How have you dealt with PTSD?

I went in patient, it was a safe zone. Traveling through the gates of gratitude and love mitigated my PTSD to the point I could attack the symptoms like: sleeplessness, anxiety, depression, pit in my stomach, racing thoughts. The last stage is to sustain my gains and not fall back into the absolute hell I was in for a year, and become cognizant of the triggers. Now I help PTSD veterans. I am their quartering party, there is no need for them to travel alone.

I chaptered out a few soldiers, but felt compelled to build them up so they become confident for the transition. I ordered them to go to the mirror and say good things about themselves three times a day. When they left they felt confident and free. I realized I had chanced upon something that could change lives.

I too at times have a very hard time trusting anyone, because talk is cheap! What gets me going is when some Psychology intern is analyizing you, and does not know nothing about the military, culture, war, honor, and sacifice. All They know is what theory he/she reads from a text book. I was so fed up with the psychology intern, about PTSD, and the intern asked why I was? "What am I? I am what you read in that textbook" was my answer. With all of the stuff going on in the world, how can you relax, because the government is not going to secure the borders. So, that is why you are always on alert and hypervilgient.

I was able to get involved with a military based non profit organization that was run by veterans that shared a lot of the same issues. They were a lot of help and support for me. In addition, helping other veterans helped as well.

Originally being told that if I needed help that I did not need to be there and was not allowed into the VA facility. This was in 1970 the year I returned from my second tour in S E A.
I continued drinking and just blamed my temper outbursts on that. I did many things wrong including hurting my wife and kids emotionally ending my marriage.
After quitting drinking and getting remarried I had health problems and while at the VA I had a major anxiety attack and was told I had PTSD. I started getting help about 38 years after I first asked. With meds and good therapy along with my very supportive wife I started a long journey to being able to cope about months ago I was told I was well. Still have some meds which I wish
I did not have. My trust in God has been a very big part of my journey along with friends.
The big deal now is trying to see triggers coming (good luck) some get through then it is coping time. Thank you for your time.

Medication, therapy, staying busy and for a while, alcohol. Been in and out of hospitals for over 3 months within the past year and now pending an MEB. I saw too many people take their last breath in Iraq and Afghanistan; men, women, and worst of all children and there was nothing I could do...GSWs, burns, traumatic amputations, shrapnel injuries, massive blood loss. It all became too much. Now like many, I rely on medication to stop the nightmares, anxiety, depression, and to fall asleep/stay asleep. I'm dealing with my demons as well as I can and am here 24/7 for anyone dealing with theirs as well.

If you haven't already done so, take the Spartan Pledge:
“I will not take my own life by my own hand until I talk to my battle buddy first. My mission is to find a mission to help my warfighter family." -Boone Cutler

Therapy, medication, friends and family and hobbies. My PTSD causes me to have very aggressive behavior. I began bodybuilding and started playing adult semi-pro football. I try to take all my aggression out in the gym or on the field. It has made a huge difference at home and work. I'm 40 years old so after the gym and football I'm usually to sore and tired to aggressive moments lol. All in all these are the things that has help me cope and become a better person. Therapy is the hardest thing to commit to but it really helps.

Poorly. Simplicity aside I have almost ruined my life, or taken it multiple times since my injury in Iraq. Most recently this weekend. My wife is gone for NCO school which makes it harder than normal, so I had my brother in law come over and reprogram all our gun safes. We have children and I don't want a stong moment of depression to leave them fatherless, taking the selfish way out. It's been hard being forced out of what you thought would be your life career, and something that was your life goal. I left home at 14 for military academy in VA and never wanted anything but military carrer. I find that challenge is what keeps you going. I just started a business last year and it saved my life literally.

Mine presents itself as hyper-awareness syndrome (with a side of anxiety thrown in)...or so I am told. Apparently going through if/then scenarios all day long is bad for you (even though it has saved my life more than once), and I wake up about once a month hearing the same explosion at what seems like the same decibel but no visual dream to go with it. Most of my engagements were far enough away that I pretended I felt safe and mildly detached (just training kicking in right?), but I'm told I have some heavy cases of irritability with dissociative tendencies to boot. There was one up very close and personal incident (within 5') that I still have dreams about. I talk a lot, re-live things through the power of YouTube and come on sites like this where I know other people are dealing with similar issues.

I fish...that is my therapy (on top of actually going to therapy...). Nothing like casting and reeling for 12 hours straight to clear the head (with the occasional fish here and there).

I tried for almost three years to deal with it on my own. Last summer it finally took a real hold on me. I was at the point of snapping and wanted to hurt someone. No problem with my family and friends only other people. I started hated people, got out of care to argue with people who i felt had done me wrong. I felt as though i would punch the first person in the face who showed signs of hatred towards me. I didn´t want to be around people. My anger level was at a point in my life i had never seen. I can´t sleep. I was flipping out at small things at home. I thought about would things be better if i was not around and if the world would not be around. With my life changing drastically i finally and with the help of my true friends i went to counseling. I am currently taking a medication and continuing my counseling sessions. It is working. I am doing better. There are a lot of others things that affect people who have this problem. I tell all no matter what rank you are in the military if you think you have PTSD seek help. Too many times good leaders focus on your people and you don´t take care of yourself. Continue to talk care of your People, and take care of yourself also. PTSD only gets worse if left taking no action on it.

I don't deal wit PTSD it works on me Hard can not keep from yelling at the people i love. I'M seeking Dr. help but nothing ive tryed has helped me to stop jumping out of my bed and yelling to the my lungs or freeking out over little stuff......