How can you tell if you have PTSD?

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Mon, 15 Feb 2016 14:14:12 -0500

How can you tell if you have PTSD? Many people ask us how they can decide for themselves whether they have PTSD. However, trying to figure out on your own whether or not you have PTSD is difficult.

RP Members share your experience or thoughts on how you could tell?

Providers who have been trained to understand the thoughts and behaviors that go along with PTSD are the best to seek out!

Response by SGT(P) Eric L. made Feb 15 at 2016 2:20 PM

SGT(P) Eric L. — Mon, 15 Feb 2016 14:20:54 -0500

I can't tell, you need to have a wife, family member to remind you of how you are acting. My wife/caregiver always keeps me on point!

Response by LTC John Shaw made Feb 15 at 2016 2:21 PM

LTC John Shaw — Mon, 15 Feb 2016 14:21:15 -0500

I could not tell, even after much insomnia, teeth grinding, reactions or over reactions to stress and finally anxiety attack that sent me to the hospital then the VA. I thought the whole thing was in my head and I just needed to control my thoughts. Bottom line, I was not willing to see the obvious and I think that is common.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Feb 15 at 2016 2:24 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Mon, 15 Feb 2016 14:24:59 -0500

Depression, loss of appetite, sometimes insomnia, anxiety, pit in stomach, racing thoughts, foreboding thoughts, anger, darkness.

Response by SSG Audwin Scott made Feb 15 at 2016 2:27 PM

SSG Audwin Scott — Mon, 15 Feb 2016 14:27:49 -0500

I had to go through VA counseling to find out I had it. I didn't even know what was wrong with me.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Feb 15 at 2016 2:34 PM

COL Charles Williams — Mon, 15 Feb 2016 14:34:59 -0500

COL Mikel J. Burroughs Having dealt with PTSD a leader (with both First Responders on post and in Combat), and personally, and having an educational background in clinical/counseling psychology, I would say "never think you can decide for yourself." If you think you have signs or symptoms, you need to seek help from a provider that understands PTSD.

PTSD is also not just a military issue. First Responders deal with this a lot, as to many others - car accidents, assaults etc. My wife dealt with it after being run off the highway by a truck and totaling a car. She still deals with it every time she drives. PTSD is a very real issue, and we often (as a country) trivialize mental health issues as people who are just weak.

I don't consider myself mentally or physical weak, but there were (less now) certain things that triggered very bad memories for me, that I needed some help with. For me, talking about them was the key. This is not something most can easily do with anyone.. For me, these were not things I could not/would not share with my wife, despite her caring and trying; it is just not easy to do for me... for most I would say.

The military and the VA are very good at determining if you have signs or symptoms. If you are not happy with what they say (as the VA often is trying not to service connect and compensate for issues), you need to seek a competent civilian side provider.

No matter what path you choose, you need to seek assistance, as it there waiting for you.

Response by SFC Wesley Arnold, Jr made Feb 15 at 2016 2:43 PM

SFC Wesley Arnold, Jr — Mon, 15 Feb 2016 14:43:50 -0500

I would start with what was first notice systems in myself ... hypervigilant, anger, guilt (depression), not just insomnia but nightmares.

It manifests differently in everyone, it would be helpful to have someone to talk about things they see in you (without talking about the traumatic issues).

http://www.m.webmd.com/mobile-search/default.htm?query=PTSD

WebMD Health Search

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Feb 15 at 2016 3:52 PM

SSG Warren Swan — Mon, 15 Feb 2016 15:52:53 -0500

I thought I was fine. A lot more arrogant, but that was I guess post deployment high. Six month PHA screening brought the house down, and a few sessions with mental health said it for me. I never thought I had a problem. Part of me still doesn't.

Response by CMSgt Mark Schubert made Feb 15 at 2016 6:00 PM

CMSgt Mark Schubert — Mon, 15 Feb 2016 18:00:54 -0500

>How can you tell if you have PTSD?
You can't decide for yourself - if you THINK you have PTSD, but have never been diagnosed, I strongly advise you to seek professional assistance! There are many symptoms that are similar to other diagnosis and this particular area requires professional assistance. Also - as a reminder, PTSD is not a terminal condition. There are many treatment options to manage the symptoms - you do NOT have to be on meds the rest of your life. No two cases are alike - so what works for one person might not work for another. I'm convinced that there is a treatment option that WILL work if you want to seek it out.

Response by Doug Macdonald made Feb 15 at 2016 6:43 PM

Doug Macdonald — Mon, 15 Feb 2016 18:43:51 -0500

COL Mikel J. Burroughs, A civilians experience is all I can provide. It's a little different but not much. As a civilian who had to experience 5 amputations & a traumatic spinal injury, in the period of 3 years, PTSD was never mentioned.

From my experience, it's a highly overlooked area of diagnosis amongst civilians. I had to go through all the symptoms assuming it was just part of what I had to overcome from the traumatic change in my life. It wasn't until I was talking with a friend of mine, U.S. Army with PTSD, that I found out all those individual symptoms were the same as his.

It didn't take a genius to put 2 and 2 together. He managed to help me with recognizing some of my triggers. From that point on we dealt with it together. I am happy to say that it is now just a small part of my memories. I continue to look forward and not back. The future has nothing but possibilities.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Feb 15 at 2016 8:21 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Mon, 15 Feb 2016 20:21:35 -0500

After the concussions I have experienced I was probably the last one to realize that I had experienced any symptoms COL Mikel J. Burroughs. Others tended to be better able to discern changes and some good medical personnel asked me questions which caused me to reevaluate what i thought my mental status was.

Response by PO1 Nathan Watts made Feb 15 at 2016 11:01 PM

PO1 Nathan Watts — Mon, 15 Feb 2016 23:01:59 -0500

What if you're just bitter? Not the passive "gee I'll always hate what happened" jaded feeling - I mean a deep seated anger and rage at the world around you - absolutely pissed off 100% of the time and the only mechanism you use to hide it from those around you is through unedited humor?
Here's the kicker though - and this makes you even angrier - you have no "legitimate" reason to feel this way. You have no Combat Ribbon - yet you are *really, REALLY* po'd at some of the things you saw and experienced - even though you know the moment you bring something up some smart a** in a perpetual D size contest will put you down in .02 seconds flat, call you a "POG," and bring up stories of his buddies and all the horrors he / she / and they experienced?
You see?
Some of us are stuck in mental purgatory - a limbo - that we don't talk about even among the rest of our military brothers and sisters because of the instant offhanded dismissal that will occur from our own peers.
The fact is, I have stared at my response for two hours now, contemplating even posting this, because I know for a fact there will be those who immediately "psshht" and relegate the post to being one of whining.
...and the anger train feasts within me evermore.
(*Not saying I have PTSD - but there is definitely a deep seated rage that I am simply keeping in check solely because I have a wife and children. Without them - I am nothing.)

Response by CPO David Sullivan made Feb 16 at 2016 3:45 PM

CPO David Sullivan — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 15:45:18 -0500

Flashbacks and fear of noises, crowds... Filed a claim with VA and was sent to a Psychiatrist. Was Diagnosed and VA made 50% disabled took less than a year...

Response by Sgt Sherry Taylor-Bruce made Feb 16 at 2016 3:56 PM

Sgt Sherry Taylor-Bruce — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 15:56:21 -0500

You need to get enrolled in the VA Healthcare system if you're not already. You'll then start the evaluation process. Most likely you'll see a clinical social worker for triage. From there you'll see a psychologist or psychiatrist for diagnosis. If you want talk therapy most likely you'll be set up with a psychologist for regular sessions. If medication is prescribed you'll be set up for follow-up visits usually with a Nurse Practitioner to make sure you're on the right meds and dosage. The VA offers group therapy for PTSD if you and your Dr feel it will help.

With that said it doesn't matter what and when you experienced trauma, before, during or after the military. Your doctor's are there to help you.

My trauma sort of built up in stages, first I lost a very good job due to the affordable Care Act at the end of 2010 then had trouble finding another job. In 2013 I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer, the morning after my surgery I found my husband had passed away in his sleep. I still have flashes of finding him, calling 911 and attempting CPR. My VA records don't reflect PTSD but have a diagnosis of severe depression and anxiety. To me it doesn't matter what they call it, they are there to help me deal with it. My psychologist tells me she uses many of the same treatment plans with me as she does with her PTSD group.

Bottom Line is if you don't feel like you're in control most of the time then you need to seek help. That's what the VA mental health services are for.

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made Feb 16 at 2016 4:14 PM

CPT Pedro Meza — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 16:14:01 -0500

Trying to do it by your self is hard because of self denial, so the best solution is to listen to those that know/knew you that you have changed, also nightmares, bad dreams, and emotional reactions when seeing movies. Listen to others for sure.

Response by SSG Jeremy Jennings made Feb 16 at 2016 5:04 PM

SSG Jeremy Jennings — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 17:04:15 -0500

A lot of folks here have said, "don't self-diagnose" and "consult a professional" but it's not that simple. I knew I wasn't right after I got out, and I went to the VA like I was supposed to and mentioned anxiety, anger, sleep issues, etc. and how long it had all been going on and they promptly accused me of self-diagnosis and fishing for a PTSD diagnosis for a claim. They scolded me for not exercising and eating poorly and gave me some prescriptions for pills and a trainee counselor who's comments consisted of, "gee, that sounds terrible. Don't know what to say." 6 months later my scrips ran out and my psychiatrist had retired so I fell off the follow-up schedule and out of the system and they looked at me like, "who the F are you?" I didn't go back for two years.

A Vietnam vet recommended the Vet Center and I found a competent psychologist there who opened my eyes to what was going on with me. The VA had convinced me that my problem was that I was a melodramatic, malingering shit-bag and imagining things. It took over a year of the doctor countering my arguments against a PTSD diagnosis and talking with other vets to come to the point where I could even file the paperwork for a claim. It was an incredibly humiliating and painful experience getting the VA to diagnose me and treat me. Sometimes it feels like the scarlet letter, like I'm tainted by "PTSD" forever. Even now, I see a civilian therapist because the VA has consistently treated me like a burden, like a difficult child, like they wish I would just shut the F up and go away.

Get help if you need it, from anyone and in any way you can. The diagnosis is secondary in my mind, perhaps even harmful. If you or someone who knows you thinks you have some issues, do something about it. But know that you can only ever learn to manage the symptoms, there's no going back. You are changed forever and have to learn to live with the horror and all of your dirty deeds.

Response by SR Terrilynne Porst made Feb 16 at 2016 5:07 PM

SR Terrilynne Porst — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 17:07:58 -0500

I think age can play a roll in trying "self" diagnosis of PTSD.

In 1990, I was 19 when I was discharged from the Navy for "personality disorder", after being in only 7 months (hence the SR designation with my name...lol). I was gang raped on ship, and had attempted suicide. After spending 4 days in the psych ward, I was returned back to the same ship. After having to deal with the same people, attempting suicide again, and refusing to sign a statement that I will not kill myself,they discharged me.

After my discharge, I used alcohol and drugs to deal with life. I needed them to sleep, to work, to go anywhere, etc. I got married in Dec. 1991, left him a month and a half later. Had a son Aug. 1992. I got engaged in Feb. 1998, ended it in May 1998. Had a son in Nov. 1998. In 2001, during a custody battle for my oldest son, I had to quit the drinking and drugs, so my doctor put me on an antidepressant. After that, I just felt numb to anything and everything. To family and co-workers, I was normal. But feeling numb (no emotions,no crying, no empathy, to loving), is NOT normal.

It was not until 2012, when I finally got into the VA system that I was diagnosed with PTSD. I had the been suffering since 1990.

Basically, if you think you might have PTSD or someone close to you says you should talk to someone, go visit a Mental Health professional as soon as possible. Many people think it a sign of weakness (mostly males), but it is actually a sign of strength to admit you need help. By the time I got help, I had ruin my life AND THE LIVES OF MY SONS.

Response by SSG Jesse Cheadle made Feb 16 at 2016 5:35 PM

SSG Jesse Cheadle — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 17:35:15 -0500

Yes, the hidden wounds.

Where to begin?

First: Education. If you are not educated you wont know. Get familiar with the signs and symptoms. If not for yourself then for your Soldiers.

I suppose I thought I may have had an issue when my family began making statements like you don't seem yourself. Are you ok? Why dont you do things with us anymore? Why dont you like going out with me anymore? Why do you flip out over the small things? These may very well point to some things that haunt us without even knowing it.

Self realizations:
Dreams. When we wake to pain and tears instead of smiles or chuckles of pleasure, that may be a sign. Decreased sleep and inability to get restful sleep may be an indication.
Alcohol and drugs: Increased use of alcohol or use of drugs is a major red flag.
Interactions: If your social life is limited to work and television and gaming, you may be isolating and not even knowing it. Comments from the troops may open your eyes to this issue. SSG, I have not seen you out anymore. RED FLAG.
Irratibility: If you were the occasional flame now turned eternal flame, this will be a good indicator. Sure it can be a sign of, "I need to take leave or vacation" but when that flame does not exhaust, pay attention to it. Again, feedback from the field. It may just be positive criticism you need to hear.

Ailments like anxiety, nervousness, restleness, flashbacks, worrying too much, guilt, worthlessness, helplessness, increased alcohol use and "unfinished business" are all red flags.

Realizing you may be suffering may not be so obvious.

I live with it and so can you. There is a better life for all of us. It is not weakness. It is strength. Identifying and understanding your Soldier or family member may be suffering is paramount as a leader.

Be honest. Next time you visit the doctor, BE HONEST! Your only hurting yourself.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 16 at 2016 11:59 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 23:59:05 -0500

Tell them to go to behavior health if they are struggling. It is OK.

Response by TSgt Gerald Wilson made Feb 17 at 2016 9:27 AM

TSgt Gerald Wilson — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 09:27:58 -0500

+1 for "not willing to see the obvious" where, it's obvious to other people in your life that the present version of you is different. I read a list of symptoms in a brochure or something and decided I'd go talk to somebody but NOT the military. Depression, anger, anxiety, being reactionary, guardedness to the point of paranoia - and that's the mild version. What I have concluded is that you're not going to wake up someday and just be "back to normal." There is only navigating the new landscape. I was helped a great deal by this book: "Surviving Survival" by Laurence Gonzales. (The author's style is NOT trite self-help 7 steps to bla bla bla. It's very sincere and more of a study. Gonzales is excellent.) Best wishes.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Feb 17 at 2016 12:29 PM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 12:29:37 -0500

I guess running and denial only go so far. I got back from Iraq in 2004. I just figured the things I went through after getting back was winding down - waking up in the middle of the night on my knees pounding my pillow with my fists, not having a good night's sleep since I got back, I got pissed off once and wrapped around the axle and broke my unit cup collection and at the same time I threw away all my wall plaques in the fire. Later on I burned all my old uniforms and got rid of most my military stuff in the house. Yet I felt I had no problems, I could work, was getting along with my customers. The next year I was filing a claim with the VA and my cousin who had worked many years with POWs said I needed to file for PTSD. I looked at her strangely and said I had no problems, yet she insisted I did. I never wanted to go for it because I know I never had any problems - I wasn't in a combat unit. Yet I didn't take in the thought that maybe previous deployments have played a roll in my being.
Living in Denmark there is no easy help here. There's no vet around close to me and no VFW like places to go, I just deal with it. I've got a VN vet friend living in Portugal, but that's once a year. Anyway I figured I was strong enough to deal with it, after all I haven't been violent, I can hold a job. Yet one night I got to watching reruns of M.A.S.H. No longer was the show funny to me. I'd find my self crying by the end of an episode. It was amazing how I could relate to a majority of them. I'd be on patrol many nights like many of you probably do. On night I killed two different guys in my dreams - I woke up in a sweat and couldn't go back to sleep. Was a little afraid to sleep the next couple nights.

I've tried to get Danish doctors to do the VA thing, but none want to go through the paper work and all the VA process. I was sent down around Frankfurt for a VA exam last year about some lung problems I got. There the doc got to doing the 100 question thing and ended up sending me to a sleep clinic where they determined "I had a problem".
I didn't want PTSD associated with my name as I've read a lot about things other vets have gone through, but after the sleep thing and starting to "go on patrol" more lately I finally buckled down and filed a PTSD claim. I don't really think I got it, but I'm just a grunt. So in March I got an appointment in K-town, so will head down to see what the shrink has to say.
I guess it's a compounding factor of things. The biggest thing is it is so hard for me to get help over here, plus I wasn't in a combat unit and I feel there are others far more needing than I am. But I'm going for the exam and find out what they say. I guess for me, it's taken a long time to do something because I never felt I am there and got a problem.
Anyway I just wanted to unload a bit because I bet if living OCONUS is a factor, then I'm wondering if others OCONUS have the same problems getting exams, taking with vets and such. Once thing for sure, I'm glad for this site. I feel l can "talk it out" here.

Response by COL Ted Mc made Feb 17 at 2016 1:25 PM

COL Ted Mc — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 13:25:34 -0500

COL Mikel J. Burroughs - Mikel; Like many others, I had to be told.

Once you are told, it takes several bouts before you are able to recognize your own individual pattern to the brink (and, sometimes, beyond) - until that time you MUST have a "watchdog".

If you THINK that you MIGHT have PTSD, then you probably do and you should have the possibility ruled out as soon as possible.

Remember, PTSD comes in many flavors and strengths so just because you aren't showing the same symptoms as someone you know who HAS been diagnosed with PTSD that doesn't mean that you don't have PTSD as well.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2016 1:50 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 13:50:39 -0500

had a friend of mine served vietnam navy seal, while i was in iraq he began to have flash backs hospitalized 3 months, PTSD, i came back ffrom iraq diagnosed with ptsd, 50%, i never even thought i had it until my life, family and world came down around my shoulders, i have since gone to the va, got on better meds and went thru cbt for ptsd, my life is better but it will never be the same i'm divorced, i retired, and well its a bitch but at least i can cope better

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2016 1:50 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 13:50:24 -0500

The big issue with PTSD is that it is very much a blanket diagnosis, and it can be easily misdiagnosed. Did you know that a nutrient imbalance in your body can produce many of the same symptoms as PTSD and TBIs? Most people do not know this. Insomnia, coppery taste in the mouth (often related to the taste of blood through a flashback), restlessness, anxiety, RLS, and even acute paranoia can all be caused by poor nutrition.
I was diagnosed with PTSD back in 2014. I have never been deployed. So, especially in the Army circles, it is often called into question whether my PTSD is legitimate. And I can definitely understand why. But often, people never know until they are diagnosed.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2016 11:20 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 11:20:54 -0500

I have never thought of it like that. My spouse at the time knew and told me... I just knew I was depressed, like the worse I had ever been.. and still being active duty there was no way I was going to tell a Mental Health person what was going on in my head. I had seen several people get burned in my unit just for wanting to talk to someone, so I wasn't going to walk down that road.

But overall.. I knew I wasn't allright.

Response by Capt Tj Feeley made Feb 20 at 2016 5:55 PM

Capt Tj Feeley — Sat, 20 Feb 2016 17:55:07 -0500

I had no clue but my wife did. Took her a while to convince me to seek help but i finally did and im glad i did. Those who ate closest to you know when something changes, even if it is subtle. Lisyen to them.

Response by Cpl J Miller made Feb 22 at 2016 12:04 PM

Cpl J Miller — Mon, 22 Feb 2016 12:04:29 -0500

For me, I was having some REALLY f****d up dreams. Extremely violent and gory. But they never really "bothered" me, per se. I always woke up feeling like "well...hmm. Now THAT was odd!".

What bothered me and made me seek help was the fact that I *wasn't* bothered by the dreams. In fact, I kinda enjoyed them. So I thought I should find someone to talk it out with and figure out the underlying problems. That's when I was diagnosed.

Response by CSM Richard Welsch made Nov 7 at 2016 1:26 AM

CSM Richard Welsch — Mon, 07 Nov 2016 01:26:22 -0500

I don't think you can telllif you have PTSD and if we did who would want to admit it.It shows a sign of weakness.I call PTSD reality..

Response by SPC James Harsh made Nov 7 at 2016 8:01 AM

SPC James Harsh — Mon, 07 Nov 2016 08:01:54 -0500

I distinctly remember talking to my driver while we were out somewhere on a mission and I said, "you know even if nothing happens at least we came all the way out here." Things changed though, people tried to kill me and my shoulder got jacked up and kept going on missions finally making it home and no one was spitting but people suck and fast forward through all the b.s. that happened, I spent the weekend in jail and got closer to turning it around. These days I try to avoid anything that may disturb things. I knew I had ptsd stuff when I would get uncomfortable in public places and I pushed people away and considered suicide, hope that helps