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I hav had 12 years to deal with my PTSD. Time does heal old wounds my sleep is still my biggest problem. I still need medication to be able to sleep. Noice and crowds are diminishing every year. For the better part of my time I went and talked to doctors and it seemed to help if the Dr was ex military
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It takes a lot of counselling most of the time you don't know you have it until you are treated properly by the VA
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After 2 VietNam tours and completion of my time in service and retiring, I was called back during Desert Shield to test the to call back retirees in case of military necessity. This included a medical physical. My results were that the Dr diagnosed me with "Severe Depression." When the VA opened a counseling center, I went in. The first counselor determined that "I did not have PTSD. After several more sessions with a second, higher counselor, he diagnosed me "having extreme anger and deep depression. So, they weren't helping me. I walked out and never went back. I'm, still troubled with intense, troubling dreams that don't involve active combat conditions.
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CDR Michael Goldschmidt
Joe, the VA doesn't want to diagnose your PTSD, because then they have to pay you for it. It's easier for them to blame depression and anger on you or your upbringing. Warrior organizations have really helped me. I listed two in my response to the original question. Chances are you DO have PTSD.
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I beat myself up at the gym. I let out a lot of frustration. I hit the heavy bag. Good therapy for me.
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I beat myself up at the gym. I spend hrs there. I find it to be so relaxing even though it hurt my back and legs due to injury while in service.
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I'm not sure I even really know what PTSD is. I am a Vietnam veteran and we didn't have 'PTSD' then. I don't think I have it; the only thing I have noticed (which is a continual annoyance to my wife) is that loud noises get a non-normal reaction from me. I'm really 'jumpy' when a loud report happens near me.
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CDR Michael Goldschmidt
That's definitely a symptom, Richard. PTSD also frequently masquerades as depression. If you have trouble concentrating, your anger goes from 0-60 in less than 5 seconds, you don't like being around people or you don't feel like you fit into the civilian world: these are all symptoms. There are many more, but you don't have to have these or all of these. Please learn more and seek out other vets. Just talking with them makes a world of difference.
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