you calm down and apologize, you plant that seed in those around you. Before long, even if you manage not to react, the kids may. They flinch and panic because they expect your reaction. We have now conditioned others to feel what we feel.
So many arguments happen in the family because of the lack of understanding that our symptoms can effect our loved ones. Don't waste your time pointing fingers. YOU might be Rambo and think you can deal with it on your own. Your family may not have that same iron constitution. If you don't want to get help for yourself, get help for their sake. One Team One Fight applies to family even more than the branch you faithfully serve.
This is an example from my life before I got help from the VA. Please share your opinions for the benefit of the community. God bless. Uncle Mark
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Edited 11 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 64
MSgt (Join to see)
I meant no disrespect to anyone but stand my my original statement. There are other avenues then the VA to seek help. CMSgt James Nolan I did understand where you where going but understand how it could have been misconstrued. Sgt Ray Britt I am sorry for your pain and if I offended you I apologize. I wish you nothing but the best.
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CMSgt James Nolan
MSgt (Join to see) Thanks.
And I do not think that anyone should have been offended by what you said, which was simply to find help-a perfect example of why we are all here. In one way or another, all of us that have migrated here are of the same ilk, that does not mean that there is agreement on all topics, but there is a common thread that pulled each here. Some of us have suffered immeasurably, some of us have lost some/many close to us, some are old/young, some fresh out of basic/boot/ocs. All of us have one thing in common, Service.
And I do not think that anyone should have been offended by what you said, which was simply to find help-a perfect example of why we are all here. In one way or another, all of us that have migrated here are of the same ilk, that does not mean that there is agreement on all topics, but there is a common thread that pulled each here. Some of us have suffered immeasurably, some of us have lost some/many close to us, some are old/young, some fresh out of basic/boot/ocs. All of us have one thing in common, Service.
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SFC Mark Merino
Sgt Ray Britt Where are you brother? I got locked out from using RallyPoint last night and I apologize for our conversation getting cut short.
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I think depression is contagious in general. If you are down, it will effect others around you in most cases. I don't think PTSD is contagious, but it will still affect how others react when around someone with PTSD. It could be a cause of someone else becoming stressed, but not necessarily PTS.
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LT (Join to see)
Dirty to hear that, I can only imagine how hard it must be dealing with such a trumatic experience.
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I have PTSD or PTS which ever you like to call it. I would say that in some cases it is contagious to people or family around you. I have found some people around me have been just fine but on the hand I have found that it is the opposite and seems catch some. Nightmares for example seems I have pasted a couple onto my better half. They aren't military related but before hand she really didn't have them at all and she is a RN. I belive that it could be passed to other depending on the state of the other person and what they may have been through or maybe how tough there defenses are.
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SFC Mark Merino
Don't get me started on nurses SGT Frank Leonardo! Angels of Mercy, every last one of them. I don't see how they do it. Day in and day out. My baby sister is a nurse and I am so proud of her.
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SGT Frank Leonardo
Yes they have one heck of a job that they do when they have to work. Mine works 3 days a week. 12 hour shifts day and night. I hate having to flip shifts all the time wouldn't you SFC Mark Merino?
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