I have seen many of my friends and aquaintences affected by PTSD. Sometimes it can manifest itself in obscure ways and at other times it can lead to tragedy. As an Active Duty Soldier I have been through class after class of how to identify those individuals that may need help. They may be a harm to themselves or to another. It is impossible to know for sure what people will do when under duress. After seeing my Cousin killed this past Saturday night, by her husband, I feel as though I should tell people about this serious disorder that is plaguing our service men and women. It happens with Firefighters and Policemen and wowen as well. The disorder affects the psychy of an individual and affects their ability to cope with change or traumatic events. I urge you all to read about it. If you have friends or family members that are serving overseas or that have served overseas, then you must watch them and have the ability to identify any PTSD signs when you see them. They must recieve help. Some can get through it on their own, but why, when they have loved ones to help them through it. Please read about it and become familiar with the symptoms and help those that need it, before they can no longer be helped.
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Thanks for the post and continued prayers -
Still praying for your family. I agree, this is a major issue. I hate to see these things happen to my fellow veterans. I see stories all the time dealing with PTSD and have friends that have had problems. Thanks for posting this. May the Lord be with them all.Comment
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I am sorry for your loss man. that has got to be rough.
I have a few freinds with PTSD. I will make sure I talk to them.
my buddy has it from two trips to afganistan or iraq (doenst matter), and I know him and his wife took a break, and he was struggling. I tried to go hang out, and hunt and build blinds and stuff as much as I could during that time... I agree it is a serious issue that the government and others take to lightly.Comment
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That is the best thing you can do is hang out with them and talk. Help them at having a normal, meaningful life again.Originally posted by Redneck Archer View Post
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This hits too close to home. Had a EMS brother take a trip down this road a few weeks ago. Luckily we were able to catch him before it was too late.
Never keep quiet when you think someone needs help, even just a chat about the weather can help.
My hands are shaking as I type this, please please reach out to anyone you think is under this type of stress.Comment
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I always thought i was Tuff and could handle things like this on my own.I was always the shoulder to lean on for all my buddies, But after stuggling with some issues and nearly taking out my Ex in Her sleep one night i realized i needed some help.
Not being an overly religous person i broke down and talked to an Army chaplian and he helped greatly.Conversation didnt consist of God to much but just talking to that man was amazing.
This PTSD is real and alot of people blow it off.It doesnt usually manifest itself physically till its to late.Its hard to see a Loved one's stuggles in their head if they wont let you in.Dont be afraid to approach them and lend a ear or a shoulder to cry on.Alot of times just being there and listening is the best help.Sometimes more is needed.Dont force it upon them because a prideful person such as my self will just retreat further away.
I wish the Military would have done more about this along time ago.Now they are playing Catch Up and alot of good soldiers are suffering because of it.
Last month ...and i wont go into Great details about when and where , but we had a fatality wreck on the Hwy and it was young solider just back from Iraq.It had been his 3rd tour .He had been Article 15 for drug and alcohol use and after a few attempts at treatment the Army was washing their hands of him and was giving him a DisHonorable discharge after 8 yrs of service.This soldier had been restricted to the barracks yet got in his car and went home to see his folks then perceeded to run his car into a concrete embankment at 100MPH is what the DPS tropper est.
His parents and friends had No clue to the Demons he was facing in his head.
Dont let this be your friend, your brother or your Husband/wife.Do something and be proactive.Ask the questions and open your ears and never be judgemental when they start to open up.
SnipeHunter .....sorry for your loss Bro.I do feel your pain.And thank you for this post and most of all Thank You for Your Service.
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unfortunately PTSD comes in all walks of life, but with the military they go from being in the battlefield one day and back to civilian surroundings almost overnight, with no time in between to decompress, debrief....as much as the military wants to get the soldier back home, they really do need to have some sort of program to help our servicemen/women assimilate back home or tragic stories like those of the OP will continue to happenComment
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Returning vets can go to the VA or On Post hospitals for treatment. the VA generally has a PTSD clinic, and OEF/OIF vets are elligible for registration 5 yrs after returning home. they told me they wouldnt turn anyone away after that though. the biggest hurdle is the patton response to it all.Comment
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I posted on this some time back about my ex wife's BF going through this. Luckily nobody was harmed in that particular incident, but unfortunately from what I understand, he will not get help. She is no longer dating him and he is not around my kids so I'm happy for that. From talking to people that do know him say he's still drinking alot and usually carrying a weapon, not a good mix. They agree that he's a ticking time bomb ready to take somebody out. I'm praying he and all the others like him get the help they need before it's too late. These good men and women deserve better.Comment
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Men are really funny when it comes to asking for help. Grown men do cry and grown men are still men if they need to ask for help. It is not a good thing to try and handle those feelings by yourself. PTSD eats away at a person and affects daily life. If you are changed and know it, then ask for help.Comment
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Matt, I feel for you and am praying for you and your family. I went through a bout of PTSD myself. Caused me to go through a divorce and took years for me to get over it. A good book I read "Two Wars" By Capt. Nate Self 1/75th helped me with coping with the memories and guilt associated with war. You hear lots of folks talk about war and think its just a day in the life of a soldier. What they dont realize is the quiet time when you are alone and dont really grasp the right or wrong or guilt that comes with it. It is a very serious disorder that causes some bright eyed, happy young men to change into a depressed, negative, feeling of worthlessness. Good book and I recommend you pass it along to anyone you may know that is suffering. I will try and find my copy and send it your way if you like.Comment
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