post traumatic stress syndrome

[jdt]

can ya'll tell me more about it ? can people other than soldiers get it ? causes, symptoms , treatments etc?

                  thanks

[charles]

Ptsd is exactly that, a tramatic event that can affect anybody, in any fashion ie: a woman being sexually assaulted, joe snuffy walking into a gas station for a pack of smokes and gets robbed n shot at along with the station attendent n so forth. Symptoms can be a variaty of thing, from ducking for cover at the sound of a lound noise, like a car door slamming shut, a car backfiring, to being uncomfortable in or near big crowds of people, jumpy to the touch or sound of smoething, to getting angry, aggitated, or disgruntled easily, to not being able to work around others, to nightmares n sleeplessness, to a choice of being alone/stand offish towards people, even people u know. Those r some of my symptoms, and as far as treatment, the va likes handing medication out like its candy, which my meds worked for a while, but my body built a tolerence up to them, so i stopped taking them n now my shrink says its time to start taking them again, but at a higher dosage. As for civilian treatment, group theropy (i was offered that, but dont like the idea of it), 1 on 1 sesccions with a psycologist, possibly a combo of the 2, plus medication.

[jdt]

thanks charles , yeah they got a pill for everything , and they all have side effects - but the good news is they got a pill for the side effects 

anybody else ?

[Reuben]

before post traumatic stress syndrome it was called toxic shock syndrome and before that it was called shell shock...

it is everything Charles said and more...there is treatment and some can get over it...but it has something to do with how much stress a person is exposed and also probably has to do with the person as to how much they can take...there is such a thing as to too much exposure and that will take you over the edge and there is no getting better...the point of no return...

I knew several Vietnam vets that had it pretty bad...one only slept 15 minutes and woke up and checked his surroundings and this was every night his entire life...couldn't stay married and a few others that were quick to lose their cool etc...etc...

pretty bad stuff...

[charles]

I was like that nam vet, i would only get around 3-5hrs of sleep a day after i got back from last tour in iraq. 1 night, evidently i rolled out of bed, grabbed my M-40, popped the bipod open n went back to sleep, laying on the buttstock in the prone.

Yea, the best thing i got out my drugs, i stopped smoking, after over 15yrs of doin it and havnt had a cig in over 8 months.

[jdt]

thanks fellers .

i draw strength from the part in the bible that says : he won't put more on you than you can take .

sometimes he pushes it to the limit ... but thats what makes us stronger !

[bigo]

John if you have problems from combat service, it's PTSD. If you are experiencing problem from all the traumatic experiences you have gone through, it's depression. Same thing, and just as debilitating. You need to talk to a professional about it and get some help before it gets too bad. Go read the part about he helps those that help themselves.

[hoghunter71409]

Ptsd is exactly that, a tramatic event that can affect anybody, in any fashion ie: a woman being sexually assaulted, joe snuffy walking into a gas station for a pack of smokes and gets robbed n shot at along with the station attendent n so forth. Symptoms can be a variaty of thing, from ducking for cover at the sound of a lound noise, like a car door slamming shut, a car backfiring, to being uncomfortable in or near big crowds of people, jumpy to the touch or sound of smoething, to getting angry, aggitated, or disgruntled easily, to not being able to work around others, to nightmares n sleeplessness, to a choice of being alone/stand offish towards people, even people u know. Those r some of my symptoms, and as far as treatment, the va likes handing medication out like its candy, which my meds worked for a while, but my body built a tolerence up to them, so i stopped taking them n now my shrink says its time to start taking them again, but at a higher dosage. As for civilian treatment, group theropy (i was offered that, but dont like the idea of it), 1 on 1 sesccions with a psycologist, possibly a combo of the 2, plus medication.

This is all correct.  I can re-emphasize about anybody can suffer from PTSD as a result of a significant trama.  I'm also a veteran and see VA counselor for my PTSD.  I cant say wether or not I'll ever feel a lot better, but I cant tell you as a result of my recent therapy I am able to type this post.  I would not have been able to type this before my therapy because it bothered me so much.

[jdt]

thanks bob .... i ain't much good at talkin to folks i don't know .  i got a coffe cup that says " there ain't nothin gonna come up today that me an tha good lord can't handle " .

i'm glad this didn't happen when i was in my early 20's . cause i would have choked people and burnt and blowed up schitt .

[BigNoseKate]

I have no idea what you could be goin through, but I Hope everything is okay! I know most guys aren't the type to talk about stuff but it may help you out more than you know. The bible is always a good source to refer to also. Just keep your head up, try your absolute best to stay positive and if your up for it, talk to folks. Have lost two friends in the last few months because they felt like they couldn't talk to anyone, so I am not trying to sound weird but I wish I would've told them I've got an ear that'll durn sure listen to anything you've got. I cant tell them that anymore, so it is important to me for you to know that also. I don't know you, but I do know that there's folks who will take the time to listen and not judge. Everyone's got things that occur in life that can really test their patience, happiness and make things a complete mess for them. Best of wishes, and prayers your way!

And a big thank you to those of you who served.

[Freedom-Fighter00]

I was blowed up in Iraq in 07 and retired from the Army in 10. I was put out the Army with 80% and I'm 100+ with the VA. I do have chronic sever PTSD and struggle daily. I do take a cocktail of pills that don't really help just make me to tired to do anything. There's a lot more that goes into it but I don't want everyone here to know my problems.lol. Your more then welcome to get with me off line or any vet is more then welcome to get with me at that matter. I hunt thats my medication and keep a few good people close to me but most don't understand me so I don't have many friends.  I am apart of some good orginzations though and I can get any and all vets lined out. Well here is my number.
281-904-8581, feel free to call me and Charles you do the same...

Hooah!!! 82nd AB

[charles]

Iv found that talkin sometimes help, but im like him, i gotta b in the mood to talk n open up, if not, its like poking a hungry grizz with ur finger. I cant stand being pressured to open up n talk when im not ready to.

[Freedom-Fighter00]

Well.... I'm not going to put my buiz. In the open but I have struggle big time. Its a SOB that's all I can say about it.

[jdt]

ya'll keep talkin .... im' listenin 

[charles]

Freedom-fighter, my comment wasnt directed at u. We posted at the same i guess, bc ur post wasnt there when i hit submit, but i also wasnt refering to u bout talkin to either. I hav issues with a social worker telling me everything is ok, n its ok to tell all. My first visit with a theropist lasted bout 5 min, it ended abruptly when i told him if he ask me the same question 1 more time, but worded it different, he would be visiting er n they could remove his pen from his ear canal. Its a miracle i didnt end up getting an ar15 n being busted down a couple ranks for threatening a full bird.

[Freedom-Fighter00]

Its all good I didn't think nothing of it. I don't talk to anyone about anything. I have had troubles and been forced to the 6 floor for couple of weeks. My wife is my rock and has been my saviour. The outside looking in just don't understand. They just think were crazy.lol. Now the good old Government wanting to cut our pay..lol. Imagine that!  I lost a few good guys while deployed multi times. I could tell you things I face daily and y'all might even think I'm crazy. Smells, voices, sounds. Its tough men. I also struggle from TBI and it all plays its parts. Got blowed up and now got blood clots in my brain on top of everything else. This is why I hunt.Its my escape rout.

[ROCKIN ROO HOG DOGS]

John you know you can holla anytime.....talk all you want,ive been thrown some rotten bones here and there and have learnt how to cipher out why certain things happen to us,918 268 0194,Take care hand,pick up that phone anytime!!!!

[hoghunter71409]

If anyone is struggling and not getting help, please do.  I was in Iraq in 2003- the very beginning. No contractors, no FOBs, I slept under my truck wrapped in a poncho.  I held everything in for 10 years and a SGM buddy of mine convinced this past Nov to go to the VA.  He has been trying to get me o get help for years.  Finally I did.  I cant say talking with the social worker has helped yet, but I do believe it is a start.  I'm not on a bunch of meds, but I do take one and it may save some of my teeth.  My dentist told me that I'm grinding my teeth at night from anxiety.  VA agreed and maybe, just maybe I'll sleep good one day.  Summers are rough for me because when the temps get hot, all I think about is the smells from far away.  During one of my conversations at the VA, I talked about my most tramatic experiences in Iraq- I had no clue but the counselor connect one experience to why I cant stand in long lines.  I'm done babaling, but Id say if you have tried to get help, that is okay, but it is never too late to start.  I put it off for 10 years.

[jdt]

appreciate it folks , i think alot of it is the winter time blues and not being able to spend time outside . i been sick and everything has piled up on me . 15 years ago i woulda choked some people out and felt better instantly , i'll make it , everthing will be better in the spring . ain't nobody ever got rich by betting against me !!!

jimmy , i'm plannin on spending a couple weeks around smithville after school lets out , we'll have to get together and do some hog or cowhuntin !

[Reuben]

therapy works...something else that has helped me is when you are alone whether it is hunting or driving...speak out loud what you want to change about you...and pray...

another thing that helps is a good one a day vitamin...and about 2 or 3 thousand IU's of vitamin D3 and a triple strength fish oil pill every day...does not change you overnight but it will make it way better...it has for me...