How have you dealt with PTSD?

I am fortunate and have not had to deal with PTSD cause I only seen light combat during "Operation Just Cause" ie: the Invation of Panama. Which was nothing compared to what our troops that were deployed into combat areas after 9-11 have seen or been through.

While I was still on active duty drinking seemed to be my outlet. After I ETS'ed I tried traditional college in an apartment that was way to close to the bars. Everything seemed to get better after I found purpose and steered in to the EMS field. Started off as a EMT-B while welding, then used my GI bill to go though Paramedic School. It gave me purpose and I could see positive results due to my interventions, well sometimes. I never really went through counciling nor have I taken any meds. Drinking has been cut down dramatically and I work way to many hours (my own choice). Some days are hard, but most seem well enough.

I tried everything from self medicating (alcohol) and tried talking about my experiences with the VA but unless you have served in Nam, they had no idea what the hell I was talking about. My biggest problem, my haunts, were from an incident that occurred when I turned 19 years old while I was in the bush. I'll never forget that day and what happened because it was my birthday. The other big haunt was when I came back home to the World and the way that I was treated by those damn War Demonstrators at the air port. They treated me like I was a criminal, and outcast, with cold shoulders and I was called all kinds of names like "baby killer" and was spit on by a female demonstrator. I really wanted to deck that broad but I knew better and I kept walking. I lived with these so called haunts for so many years and finally, I stop drinking and I made peace with it by writing a book. I never talked about what really happened to anyone but I can tell you that by writing my book, I was finally able to make peace with everything. I cannot change what happened and how I was treated but at least I was able to finally put it all to rest. Now, when anyone ask me about Vietnam and how it was, I tell them to read my book. UNIFORMS IS listed on the Police Writers website (http://www.police-writers.com/david_duchesneau.html) and in the United States Marine Corps section of the Military Writers website (http://www.military-writers.com/marinecorps/david_duchesneau.html).

Yes, Every day.

I stay to myself, close the outside world and drink and smoke a nice cigar!! I know not the healthiest of ways to cope, but hard to do anything with a bum left leg that does not bend at the knee more than 75 degrees and a left hip with 2 titanium plates and seven pins! Besides I try to just concentrate on why I am feeling the way I do, (according to the doc I have seen locally once and while) but no one to talk to up here in Canada.

Drinking my single malt and that cigar on my balcony takes me to a happy place for a while or until I pass out drunk!! Hate the feeling of isolation, emptiness, anger, dred, violent tendencies and just wanting to strangle a person to death!! So I drink and stay silent and just stay in my lane.

Well I've dealt with it in 2 ways. One has been a lot better than the other.

When I first got out in 2008 and moved to Pittsburgh, I found myself with no support structure. I moved to Pittsburgh because my then wife was from here and we decided to have her move home during my final deployment. Well in 2008 my marriage was in the trash, and I quickly found myself drinking....a lot. In my head I was thinking, that I was doing a great job maintaining. I found employment and all that fun stuff. So that continued for 2 years. I was really headed towards an early grave and things weren't good. Thankfully I had an exchange with my daughter who was 3 or 4 at the time that made me realize what I was doing and since then I've gotten my drinking under control to where I don't need a drink as soon as I wake up.

After all that, I made the decision to actually seek out treatment for my PTSD. Through that treatment, my doctor asked me what was something that I enjoyed doing prior to going to combat. That one thing was and still remains to be, photography. There is just something so peaceful about being behind that lens and snapping images for others to enjoy later. Now, when I find myself stressing out, I reach for my Nikon D300S rather than that bottle of Jack Daniels. And heck, I'm making a few extra bucks doing it so that's a bonus!

If anyone is interested, you can see some of my photos at benkeen.500px.com.

I have went through 3 jobs in the last few months. The question has been asked a many times if I have PTSD, I tell them yes, I do. Sometimes I will get the 100 yrds stare, and sometimes I get crickets..

After a few years ( almost 8)dealing with PTSD, I feel that I have a little bit of control now (some what). But like everything, I have some setbacks. However I do understand that I will never be in full control of my life or emotions again. At the beginning of my journey I tried to fixed myself. So I failed bad, really bad! To the point that I have to move out of my house. It was hard for me to understand or process my sickness. So my first step was to acknowledge that I have a problem and seek help. With that came medications and therapy. I developed a CONOP to defeat my enemy, PTSD. First step, dealing with my anger and lost of memory, so I used my cell phone for assistance. For anger management, I downloaded a apps (PTSD Coach) and for the memory, I use the notes in my cell. I also downloaded apps to exercise my memory. Second step, built new memories, take family vacations. It destroyed me when my younger daughter told me "Daddy why don't you smile anymore". However I have to give you a warning, after the vacation, you are going to be physically and mentally tire. But at the end it is good for you. Last thing, it is a work in progress. Take small steps at the time, one battle at the time... De Opressor Liber!

Ramon

It is a long slow road. It was very difficult for a long time. I am much better now, but I can tell when it is rearing its ugly head and am now able to express where the feelings are coming from. There has been a lot of counseling and medication to this point hang in there it can get better.

I have issues at least a couple times a week depending on the situation. I spend a lot of time alone and on my own. Being in nature and away from people walking in the woods, hard work on the farm, fishing, hunting, shooting, taking to my best buds.