How is the VA's help with PTSD? Did anything really break through and work?

SGT Donald Croswhite — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 02:38:41 -0500

I'm going into the VA soon. I've already spent time at the VA for observation for suicidal tendencies, and depression. The medication they've tried just dulls your emotions. I'd like to do counciling, but I wanted to hear from others' experiences. Had anything really helped.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Jan 25 at 2019 8:49 AM

SGT Ben Keen — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 08:49:32 -0500

I did counseling and for me, it helped. What also helped was linking myself up with some other veterans in the area that I can call. I've also seen great things with service dogs to help with PTSD but of course those two things are outside the VA. Hope this helps. Feel free to drop me a direct message or reply to this comment if you have any other questions.

Response by SGT David Brimmer, MS, MPA made Jan 25 at 2019 8:57 AM

SGT David Brimmer, MS, MPA — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 08:57:10 -0500

Hey Donald. It’s great to see folks asking for recommendations on treatment. It shows a willingness to listen and explore options. Those two constructs will continue to aid you in your healing. Keep learning about PTSD as well. Knowledge is power.

You can find some really good therapists at VA, but the cream of the crop do their work at Vet Centers. Those are also VA places, but operate much differently that the rest of the Medical Center. You’ll be able to find one close to wherever you are and can be seen as often as you’d like.

My humble suggestion is to go speak with a therapist at your local Vet Center. Keep an open mind. You are trying out a new relationship in an unfamiliar place, so you may feel vulnerable and scared. That’s okay. If your therapist seems like a good fit for you, keep going. If not, talk to them about how you’re feeling and that you might want to try someone else. Take my word here, they aren’t offended.

So long as you keep an open mind and make sure to communicate with your therapist (and psychiatrist!) honestly, you will make progress towards your goals. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, so be patient.

I don’t know you but I believe in you, brother! I was diagnosed with PTSD in 2007 and have been following the advice I gave you since then. Sustained happiness is possible.

You got this.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 25 at 2019 9:26 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 09:26:37 -0500

Sgt, I do not know of the services they provide for PTSD, but I just wanted to chime in and say keep the course! I hope you find all the help you need. Just seeing you seek out this information is refreshing and promising, best of luck to you brother.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jan 25 at 2019 12:47 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 12:47:09 -0500

It helped- see if they have a Vet Group counseling program- that works much better- groups of Vets helping each other with a shrink. I still see my shrink every 3-6 months depending.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 25 at 2019 5:01 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 17:01:14 -0500

Not sure if it is available at the VA, but I went through EMDR therapy while still in uniform and it helped a lot.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 25 at 2019 6:07 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 18:07:57 -0500

Going in-patient for 30 days gave me a safe environment and glitters of normalcy.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 25 at 2019 9:28 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 21:28:42 -0500

If they have group therapy available, I suggest that in addition to individual counseling.

Response by SGT Donald Croswhite made Jan 26 at 2019 12:08 AM

SGT Donald Croswhite — Sat, 26 Jan 2019 00:08:28 -0500

Thanks for all your responses. I'm looking into a new job where I can be close to support more.

Response by MSG Danny Mathers made Jan 26 at 2019 3:25 PM

MSG Danny Mathers — Sat, 26 Jan 2019 15:25:49 -0500

The VA didn't do shit for me but things are different all over. I found out the best therapy for PTSD is to stay busy and work. Throw the meds away unless you absolutely need to be dulled. The worst thing is sitting around on your ass at VA counseling sessions. It is hard to keep a job if you are spending time at a VA center going throught tests and evaluation. Vent with people you know that were deployed with you. Get a job and work as hard as you can. Working is what will help you more than any pills and spending too much time at the VA. PTSD will never go away but you can learn to deal with it. Opinions vary

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2019 8:06 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 26 Jan 2019 20:06:32 -0500

Good evening SGT Croswhite, how are you doing today? I'm really glad to see that you are still with us. I understand that you spent time at the VA for S.I. and depression, but I must say you have something to live for. There has to be something or someone in your life that keeps you grounded. You wear a CIB and I have a CAB, we both saw combat, I understand what you are dealing with. I'm not going to lie, I think about death and have all types of crazy shyt going through my head daily, but the only thing that is keeping me grounded from self destruction is my young daughter, spouse and family members......... with me being overseas, we don't have VA, just military and civilian psychologists and LCSW etc. From my experience just dealing with the military, the counselings didn't do me any good and the medication almost killed me. Since PTSD can stem from any traumatic event, I feel the counseling could help for example like coming to terms with death of love one. When it comes to war and being involved in direct combat, the military, civilian or VA doctors won't truly understand you unless they been there before...... no matter how many counseling sessions you go to or how many pills you take, you can never erase the fact that you were traumatized by war.

Response by Sgt Stephen Murphy made Feb 5 at 2019 7:22 PM

Sgt Stephen Murphy — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 19:22:59 -0500

They were extremely quick to offer me weekly counseling and groups if I could get to the VAMC for them. Since that it not workable for me they put in a recommendation for outside counseling. It took over a year to finally get approved and I had one miscue with a bad counselor but I now have a counselor who is also a veteran and is a great match for me needs. To put it bluntly, she doesn't let me BS myself. IT is also very important to talk with your mental health provider about what you are experiencing. I have found that some just want to prescribe issues away. One went as far as to instantly tell me I was schizophrenic and then note in my file that I became hostile with her. I let her know that she did not even glance at my file if she was saying that. I have an agreement with my primary mental health provider. I admit that I do need medication and I will take it on schedule. However, it is my wish to be on as few medications as necessary to make my issues manageable. So be sure to talk to them.