Childhood trauma and dysfuctional family patterns are a vital factor in PTSD.

CH (CPT) Heather Davis — Sat, 21 Jun 2014 09:19:11 -0400

When I was deployed, I was impacted by the stress and childhood trauma caused repressed memories to surface. If you are having vivid old memories surfacing, go get counseling.

Response by CMDCM Gene Treants made Jun 21 at 2014 9:37 AM

CMDCM Gene Treants — Sat, 21 Jun 2014 09:37:52 -0400

Chaplain this sounds like really good advice if the memories are bad and traumatic. My mother dies a month ago and I have been having good memories of my childhood, some very vivid, but have also missed her. Just yesterday I learned of the death of a second mother figure in another city. She and her husband were like second parents and I have also been feeling their loss. I have been to some grief counseling over my mother's death, so I guess it is now time to discuss this second loss.,

It is never to late or you can never be to old to get help if needed. When loss happens, we all might need to talk it through.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2014 9:43 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 21 Jun 2014 09:43:42 -0400

CPT Davis - I experienced something very similar to this and in fact discussed it with our chaplain when I returned. I watched my little brother die a few years ago and one of our KIAs in Afghanistan reminded me very much of him. When the time of death was called on this soldier, there was this massive flood of emotions that I didn't even know existed. Out of all the casualties, that one still sticks with me and I found it very helpful to sit down and talk about it.

Response by LCpl Mark Lefler made Jun 21 at 2014 10:09 AM

LCpl Mark Lefler — Sat, 21 Jun 2014 10:09:35 -0400

This is important more then people can realize.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2014 4:14 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 21 Jun 2014 16:14:37 -0400

I was thinking about this thread this afternoon and thought I'd follow up - I wonder how many can't watch shows/movies about war anymore based upon experiences. Having worked in a CSH, I ordered the entire series of MASH when I got back, but couldn't watch it. I remember laughing at it as a kid, but some of the trauma room scenarios are too realistic. There are a number of movies as well (We were soldiers, Blackhawk Down) that I also choose not to watch anymore. Not sure if it's from what I've seen in life or what we all did downrange, but I can't watch those anymore. So although childhood trauma I believe is a contributor to PTSD, what we do/see downrange follows us back and has effects even on the civilian side.

Response by CW2 Joseph Evans made Jun 21 at 2014 4:31 PM

CW2 Joseph Evans — Sat, 21 Jun 2014 16:31:09 -0400

Heather,
Nice to see this circulating back to the top again. Not just from the susceptibility created by dysfunctional childhoods, but the effects of trauma affecting multiple generations through genetic as well as environmental causes.

Seeking help as well as finding help for those who don't know they need it, is critical to the health of the force as well as the veterans and their children.

Response by SGT Shon D. Hill made Jun 21 at 2014 4:55 PM

SGT Shon D. Hill — Sat, 21 Jun 2014 16:55:40 -0400

I relate well to this, so much so that the VA disability doctor was sitting on the fence as to what was worse for my "PTSD" childhood or war? Both fucked me up plenty well, but I'm still here and still trying to do this life thing :) Booyah! Doc Hill

Response by SrA Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 24 at 2014 3:31 PM

SrA Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 15:31:10 -0400

I understand that we all have something traumatic in our lives that later leads to some kind of instability in our adult life. Yet, I must say that despite some of the dysfunctions in my family growing up, I was ok for the most part.

The most traumatic experience occurred during my tour in the Navy. It has taken me 12 years to address the issue of that time period. My mind kind of froze and I had blocked it all these years until my best friend encouraged me to file for disability and seek help. Since then, there has been tremendous improvement seeking therapy and counseling as well as additional activities that help with PTSD.

Since then, I have become really passionate about helping other veterans and I find it very therapeutic to help others, to be there for others and to have compassion for others, not only because I have a heart to serve but I am passionate about the things that affect us as veterans and I desire to be a voice within the military community as well as on the outside.