1SG DeyShuan Shepherd 3283 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div> 2013-11-04T19:10:05-05:00 1SG DeyShuan Shepherd 3283

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2013-11-04T19:10:05-05:00 2013-11-04T19:10:05-05:00 Cpl Glynis Sakowicz 3299

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>My son in law came back from Afghanistan with a raging case of PTSD. &amp;nbsp;I am ashamed to say, since I was fine, the husband was fine, that we tended to roll our eyes for a few days, until I found all six foot five two hundred pounds of son-in-law, curled up on the floor shaking and crying and he couldn&#39;t explain why. &amp;nbsp;&lt;div&gt;He was hospitalized for a month, and he&#39;s doing better, thank you, but I can&#39;t forgive myself for not taking him seriously, because he finally told me, that the day I found him crying, he was trying to keep himself from just walking out into traffic or taking a knife to his own throat, because he just couldn&#39;t deal with the rage and anger inside him.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;My answer, though long in coming is, seek treatment as soon as you realize there is a problem, because not doing so, is so much worse for those who love you.&lt;/div&gt;

2013-11-04T19:31:29-05:00 2013-11-04T19:31:29-05:00 CMC Robert Young 3607

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Both should be taken seriously, and dealt with through&amp;nbsp;a comprehensive approach. There is no getting by either of these without professional health. There&#39;s no question that if I identified or recognized these challenges, I would seek help. Taking care of ourselves is job one. If we don&#39;t take care of ourselves, it is impossible to take of our crew and family.

2013-11-05T17:26:12-05:00 2013-11-05T17:26:12-05:00 Cpl Ray Fernandez 5616

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I think the hardest thing for a person to do who is trained to be tough, self reliant, and focused is to admit they need help. The other part of the equation is taking away the stigma that those who do need help face. It&#39;s a tragedy that we make people fear for their careers all because they admit they need help coping with what they experienced. I&#39;ve had brief moments in the past where something happened that took me back to my own noncombat deployments, luckily I had many friends who served with me that I was able to talk things out with and luckily that was enough for me. &lt;br&gt;

2013-11-12T01:10:24-05:00 2013-11-12T01:10:24-05:00 GySgt Richard Nixon 5786

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>For over 13 years I denied having any form of PTSD from 13 months in Iraq and as an EMT. &amp;nbsp;I don&#39;t know for sure what made me talk about it to my PCP but she made me feel really comfortable and I felt like I could talk to her. &amp;nbsp;I&#39;ve been seeing a professional for a little over 2 months now and I honestly say &quot;why did I wait so long&quot;. &amp;nbsp;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/div&gt;

2013-11-12T18:26:02-05:00 2013-11-12T18:26:02-05:00 SFC Private RallyPoint Member 5797

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I would be hesitant to seek care for PTSD while still enlisted (if I could hide it), because of fear of being put out of the Army. &amp;nbsp;A TBI is a little different in my opinion, I would sek care.

2013-11-12T18:53:24-05:00 2013-11-12T18:53:24-05:00 SPC Jesse Cannon 6092

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I was diagnosed with TBI when I was medivaced from Iraq. At the time I attempted to refuse help and it was not until I got home and my wife sat me down and talked to me that I realized I needed help. Once I got into the TBI clinic I was started to bee seen and diagnosed with PTSD. I was the driver of a vehicle where 6 of my close buddies were killed in and 3 of us survived. It was hard on me and as the TBI improved the PTSD came up more. I will never get over that night but without the help I dont know where I would be. I had people from my unit talk crap about me getting help but I did what was right for me and now am a Paramedic student with an associates degree and married with 2 great kids. I do still have problems with TBI but without the help I got I would not be doing as well as I am now. So yes I would cause I did and I hope more do because it wont get better without help. &lt;br&gt;

2013-11-13T20:19:50-05:00 2013-11-13T20:19:50-05:00 SFC Private RallyPoint Member 6434

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I hope any soldier in this position has good people around him/her that can recognize the signs and help them, help themselves. I have had good people that made me seek help and although i am ashamed that i personally imploded with PTSD, i am thankful to the people that stepped into my life and pushed me to &quot;fix&quot; what was going on as i couldn&#39;t see my issues as solely my own. I don&#39;t believe you ever become fixed but after time i have learnt new ways of managing of the symptoms and a inner strength i didn&#39;t know i had. &lt;br&gt;I am honest through, not all my PTSD was deployment related, I had some very nasty issues happen as a E3 (Fellow soldiers in unit broke in to my house and threatened and stalked me for over 7 weeks) involving the unit i was in and then i was thrown in a nasty deployment. Long story now in the past.&lt;br&gt;The good news is while i was kicking rocks, angrily at everything and everyone i had amazing leaders that weren&#39;t my NCOs step in and help me. They listened to me while i kicked rocks and they talked me down from probably getting in a lot of&amp;nbsp; trouble. That was the best help i could have got. Encouragement, acceptance and understanding to guide me to seek the real help i couldn&#39;t see i needed.&lt;br&gt;Not everyone i was deployed with had the same help, we had awols, a suicide, family breakdowns and many good soldiers in trouble even before we were three quarters into our deployment.&amp;nbsp; &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&amp;nbsp;If anyone is suffering and needs help please reach out to them, they might not thank you at first. Healing takes time. &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;If your reading this and no one has reached to you - please add me and message me and i will help you get the help you need and be a friendly ear. &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;

2013-11-14T22:28:26-05:00 2013-11-14T22:28:26-05:00 MAJ Sitz Randy 6438

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Seek care and ongoing support!!&amp;nbsp; Letting it destroy you and the people in your life is not the answer.&amp;nbsp; There is help and it is readily available.&amp;nbsp;

2013-11-14T22:34:19-05:00 2013-11-14T22:34:19-05:00 MAJ Private RallyPoint Member 6457

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Outstanding question that actually relates to real world problem. I'd like to say that I would do the right thing and say something but I also know I'm a stubborn individual. The more I've been on the outside working with veterans groups, the more I see former service members with the same attitude as I. They don't seek out aid until its had an effect upon their civilian career or family. I hope as time goes on, guys will seek help earlier before its too late.<br>

2013-11-14T23:01:06-05:00 2013-11-14T23:01:06-05:00 SFC Rory Kempf 6694

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Have PTSD and did not pursue until retired due to promotion options

2013-11-15T15:36:40-05:00 2013-11-15T15:36:40-05:00 SFC Rory Kempf 7634

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>If I was still active duty, no since I know my career would of been cut short. Most senior soldiers do not believe in it. I retired 6 years before seeking treatment and wish I would of done it much sooner now.

2013-11-18T13:08:10-05:00 2013-11-18T13:08:10-05:00 CH (CPT) Heather Davis 41845

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div><p>MSG Shepherd:</p><p><br></p><p>I just recently found out about the impact of intergenerational PTSD. What many Soldiers may not realize the impact of reintegration, and that many children and women have PTSD due to child molestation and sexual abuse.</p><p><br></p><p>The complexities of PTSD, the re-experiencing memories, emotional numbing, and reactionary behavior impact the next generation. The divorce rate in the military is high and emotional numbing that impacts parenting, marriage, and unable to have loving feelings. </p><p><br></p><p>Due to the generations of combat veterans who have served in my family unknowingly did  not get the help, and the damage was projected down to generations. </p>

2014-01-21T19:23:22-05:00 2014-01-21T19:23:22-05:00 1SG Private RallyPoint Member 41856

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>&lt;div&gt;I have gotten help for my PTSD, and it has helped tremendously. I have had multiple TBI&#39;s and was diagnosed with PTSD in 2006. At first I didn&#39;t go get help because of the so called stigma behind PTSD and you will lose your job or not get promoted. But let me be the first to tell you, it is not true. Shocking,right?!!! LOL. I got to the point that I almost lost everything in my personal life because I was not getting the help I desperately needed. So, I went and it was one of the best decisions I have made in the 20 years in the Army. It saved me and my family. The Sergeant Major of the Army, CSM Chandler, tells soliders all the time to go get help. He did and it also saved his Marriage.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;To all of you in the RP nation, If you think you may have PTSD, go get some help because you just might have it. Only you know you better then anyone else. Who knows, it might save your life or some one else&#39;s.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;

2014-01-21T19:50:21-05:00 2014-01-21T19:50:21-05:00 SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member 41904

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Nope.

2014-01-21T22:32:39-05:00 2014-01-21T22:32:39-05:00 SSgt Private RallyPoint Member 41908

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>&lt;p&gt;PTSD is no joke.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; Residual effects can be so overwhelming that even the smallest day to day task is hard to complete.&amp;nbsp; Be that as it may I love the challenge and even more the fruit of helping.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;People will talk about it all being in your head but it can cause organic issues and possibly even death.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; When my Floyd was dying with ALS he was more worried about me.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; I guess his virtual death sentence gave him a kind of power.&amp;nbsp; Usurping death&#39;s sting by a spiritual antihistamine.&lt;/p&gt;

2014-01-21T22:45:29-05:00 2014-01-21T22:45:29-05:00 CPT Mike M. 42010

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I&#39;m not big on seeing Doctors unless I really need it so I would probably not go unless the symptoms became more than I could handle.&amp;nbsp; Has nothing to do with a potential &quot;stigma&quot; or anything like that, I just try to be self sufficient.&amp;nbsp; Stupid, I know, but that&#39;s how I am.

2014-01-22T07:53:34-05:00 2014-01-22T07:53:34-05:00 SGM Private RallyPoint Member 42652

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Yes, and I did and the Army messed around an promoted me.  LOL living proof they will promote anyone.  Seriously, we all need to understand that we will not be green suitors for life, although it may feel like it.  With that in mind we need to prepare for our eventual departure.  I took a leap of faith and believed our Senior leadership when I went for help. They had huge campaign on AFN with all our big wigs saying no repercussions for coming forward.  I have been going to BH and taking a few things to help since 2006. <div><br></div><div>Here is why I did it.  I have a family.  The state I was in would have been detrimental to my wife and kids.  They didn't deserve that, so went for help.  CPT Davis brings out some good points (further down in the thread) and I encourage every one to read it.  <div><br></div><br /><div>There was a second reason. Being in an EOD unit, we had some IED strikes and injuries.  When my Soldiers would get blown up, i would personally walk them over to Combat Stress people and have them talk to him/ her.  I did this because I am responsible for my Soldiers.  I need to do everything possible to try and help them.  I am not a Doc, but I think the sooner an issue is addressed, the less time it has to fester.  Like any other wound. Well, In 2006 I was deployed as 1SG of an EOD company to FOB Kalsu supporting 4/25 out of Alaska.  We had 22 people in the entire unit.  The CO left for his mid tour leave. I was in charge because we only had 1 officer.  His first day gone I lost 2 teams to IED strikes in Ishkandria (sp?). I didn't sleep for week.  I was not doing well, I could tell my state was effecting the unit and morale, so I figured what was good for the goose was good for the gander.  I went for help.  It was a true lead by example, the Soldiers saw this and they knew i would do what it takes to protect them.  Glad that I did.  I encourage all to go if needed!  </div><br /></div>

2014-01-22T23:52:13-05:00 2014-01-22T23:52:13-05:00 SSG Private RallyPoint Member 51198

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I finally started getting the help I needed from the incidents back in 2007.  It's funny how even at that time mTBI wasn't really a thing, PTSD was still a hush hush thing.<div><br></div><div>I finally found a Neurologist who took my headaches, memory problems, and other ailments and made the connection.  I've not felt this good in a long time.</div><div><br></div><div>The PTSD issue, I still haven't seen anyone...it took me 3 weeks of constant calls and an ICE Complaint to get an appointment at Behavioral Health...which they scheduled for almost 2 months out.  For me it's been about recognizing I have these problems, and that putting them on the back burner for career purposes was really counter productive.</div><div><br></div><div>Anyone who is suffering from either, go get help, it doesn't go away on it's own, it will continuously interfere with your life and well being.  Get help.</div>

2014-02-04T15:38:09-05:00 2014-02-04T15:38:09-05:00 SSG Jerry Webber 65527

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I have been dealing with both for several years now. At first I thought everything was going to be ok. Actually I was more worried about how coming forward with these problems would affect my career. But after my last deployment I shortly pcs to Ft. Benning. I was back from deployment for three months and they were trying to force me to deploy again. I had no problem with this however the constant headaches, the short term memory loss, the anger and inability to sleep were are going to put my new soldiers at risk. While dealing with these issues by myself was not working. I was self medicating again because I wasn't sure being at a new unit how things would be. It got to the point where I couldn't do it alone. I went to get help and no later than I did my new first sergeant held a formation just to blast me. So even if things would have gotten better and I could have deployed I wouldn't have the support of my leadership or the respect from my troops. I know a lot of soldiers have dealt with the same thing. I can only hope that they don't have to worry about that any more. Now it took me a while after getting help to start feeling better. I mean it has been over six years since my last deployment and I still have issues that I'm working on. I hope that things have really changed and those that need help can get it.

2014-02-26T21:35:28-05:00 2014-02-26T21:35:28-05:00 SSG (ret) William Martin 291541

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>1SG, I myself know that I am not strong enough to handle everything that is thrown at me but I will try not before I seek out help, and I will seek out help shamelessly. If I was diagnosed with PTSD to TBI I would seek out help, because I do not want that to effect others around me. I need to be knowledgeable on what I have and seeking help is the first thing I can do to help myself.

2014-10-23T23:55:03-04:00 2014-10-23T23:55:03-04:00 2013-11-04T19:10:05-05:00