How have you dealt with PTSD?

When I returned home from my forth deployment I couldn't sleep. At night when I laid down to try to sleep my heart would start pounding, my mind would start racing and I would become super alert. It was so bad I start drinking, hoping that the alcohol would put me to sleep (bad idea). Then it came time for my 180 day post deployment check up and I told the doctor what was happening. He sent me over to mental health and they diagnosed me with PTSD. I deployed one more time before I retired. After I retired I found a civilian job right away but only lasted at it for about six months before I was let go. That's when I realized I really had a problem and I became serious about getting treatment for my PTSD. I found the local Vet Center (which is open to combat veterans, even those on active duty still) and started going to private counseling cessions with a LCSW therapist and group therapy. I also went in a saw the doctor at my local VA Clinic and he gave me consult to see mental health. There I was assigned to a psychologist who started me on meds for my sleep problems, my depression and my anxiety. I have been going through this treatment for about two years now and I feel like I have gotten to point where I can manage my PTSD fairly well. If there is one piece of advice I could give is that you have to take PTSD seriously. PTSD is not a sign of weakness, it is a sign that you survived trauma that most normal people will never experience in there life times. You need to get in and see the mental health professionals. If they prescribe the meds take them. If for some reason you are having side effects from the meds or you feel like they are not working get back in there to see the doctor right away and tell him what is going on. He can adjust your dosage or try you on another medication. In the Army I was always taking care of my mission and my Soldiers. I didn't do a very good job of taking care of myself. As leaders its is vital that you take care of yourself too.

Hmm. What a question. I take more pills then my grandparents combined and grin and bear it. Rely on my family and try not to become a statistic.

I deal with just by keeping to myself and watch what I say out loud. But at times I will drink some at home so I'm not around anyone.

I know my cause of PTSD isn't battle related but extreme stress TBI during a deployment. I use my depression and anxiety as a tool to learn from to be able to help others who have these same issues. That creates bonds and that helps more for me than the medications do.

When I came out of the military I didn't even know what PTSD was and thought later it was something that the men suffered with who were in combat. I know this was me being naïve on the whole issue. I was suffering from it and didn't know it. I allowed it to take full control of my life and I started drinking and doing drugs I even worked as hooker as I was slowly destroying what was left of me. Finally the Drs in Gulfport diagnosed me with PTSD as a result of MST in the military. Once I knew it took awhile to accept but I straightened up with their help. I still hate it because of the stigmatism that accompanies it but with therapy and meds I am still learning to cope and live with it and I found support from some family members once I opened up and told them what happened and what it is. Yes I did try and take my own life more than once but now I am learning to live life and I feel blessed for that. I also know I am not alone anymore.

Battle Creek, MI VA PTSD residential treatment.

You don't eventually it just becomes part of ur everyday activitys friends rather support u and don't say anything when u have a moment or ppl just call u crazy leavening combat u never truly leave a peace of u stays behind but something definitely comes back with u something that wasn't there befor

We have developed a program using racing to help deal with PTSD and Moral Injury - for the veteran and for their family. We are in the process of taking over Rockingham Speedway outside Fort Bragg where we are putting in a serious reintegration program.

I am the older guy now, and want the younger folks to have an opportunity to learn how to deal with it so they can not be held back during their life by its' impact.

Good luck. We will be making this happen in 2015. Please feel free to give me a shout.

Try to stay in quiet places. Extra noise like toilets running, TV's a little too loud, or cars gunning their engines outside cause me problems. I have friends I try to go see regularly that ,ive on a back country road. Their place is extremely praceful and devoid of people save for the two I'm visiting. The short term plan, in place three years now is to stayway from large crowds, and cities as much as possible. The long term plan is a quiet farm where nobody but invited guests come around. After so many unexpected loud sounds in Iraq, I'm not a fan of loud things. Artillery used to fire directly over my head on it's way to impact bad guys. I've seen short rounds hit my friends before. It was unnerving to have to sit directly under live fire 155mm.

I had a good friend of mine shot in the chest. I was about three feet behind him an a little off to the right. I was covered in blood and parts of him, I thought I had been hit also. That was 43 years ago, but it plays in mine mind like it just happened. By the grace of God, I get by.