Have you told yourself, "I am protecting those I care about by not talking about what happened"?

CPL Mark R. — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 18:13:22 -0400

I have felt it was in good intent, at the same time, it seems not to get better.

Response by CPL Mark R. made Jun 23 at 2014 10:56 AM

CPL Mark R. — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 10:56:43 -0400

I value the dialogue we are able to have in order to gain fresh new perspectives in the long journey to cope and overcome such trying experiences.

To refine the question more, Let me give the background as much as others face. I have realized the more I can expose and overcome the painful thoughts the quicker we can all move on.

The people I trust in my small circle are beginning to push back on this idea and begin to downgrade the importance of wanting to talk about and diffuse any triggers. Discarding it as, "Dont start linking this to the Army"

I understand there are others I can confide in, but were talking about people that should be at this point already, although it really seems ....temperamental.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 23 at 2014 11:38 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 11:38:22 -0400

I find myself not talking to family and friends who were not there with me, I feel that they just wont understand. I always hate that condensing tone or statement "I understand what you went through", when really they don't.

I find it easier to talk with old friends who were there and know exactly what we went through and are able to talk through the events, or even friends who have had similar experiences.

My buddy suggested writing it down, as if you were writing a memoir or a novel. When he did that it seemed to help, he never wanted to get it published but it was his way of remembering in detail the events that happened and reflect on them. It also gave him a different way to view the events and format so others might understand. As far as I know his wife is the only one that read it.