Do you ever have flashbacks? What steps do you take to cope with them? Do you avoid your triggers?

SN Vivien Roman-Hampton great read and share, I go to therapy and cut down on the stress. CPT PTSD therapy helps also.

I do have flashbacks but only occasionally. I have had a couple out in the park in back of my house that really sacred the crap out of me. For a few moments it was a real as it was when it happened for real. They always leave me shaking. I have talked to other guys about them. It was the nightmares that bothered me more than anything. The nightmare are totally different than flashbacks, at least that has been my experience. I put up with these episodes for many years before seeking help. It took a suicide attempt that finally brought me to my knees and to the VA mental health department. It was a very quick diagnosis of PTS and then the pills, the f***ing pills. I hated the pills, I still hate them. I took the pills for several years and finally decided to take myself off of them all and I can't tell you how much better I feel, I am human once again. Don't take this as a recommendation by any means, this is just what my experience was. The mental health doctors were really pissed when I admitted to them I had stopped being a zombie. I don't know what you spiritual journey has been, but getting involved with other veterans at church and getting down to brass tacks helped a lot. I also went to Mighty Oaks Warriors Program ( http://www.mightyoaksprograms.org/ ) one year ago this month. It was a very intense 6 day program that did me wonders, in fact, it still does. They have terrific after care programs. For the first few years after I came home I self medicated with anything I could get my hands on. Then, 15 Sep 1985 I knew I had enough and with the help of God and AA & NA I have been clean and sober ever since. That made it even worse doing all those drugs the VA wanted me to take. At one point I was up to 8 different drugs - what a waste of my life that was.

My Comfort Zone is being in my Army Uniform, leading my men. An Artillery Battalion or a 4.2in Mortar Platoon, it didn't matter. The VA rated me with PTSD but the Army was still denying it existed. Drill weekends in the Reserves became my refuge. There were times that I was back in Vietnam, much to the shock of those around me. My behavior was really erratic at times. I got onto Active Duty for an AGR Tour. By the end of that the Army was convinced I was nuts and put me on disability retirement. I still live near a base and go there almost daily.