What's it like explaining life with PTSD to others? Was it hard for them to understand?

Tamara Crivello — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 10:38:28 -0500

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Response by SFC George Smith made Feb 1 at 2017 10:42 AM

SFC George Smith — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 10:42:11 -0500

its' Not Just hard or difficult It Still is ...
Unless you've been there and done it... they have No Grasp of what you or your friends are going thru...

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2017 10:52 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 10:52:21 -0500

My mom has PTSD, she fights to feal normal everyday. I have also lost battle buddies to the desease.

Response by SSgt Robert Jorgensen made Feb 1 at 2017 12:33 PM

SSgt Robert Jorgensen — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 12:33:01 -0500

Mine is not service related, it's from 24 yrs as a firefighter/paramedic and not readily recognized yet. And naturally the things I've seen come out very graphically which makes talking to other very hard, most get sick. Hard to treat when you can't talk to someone if they ain't been there or done that!

Response by PO2 Rev. Frederick C. Mullis, AFI, CFM made Feb 1 at 2017 4:00 PM

PO2 Rev. Frederick C. Mullis, AFI, CFM — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 16:00:08 -0500

There are many whom I have tried to explain it to, and they still do not understand. One marrage went down the crapper because I had no idea what I had and no one else did either, my wife at the time did not wanna listen and when I asked her to go to counseling with me, I was told, Its your problem. Hell I did not even know what the problem was. But I do now and still some do not fully comprehend. Now I am fighting the VA, they say I do not have enough symptoms to be considered PTSD. Its a game show to them. If you have all 5 symptoms you win! if you only have 1 or 2 you go home with the consolation prize. A pat on the back, a kick in the ass and a copy of the home game that you can play with your family when you wake up at 3AM crying because you remembered something that happened 45 years ago.

Response by LTC Stephen Kubiszewski made Feb 2 at 2017 12:40 AM

LTC Stephen Kubiszewski — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 00:40:07 -0500

It is very, very hard to find explain this factor. Given the overall percentage of our population knowing anything about our mil/vets, first responders or others in our communities impacted by today's level of violence!
Speak your piece and continue to search for those who understand or are willing to help.

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Feb 2 at 2017 10:55 AM

Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 10:55:29 -0500

I don't believe that you can successfully explain it to someone that doesn't have it. I don't mean to be rude or callous but unless you have it you can't understand it. You can understand triggers and reactions but you can't understand what it is like to have it. I tried to explain it to my wife once and I couldn't and thank God she sat there and said I got it that I don't understand it but I understand you...we 'll work thorough this together. She understands my triggers and what can set it off and she helps me to avoid them or stays with me if it happens to bother me. I am not anywhere where a lot of our veterans are with PTSD. Mine is mild and 90% of the time no problems but once again, those that don't have it will never fully understand it. IMHO.

Response by PO2 Rev. Frederick C. Mullis, AFI, CFM made Feb 5 at 2017 7:49 PM

PO2 Rev. Frederick C. Mullis, AFI, CFM — Sun, 05 Feb 2017 19:49:41 -0500

To those who are still Active Duty, and believe you may have problems with PTSD. Go to the Hospital and get checked out completely and ensure that it is IN YOUR RECORD!!!! ANYTHING that is stressful have it put in your record. My PTSD did not manifest itself till almost 35 years after I was Discharged. I am still fighting the VA to even recognize the fact that I have it. It took 30 years to get a set of hearing aids after working flight decks for 7 years.