How would you describe PTSD?

SFC Joseph James — Fri, 23 Dec 2016 21:45:53 -0500

I have been asked before about what PTSD is and how it affects me. This is me taken at my lowest moments. It is how I feel most days. How would you describe it?

Response by SFC Pete Kain made Dec 23 at 2016 9:47 PM

SFC Pete Kain — Fri, 23 Dec 2016 21:47:35 -0500

A living hell.
Not understood by many.

Response by SFC George Smith made Dec 23 at 2016 9:48 PM

SFC George Smith — Fri, 23 Dec 2016 21:48:48 -0500

get a out side Hobby / activity and get up and get going... stop thinking and try to forget...

Response by SGT John Flint made Dec 23 at 2016 10:17 PM

SGT John Flint — Fri, 23 Dec 2016 22:17:05 -0500

It is hard to explain
But my version is being trying to be comfortable with things that give normal people nightmares

Response by CSM Richard Welsch made Dec 23 at 2016 10:39 PM

CSM Richard Welsch — Fri, 23 Dec 2016 22:39:12 -0500

My PTSD is like a nightmare that won't go away that hunts me by the sound of a school tornado drill.I can't be in crowded and when I leave my house I feel like every move I make is tactical.But one day I'm going to cross out my PTSD like tic-tac-toe.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Dec 24 at 2016 12:32 AM

COL Charles Williams — Sat, 24 Dec 2016 00:32:06 -0500

The problem with PTSD SFC Joseph James is many of us have it and suffer from it, but too many others fake it and pretend they have it... which trivializes it for all of us.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Dec 24 at 2016 1:50 AM

Capt Seid Waddell — Sat, 24 Dec 2016 01:50:55 -0500

It is like hearing this poem and laughing because it makes so much sense...

As I awoke one morning,
When all sweet things are born,
A robin perched upon my sill,
To welcome the coming morn.

He whistled a song so sweetly,
And so softly did he sing,
That thoughts of joy and happiness
To my heart did he bring.

As he cocked his little head,
And paused for a moments lull,
I quickly closed the window,
And crushed his fucking skull.

Response by Stephanie Jones made Dec 24 at 2016 2:07 AM

Stephanie Jones — Sat, 24 Dec 2016 02:07:39 -0500

Hyper vigilant, tense, anticipation of bad things are going to happen, mild to severe panic attack. Mine is mostly anxiety but then there is an emotional aspect too. Once my anxiety licks me, it puts me in depression, little to no motivation, lost self-confidence, pretty much the whole gammit, I do also have physical symptoms as I have complex ptsd, probably partly or mostly why I had 10 different vertebrae out and tachycardia. Its miserable pain and anxiety that I'm anticipating going into cardiac arrest. I am getting adjusted and following up with Doc. At this point I have been adjusted 3 times in the past week and my back went out all 3 times now. Tylenol is not even touching the pain.

Response by SSgt Terry P. made Dec 24 at 2016 8:40 AM

SSgt Terry P. — Sat, 24 Dec 2016 08:40:55 -0500

SFC Joseph James I describe PTSD as sneaky--it will steal your life away and you won't understand why.Most people do not react the way you do to the average situation,so you become an outsider,you handle everything from a different standpoint than the average and when the crisis is past you are physically ill for sometime.I lived a life of solitude ,alone most of the time to avoid conflicts and survive what most call "normal everyday living."

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 24 at 2016 12:59 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 24 Dec 2016 12:59:41 -0500

you wake up in the middle of the night heart is pounding, covered in sweet, and don't know why, you go to places and the first thing you do is scope it out look for easy exit and keep a wall to your back, you avoid large crowds and closed spaces, being alone is more comfortable than being social, in the end all you think about is I want my old self back

Response by Sgt Ramon Nacanaynay made Dec 24 at 2016 1:05 PM

Sgt Ramon Nacanaynay — Sat, 24 Dec 2016 13:05:06 -0500

Moral Injury, Invisible Injury, Cost of War, Cognitive Dissonance as opposed to Cognitive Consistency. See "Milgram Experiment". I can't commit suicide it's against my Catholic up-bringing. In fact, my Faith teaches me practice, preach and even martyr to spread the message of Peace. So I do. Amidst the conflict within and without me. I strive to pluck enough nonviolent courage to act with empathy, compassion, mercy, . . .
until . . .

Response by Cpl Dennis F. made Dec 25 at 2016 6:11 PM

Cpl Dennis F. — Sun, 25 Dec 2016 18:11:54 -0500

NEVER, completely readjusting to civilian life, and forever losing a part of the rest of your life. Living with ghosts.

Response by PO3 Aaron Hassay made Dec 26 at 2016 4:43 AM

PO3 Aaron Hassay — Mon, 26 Dec 2016 04:43:27 -0500

Like to kick someones ass and see your fist in as many guys faces as you witness in 1 day as a cool good secure feeling beyond making friends and communicating...and also not being able to feel sensitive to a girl much anymore...scream at your mom for no reason easily triggered if she says you acting different...feel numb...looking for a fight...because you like the rush....etc etc etc

Response by SPC Brian Mason made Dec 29 at 2016 12:04 AM

SPC Brian Mason — Thu, 29 Dec 2016 00:04:00 -0500

Anyone can get it.
I avoided getting help for it for over a year b/c of the negative stigma that many people give us without knowing much about us. I've met some people I could have become really good friends with or even dated, but she and they have their minds set about us. Once they voice that they 'hate' the military, they either walk away or stop responding. Knowing that many people view me this way is disheartening. Not as bad as Korea of course, but it still exists.
I saw a lot of things I thought I'd never see in my life. Many good, many bad. I won't go into specifics. Each person responds to everything around them in their own way. How we cope is unique itself. The first time I was shot at, I was angry more than anything. Luckily, our gunner (with a .50 cal) took them out. Being a Medic, my job isn't to be Chuck Norris or Rambo. My job is to help: illness, injury, hunger, thirst, emotional, etc. I did for our soldiers and the locals. I saw the poor state that so many were in, while the 'elite' enjoyed their prosperity. I saw their own people hurt and kill them; simply b/c we were helping. I saw friends get killed and was in the Aid Station when some were brought in. Making a list of all their on-person items is not something I'd wish on Hitler.
I've been in a HMVEE when it got hit by an IED. Luckily, poorly made an only one soldier in another vehicle was injured (minor). I've lost my hearing, almost completely for around 3 days in various times. Adrenaline can help process only for a short while. When I moved back home and finally got help, I was an emotional wreck, mostly anger. Three people at the VA near me have done more for me as far as processing 'things'. That was maybe 2012 or so.
I will say: talk to someone. Even if they don't know what to say, the can LISTEN. Get help. Have patience. Drugs may be suggested, but in my experience, they can (not always) help. How one, overcomes and maybe lives with PTSD is different. I know they have service dogs now. Me? An app called Relaxing Melodies (Android and iOS) for sleep and naps and certain songs/melodies along with relaxation techniques. YES, it sounds all fake and not realistic, but it WORKS. I did group therapy with other fellow veterans with PTSD. Eventually, you/they will get to a breaking point where you want help.

Response by CPL Jimmy Webb made Nov 17 at 2021 7:35 PM

CPL Jimmy Webb — Wed, 17 Nov 2021 19:35:11 -0500

Hard to deal with everyday life hard to deal with anything even hard to deal with sleeping try to keep from having the dreams and the pain is hard describe pain