How have you dealt with PTSD?

Looking at your specialty, Karolina, and how long you've been in the military, I get a bit indignant that you are asking this question. It feels a little bit like a research project, instead of an inquiry from a fellow warrior. Sorry.

VA offers very little treatment for PTSD, basically we have to handle it the best we can, without help.

There is a new therapy/study .... http://blog.theveteranssite.com/float-therapy-lets-vets-world-quiet-down/?utm_source=social&utm_medium=vetfan&utm_campaign=float-therapy-lets-vets-world-quiet-down&utm_term=20150327

Not well. Everything from meds being arrested not to mention the fact it's what led to my discharge from the USMC. Most days now I just seclude myself from society, they say that's not what your supposed to do but I feel sometimes it's the best so I don't have to deal with certain stressors if I go out versus dealing with things in my own way at home. I think this was one of the areas that the va was getting taken care of to a point but now it's like they just dumped on anyone who has it. With these docs who believe it's cureable they really need to go back to school cureable no, manageable yes but when the va basically stops
Caring about it is when things will get worse. Many people don't realize this stuff dates back to the Roman Empire they are just now beginning to learn how it really affects people especially those of us that have served in combat operations. It's just one of those things in my opinion because everyone is different and it is true to the fact a lot of us don't want to admit that this could be it is what is wrong with us and how much it contributes to other issues such as pain. I was diagnosed while in service and even now I still have a hard time accepting the issues with this ordeal but that's what the va's supposed to be there for. Are they? Not always but at times of say they are they are just really short handed because our government likes to use and abuse but that's a completely different subject. That's all I got to say about it.

Having had shell shock, PTSD, and mild TBI for 43 years since Vietnam. I learned to work very hard. Study and learn my way out of any difficulty. And get help from the VA. That help is get proper diagnose from the National Center for PTSD, proper medication which the VA to get it just right (even now they still do a slight re-adjustment of Meds). And the last piece is proper treatment which has been never been complete right.

The last piece is still a chronic VA problem. I still think the VA does not know all there is to know about PTSD

Philip Bienvenue

I've gone here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ruck-Up/ [login to see] 7579 and here: http://www.warriorconnection.org/

For many years I climbed in a bottle, that helped for about 10 years or so till things all came to a head, and I attempted suicide, drug overdose, Luckly i was caught in time, 4 months in the hospital's mental ward, years of bi-weekly counseling, and a doctor that would not give up on me for any reason, even after I would become combative and threaten him with bodily harm. The meds worked for awhile but as with all medication the body becomes accustom to it and the benefits start to decline. when that happened my doctor looked outside the regular channels and got me a Service dog, That dog has been a God send, its cut my meds down from 19 pills a day to 8 (with 1 as needed). It gives my mind something to concentrate on, and With Sam's training he gives me roughly a 5 minute notification before a Anxiety attack sets in. It still amazes me that he knows before I do. Since he has been by my side the Anxiety attacks have subside a great deal, I still have on on occasion, but they are nothing like they once was, I have learned just what I can and can not do, I avoid crowds, especially crowds indoors. and I watch closely what situations I can and can't put myself into.

I was talking lots of pills but i didn't feel like my self. Now im off the pills i go to the wizard weekly along with support groups and i find martial arts helps Aikido particularly. And lots of support from my wife and friends

I don't have a time to deal with it,not 100% sure if i have it, ya i joke about it with my older kid's,after doing some research some of the effects seem to be there.I don't put a lot of trust in the VA Medical system to get it checked out, not to mention the B/S waiting list and all that crap.
i have 3 Handicap son's,so doesn't give me much time to worry too much about myself,but i do notice bout's of depression,or unclear thought process.how related it is to PTSD,could very well be.i just deal..

I ate nonstop. Stopped watching TV and spent time with my family. After six years of twitching in my sleep and jumping out of bed at any sound I managed to tell myself all is ok. I don't eat nonstop anymore and I have a new goal of losing the wieght I gained. My family was the rock for me to hold on too. Not saying I am cured but better.

I hav had 12 years to deal with my PTSD. Time does heal old wounds my sleep is still my biggest problem. I still need medication to be able to sleep. Noice and crowds are diminishing every year. For the better part of my time I went and talked to doctors and it seemed to help if the Dr was ex military

It takes a lot of counselling most of the time you don't know you have it until you are treated properly by the VA

After 2 VietNam tours and completion of my time in service and retiring, I was called back during Desert Shield to test the to call back retirees in case of military necessity. This included a medical physical. My results were that the Dr diagnosed me with "Severe Depression." When the VA opened a counseling center, I went in. The first counselor determined that "I did not have PTSD. After several more sessions with a second, higher counselor, he diagnosed me "having extreme anger and deep depression. So, they weren't helping me. I walked out and never went back. I'm, still troubled with intense, troubling dreams that don't involve active combat conditions.

Get to the VA yesterday.

Bourbon whiskey scotch and VA Meds

Golfing is my escape.

I beat myself up at the gym. I let out a lot of frustration. I hit the heavy bag. Good therapy for me.

I beat myself up at the gym. I spend hrs there. I find it to be so relaxing even though it hurt my back and legs due to injury while in service.

I'm not sure I even really know what PTSD is. I am a Vietnam veteran and we didn't have 'PTSD' then. I don't think I have it; the only thing I have noticed (which is a continual annoyance to my wife) is that loud noises get a non-normal reaction from me. I'm really 'jumpy' when a loud report happens near me.

I get smashed and throw tomahawks at baby seals.