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I see article after article about, "What is (insert name) doing to help Soldiers with PTSD?" Has it occurred to anyone that the individual also has a responsibility to help him or herself? It occurred to me. Perhaps it would be helpful if we shared information with each other of how we can help ourselves.
Here are some ideas, there are a lot of references to "YOU and YOUR":
DEVELOP SELF HELP STRATEGIES
Have a personal support system. Your battle buddy great, your spouse, your mom/dad. Someone you can call when you're feeling stressed.
Exhibit self control. It is NOT ok to NOT stop your impulses to react in a negative or hurtful way to a given situation. Yes, you can do this, you have the power to choose your reaction. Don't let yourself yell or become angry over things your children, spouse or other do. Don't treat them as if they were in the military and didn't follow directions or make the right decisions.
Give yourself permission. You CAN give yourself permission to cry. If that means you have to pull over to the side of the road until it subsides then that's what you have to do.
Get back to being involved in YOUR life. Don't shun family gatherings, join a intramural sports team... Do the things you used to enjoy, go to a movie, your favorite coffee/doughnut spot, go to church.
Make YOURSELF responsible for YOUR behavior.
Don't use alcohol or drugs to help YOU forget. You're not going to forget and it's a temporary fix to a permanent problem.
If YOU feel that there is nothing left to live for GET HELP. Call a crisis hotline.
Join organizations that will help.
DEVELOP SELF HELP STRATEGIES.
http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/treatment/cope/
Here are some ideas, there are a lot of references to "YOU and YOUR":
DEVELOP SELF HELP STRATEGIES
Have a personal support system. Your battle buddy great, your spouse, your mom/dad. Someone you can call when you're feeling stressed.
Exhibit self control. It is NOT ok to NOT stop your impulses to react in a negative or hurtful way to a given situation. Yes, you can do this, you have the power to choose your reaction. Don't let yourself yell or become angry over things your children, spouse or other do. Don't treat them as if they were in the military and didn't follow directions or make the right decisions.
Give yourself permission. You CAN give yourself permission to cry. If that means you have to pull over to the side of the road until it subsides then that's what you have to do.
Get back to being involved in YOUR life. Don't shun family gatherings, join a intramural sports team... Do the things you used to enjoy, go to a movie, your favorite coffee/doughnut spot, go to church.
Make YOURSELF responsible for YOUR behavior.
Don't use alcohol or drugs to help YOU forget. You're not going to forget and it's a temporary fix to a permanent problem.
If YOU feel that there is nothing left to live for GET HELP. Call a crisis hotline.
Join organizations that will help.
DEVELOP SELF HELP STRATEGIES.
http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/treatment/cope/
PTSD
Troops
Edited 9 y ago
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 26
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I have been coping, without drugs or treatment, for the last few years. I took it upon myself to seek spiritual guidance and let the power of God work through me. I know, these sound like corny statements, but it has worked and continues to do so. I still have it, and it is likely to never go away, but I know it is my responsibility to myself to control it so it doesn't control my life.
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CMSgt Mark Schubert
SFC (Join to see) doesn't sound corny to me - and doesn't surprise me either - I hope your testimony is a lifeline for someone else - it's working because you believe it - and it will work for others if they believe also. God speed!
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SFC (Join to see)
I have many friends that I have made throughout my career and still make friends in others who share the hurt. I am always willing and able to help anyone of my brothers or sisters in times of need. I am not a licensed counselor, but I am a good listener who offers advice, I know the road I traveled was never easy, and there are times I feel the anxiety and anger coming back, but I manage. As an NCO in the army, I have the ability to counsel others and I have learned to listen to them instead of judging. I am here for anyone who needs a buddy to talk to.
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SSG Timothy Busch
Keep doing what your doing! Faith in god, prayer helped me quit smoking, having anxiety, smoked for 30 years. It was hard quitting. But god helped me!
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One, stop pretending that I can handle it with one arm tied behind my back and blindfolded. I talk about it with my wife when I start getting...agitated and I see my therapist regularly. Two, I push through the rough spots, don't allow myself to think that I'm alone with this, and remind myself it's not abou "begin hard."
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SFC (Join to see)
You are not alone, none of us are. But there are times as though it feels that way.
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CPT Pedro Meza
SSG Michael Hartsfield, You have done a better job then I have, I was in denial and tried to do it alone, and yes I found myself alone after a awhile divorced, after divorce. It took for a two star General that became my therapist for me to see.
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I looked for the light in the dark and found it, maybe it found me. I looked for the confidence to take control over my thoughts for over a year and found it. None of use have the illusion that beating PTSD is easy. I was hospitalized 4 times, made stupid mistakes with the Army and my family. I was destroying everything I loved including my career. The key is finding that light in the dark.
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MAJ Ken Landgren
CPT (Join to see) - I had to trick my mind into thinking more positively. That gave me a platform to work from and tackle my symptoms. My question now is, is this the best it gets? It is quite humbling to know my "new normal" is still dramatically different from what others perceive of me.
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CPT (Join to see)
MAJ Ken Landgren - I wish I could answer that for you. Every person is different. We learn and adapt though as our understanding of the symptoms improves. Your "normal" is the surface that is viewed and not the feelings underneath that they cannot see, that is why their perception of you is different. I'm sure you are aware. Don't loose heart though...I think, over time, the strength you have to supress and not react, will become a learned response and you won't have to think about it.. it just will be.
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MAJ Ken Landgren
Don't get me wrong. This is peace compared to the time I wanted a gun. Sometimes I fall into self pity lol.
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