Posted on Jan 16, 2016
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more to the question....I have tried to get him to talk to someone, I have saved the hotline number in his phone. We have to respond to his house quite a bit! no worries of him hurting him self YET, but someone else...maybe! His PTSD causes him to relive experiences in real time. His family has abandoned him and taken everything he has. He refuses to use the VA because he states "he can't be treated by his enemies" does anyone have any advise of had to deal with this before? I'm LEO by the way
Posted in these groups: 
PTSD
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
PTSD Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Edited 10 y ago
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 13
Sounds like getting treatment by a non-government PTSD organization would be best. There are many organizations besides the VA that help veterans address PTSD. They tend to be regional. For example, in Arizona where you are, there is another organization called RallyPoint (no relation to this site) that helps. The local VFW, AL, or DAV can also probably help with recommended service providers.
If he's still not willing to talk to anyone, then I recommend you reach out to those organizations on his behalf and try to get them to come and meet with him on a more casual basis. Don't set it up as a "PTSD session", but just "hey, I've got a friend you should meet." Once he realizes that there are people who are willing to help and that they are not enemies, he may be more open.
http://www.rallypointaz.org/
If he's still not willing to talk to anyone, then I recommend you reach out to those organizations on his behalf and try to get them to come and meet with him on a more casual basis. Don't set it up as a "PTSD session", but just "hey, I've got a friend you should meet." Once he realizes that there are people who are willing to help and that they are not enemies, he may be more open.
http://www.rallypointaz.org/
Rally Point Arizona | Veterans helping veterans and their families
If you need help at any time, for any kind of emergency, call Rally Point Arizona, and talk to a veteran who understands.
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One thing I would say is while it is commendable you are helping out an individual, there are craploads of people who have not even served, or have served and never deployed who use PTSD as an excuse for acting out. That he refuses help from the VA is a red flag for his claims. Although there is a lot of red tape at times it is completely insane that someone would turn down medical care and a pension if they are a legit veteran. I would suggest sending for his military records via SF 180. If you can get him to fill out the paperwork himself, If not you can still get a redacted FOIA form that will give you info on his service. You may want o contact a VSO in you area and see if they can help.
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SGT (Join to see)
I can't stand the VA as far as psychologist. I have finally found a psychiatrist that I finally trust. It took a very long time. I have gone to a VA psychologist, felt my concerns for myself were not addressed, so I went to a civilian. I've since moved, tried talking to one here and I just didn't like her. My ptsd is real, I get compensation for it, but I will not speak to a government owned psychologist. That's how I feel. Doesn't mean I "don't hold any merit." Actually, that's a crappy way to think. Disappointed
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1stSgt Eugene Harless
I see the wizard at the Va as well, but not over PTSD issues. I have taken some of my other issues (Pain Management and physical Therapy) outside the VA, I see the wizard quarterly but to be honest I feel my issues are something That I need to address by simply getting out and dsoing things more. I'm a homebody. I spend too much time by myself. The VA groups are not helpful because I end up stressing about the welfare of others in the group.
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1stSgt Eugene Harless
MSG Bo Mikel - Being a Vet, being eligble for VA health Care and Having PTSD are not necessaly inclusive. I know of an individual who has a VA card and 10% disability because he got beat up in a drug deal gone bad. He was Admin Sepped under honorable conditions as a Pvt. He never even finished MOS School. He scams people telling them he has a TBI and PTSD. He is doing the whole Service dog and Wounded Warrior Suicide Awareness thing. He has tons of people fooled.
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Try and convince this vet to see a doc eather with the VA or on the civilian side if he tries to hurt himself have him placed as inpatient and above all be there as much as possible I have been fighting with my demons for a bit and have had a couple of episodes one was bad my wife was even scared and my 15 yo son witnessed it I was sent to the hospital for a bit but when I came home they were there to help so be there ok
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He will need professional help from somebody, VA or not. PTSD doesn't heal itself. In fact, what most soldiers do actually makes it worse over time. The treatment is counter intuitive both to those who have PTSD and those who want to help but have no real training in how to help.
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Hate to have to say this but if you are Leo then you should be able to get him committed under emergency court order if for no other reason then public safety. Sucks but not as much if he hurts or kills someone or himself. Been there, did that, not fun being escorted out with handcuffs on.
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Sgt Brian Hoffman
This should be done only as a last resort. Taking away a man's freedom is also a very violent act towards him.
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CHAT WITH HIM AND FIND OUT WHY THE VA IS THE "ENEM"? WAS IT A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE (ASK FOR A DIFFERENT DOCTOR) OR IS THAT BASED ON WHAT SOMEONE ELDSE SAID (MAKE YOUR OWN OPINIONS BASED ON YOUR FACTS)? I HAVE BEEN WITH THE VA SINCE 1971 AND 95% OF MY EXPERIENCES HAVE ALL BEEN GOOD. LIKE MOST THINGS, THERE ARE ALWAYS A FEW BAD APPLES, BUT IF YOU GET ONE OF THOSE, ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS ASK FOR A DIFFERENT ONE, IN WRITING, AND YOU WILL MOST LIKELY GET TRANSFERED. SOCIAL WORKERS AT THE VA CAN HELP HIM TO WORK OUT HIS FAMILY PROBLEMS, IF THAT IS WHAT HE NEEDS.
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You can't force someone to get aid they don't want. The only way this man will get help is to ask for it or he is deemed a risk to himself or others by a court. Why not YOU try to listen to him....listening can't hurt?
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The individual could always go to the Vet Center. The Vet Center was created for combat veterans from Vietnam who had a serious distrust of the VA and government. The Vet Center and its counsellors operate independently from VA and often times the counsellors are combat veterans themselves. The Vet Center does not share information with the VA. Should the veteran wish for VA to receive records from the Vet Center he or she must complete a release (VA Form 21-4142).
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