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A young soldier with PTSD fell into a foxhole and couldn’t get out. When a Sergeant walked by the Soldier called out for help, but the Sergeant yelled back, "Suck it up son, dig deep and drive on," then threw him a shovel. The young Soldier did as he was told and dug that hole deeper.
A Senior Officer went by and the young Soldier called out for help again. The Officer told him "use the tools your Sergeant has given you", then threw him a bucket. The young Soldier used the tools and he dug the hole deeper still and filled the bucket.
A psychiatrist walked by. The young Soldier called, “Help! I can’t get out!” so the psychiatrist gave him some drugs and said, "Take this. It will relieve the pain and you will forget about the hole.” The young Soldier said "thanks" and followed his advice, but when the pills ran out he was still in the hole.
A well-known psychologist rode by and heard the young Soldiers cries for help. He stopped and asked, “How did you get there? Were you born there? Did your parents put you there? Tell me about yourself, it will alleviate your sense of loneliness.” So the Soldier talked with him for an hour, then the psychologist had to leave, but he said he’d be back next week. The Soldier thanked him, but he was still in the hole.
Another Soldier , just like him, happened to be passing by. The young Soldier with PTSD cried out, “Hey, help me. I’m stuck in this hole!” and right away the other Soldier jumped down in there with him. The young Soldier with PTSD started to panic and said, “What are you doing? Now we’re both stuck down here!” But the other Soldier just smiled and replied, “It’s okay, calm down, brother. I’ve been here before..... I know how to get out.”
No matter what you're going through, you are never alone.
But don't be too proud to SHOUT OUT!, 'HELP I'm stuck in this Hole' …...
We all get stuck in a hole from time to time but all it takes is to ask your friends for help and we will be there even if we have to jump in that hole with you.
A Senior Officer went by and the young Soldier called out for help again. The Officer told him "use the tools your Sergeant has given you", then threw him a bucket. The young Soldier used the tools and he dug the hole deeper still and filled the bucket.
A psychiatrist walked by. The young Soldier called, “Help! I can’t get out!” so the psychiatrist gave him some drugs and said, "Take this. It will relieve the pain and you will forget about the hole.” The young Soldier said "thanks" and followed his advice, but when the pills ran out he was still in the hole.
A well-known psychologist rode by and heard the young Soldiers cries for help. He stopped and asked, “How did you get there? Were you born there? Did your parents put you there? Tell me about yourself, it will alleviate your sense of loneliness.” So the Soldier talked with him for an hour, then the psychologist had to leave, but he said he’d be back next week. The Soldier thanked him, but he was still in the hole.
Another Soldier , just like him, happened to be passing by. The young Soldier with PTSD cried out, “Hey, help me. I’m stuck in this hole!” and right away the other Soldier jumped down in there with him. The young Soldier with PTSD started to panic and said, “What are you doing? Now we’re both stuck down here!” But the other Soldier just smiled and replied, “It’s okay, calm down, brother. I’ve been here before..... I know how to get out.”
No matter what you're going through, you are never alone.
But don't be too proud to SHOUT OUT!, 'HELP I'm stuck in this Hole' …...
We all get stuck in a hole from time to time but all it takes is to ask your friends for help and we will be there even if we have to jump in that hole with you.
PTSD
Help
Role Model
What Would You Do
Posted 6 y ago
Responses: 6
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Awesome analogy. Our struggle with PTSD is “our struggle “; unless you’ve been there, the ability to understand is remote. Anyone can experience PTSD without a combat tour. The camaraderie of our peers gets us through these trying times; the same way family gets each of us through tough times in our growth. Is there a connection between a solid family upbringing and the increased ability to overcome PTSD; or is the reverse true; the lack of a family life and the ability to overcome most things singlehandedly gives you the strength to overcome?
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As someone who has been in that hole, let me share some sage words.
Stop digging. Drinking, risk taking, pushing people away only makes things worse.
Know that you are not the only one in that hole, no matter how alone you feel, and look for ways to make contact with those people. Our hearts might be broken and our minds firing in uncontrollable ways, but one thing that seldom breaks is a service member's innate sense to look out for one another.
Look for things that are working, not just at the things that seem to be broken. If your job, your religious life, your friendships, your marriage, etc are going well, make sure you tend to them and keep them healthy. Obsessing over what isn't going well make other things not go well.
I could go on and on, but just know that you're not doing this by yourself.
Stop digging. Drinking, risk taking, pushing people away only makes things worse.
Know that you are not the only one in that hole, no matter how alone you feel, and look for ways to make contact with those people. Our hearts might be broken and our minds firing in uncontrollable ways, but one thing that seldom breaks is a service member's innate sense to look out for one another.
Look for things that are working, not just at the things that seem to be broken. If your job, your religious life, your friendships, your marriage, etc are going well, make sure you tend to them and keep them healthy. Obsessing over what isn't going well make other things not go well.
I could go on and on, but just know that you're not doing this by yourself.
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