Non-combat PTSD and combat PTSD?

2014-11-06T00:53:19-05:00

Can anyone in the military get ptsd? I heard there was non-combat ptsd and combat ptsd.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 6 at 2014 1:29 AM

2014-11-06T01:29:12-05:00

Yes but those non combat can be from trauma.

Response by A1C William Bennett made Nov 6 at 2014 1:17 PM

2014-11-06T13:17:30-05:00

Yes there is a non combat PTSD the condition isn't synonymous with Military service. for example my ex wife went from the Air Force to the Army and was raped during a training exercise she has PTSD and has never seen combat. my wife lost a child to drowning in a lake on the 4th of July and she has PTSD. it is caused by severe Trauma of any sort. hence Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Response by CW2 Joseph Evans made Nov 6 at 2014 1:33 PM

2014-11-06T13:33:30-05:00

PTSD is not a military only related mental health issue. Any trauma, regardless of time, place, or situation can cause it.

Combat, Rape, death, violence, abuse, accidents, injury, shock, surprise, bullying... We all here the rumor of the guy that contracted it when the Drill Sergeant yelled at him and we laugh... except based on the life he lived and coping skills he has (or doesn't), this incident may very well have caused PTSD... So, I prefer to look at it as "There is PTSD." The origin doesn't matter, there is a mind/soul that still needs to be healed.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 6 at 2014 8:07 PM

2014-11-06T20:07:20-05:00

Previous comments in this thread state the facts very well. The issue comes when combat-related PTS cases come upon individuals being treated for other-than-combat-related PTS cases. Sometimes the combat-related individuals can't see beyond their own pain to gain understanding and compassion of others with PTS. When one is in pain - and PTS can be thought of as a form of pain internalized (or at least it is in my case) - the one in pain does NOT think clearly.

PTS has been a part of the human experience for eons - every type of literature that discusses loss, anguish, combat, love, hate, anger and fear describe one form of PTS or another. The difference in today's mental health systems is that we seem to have a better grasp on what to do and what not to do for those suffering. Though I will be honest and say there are sometimes I'm not so sure about some of what I'm hearing second-hand on treatment and analysis for PTS. However, we are far ahead in our handling of PTS than when compared to our great-grandfathers and their great-grandfathers....

Maybe some day we will be able to manage PTS before it becomes such an issue .......

Response by SFC Robert Wheeler made May 14 at 2015 8:43 PM

2015-05-14T20:43:07-04:00

The problem is when you reach out to the VA. There is such a thing as PTSD outside of combat. Of course we all know that but when you approach the VA about it, they do all they can to prevent putting those initials on-paper. I have been labeled as having an adjustment disorder following a PTSD episode. The other problem is that when I was in, any hint of mental problem and you were gone. Your career was over. So, when you look at claiming disability, of course you did not seek treatment for the precipitating event. Also how do you document experiences like being on duty at the hospital and dealing with deaths over the years. Yes, they will take their toll on you. Walking into a room and seeing somebody with their brains scattered on the wall behind the chair they sat in is just a little traumatizing. That's just an example. How do you begin to document that stuff? So yeah, non-combat PTSD does exist, but how do you convince the VA that you were exposed to events if they were a normal part of your duties or you were afraid to seek help at the time.

Response by SGT Michael Leary made Feb 14 at 2016 8:18 PM

2016-02-14T20:18:16-05:00

As a therapist with over 3500 hrs in the chair , the easy answer is yes. I've dealt with firemen, police, rapes, attempted murders, natural disasters, car wrecks, house fires, explosions, and all kinds of out her failures and losses which set up flashbacks. Anything that overwhelms a persons resiliency can haunt them as PTSD.

Response by Sherry El Dora Trinity made Jul 15 at 2016 10:54 AM

2016-07-15T10:54:01-04:00

COL Mikel J. Burroughs has a great online program that helps PTSD vets find community and cope. He is a great person to connect with

Response by PV2 Raul Rivera made Jul 15 at 2016 11:26 PM

2016-07-15T23:26:35-04:00

Thank you everyone for the info you guys are the best thnk u again

Response by PO3 Aaron Hassay made Aug 12 at 2016 8:59 PM

2016-08-12T20:59:24-04:00

Check out SENVAVINST 1850.4e DON Dep of Navy Disability Manual, which comes from DOD instruction listed as reference. Download it into PDF. Then do a search for combat related injury. You will see 4 points for Combat Related Injury. 1 is actual combat 2 engaged in extra hazardous duty, experimental stress duty etc 3 Conditions simulating war such as simulated warfare, tactical excerises etc 4 Caused by instrumentality of war, (TANK, COMBAT AIRCRAFT, COMBAT SHIP) for example a navy combat ship any injury due many many many reasons and happenings and evolutions on in operation as opposed an injury at a desk job at a shore command.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 8 at 2017 8:22 AM

2017-06-08T08:22:24-04:00

PV2 Raul Rivera - There is a high incidence of combat related / secondary / caregiver PTSD suffered by doctors and nurses caring for personnel from mass casualty combat wounds morbidity, and death - for which the VA has specific programs available particularly for female nursing personnel. Warmest Regards, Sandy

Response by CSM Richard Welsch made Aug 29 at 2017 8:07 AM

2017-08-29T08:07:09-04:00

This has nothing to do with Combat but my psychiatrist told me that civilians that watched 9/11 when the plans crashed reported to have PTSD because of it.Im probably wrong for saying this but it shocked me that a civilian would Applied for disability for PTSD based on that issue.

PTSD Is used very open as if it's cool to have? I call PTSD "reality" It's a sign of weakness.Im embarrassed to even admit it to myself.I do have a PTSD service dog named Battle and to be honest before him I would not go out if I went shopping it was at 03:00 5 minutes max in and out.I wish they had medication to feel normal again and I forgot what normal feels like.Prior to my SD I became neurotic looking back and feeling for a weapon I did not have.I have good months but once a trigger starts I go from 1 to 100'in a Second and say hurtful things I don't mean.And my TBI/PTSD is a bad cocktail.Inwant to go to the VA just to talk to veterans that are bed written and need someone to talk to but I can't at this point because of my survival guilt and the last thing I want to do is go Their and clam up in tears wishing it was me instead of them.-I lost one to many Battles one after another and found being alone is where I want to be. I get invited from friends on holidays for barbecues and I don't go.Its not that Indont want to go,I know I'll stay 15 minutes and leave or prior to even getting Their I become very anxious and talk myself out of it and it's the easiest thing to do.Warfighters here understand this, and to be honest I'd rather be in the sandbox 6,000 miles away because life really is much easer in Country.Not only that your around people you never meet because of the camaraderie.Im not sure if I'm the only one who feels like this but I have nothing in common with civilians nor do I want to.Some of the posts I have read regarding NON Combat PTSD and I'm sorry it happend to your loved ones.very honourable men that have spouses that have NON Combat PTSD must be so hard I couldn't imagine but I SALUTE you all.

Response by Orey Richards made Jan 12 at 2018 12:02 AM

2018-01-12T00:02:18-05:00

I have PTSD I wasent in the military myself but I suffered things I would never forget as a child from real young til I was about ten years old I am struggling with it myself right now I blocks it out for years but my sisters brought it up and now I can't get out of this rut of bad dreams and waking up in sweat

Response by Sgt Ed Yager made Jun 21 at 2019 2:42 AM

2019-06-21T02:42:49-04:00

I am a Vietnam Era Vet who has blown off or ignored this for years. During the last two yrs I have had significant health issues, and have been visited by some painful reliving of an ugly incident I had my last yr in service. So I would ask the same question, can PTSD come from a non combat incident?

Response by SR Lowell Congleton made Nov 19 at 2020 10:04 AM

2020-11-19T10:04:00-05:00

as far as I know PSTD can occur with anyone.