I have a question on how to be supportive of the new vets with PTSD

A1C Joe Edwards — Sun, 19 Jul 2015 19:16:56 -0400

I come across some of the younger vets that have been having difficulty with their lives because they have PTSD. I have a lot of respect for them because I never deployed, and never saw combat. Is there any way to interact with them without them getting any more messed up? I try to deal with them on a normal level, talk about good times and fun (or funny) things, or even how the VA is either helping them or if they have been screwed.
Does anyone know how to deal with them on a personal level without them withdrawing? I have 2 that I see at one location, semi regularly for one and occasionally for the other. I like these two because I have talked with them more than some of the others I have met. Any advice would be appreciated

Response by LTC John Shaw made Jul 19 at 2015 7:35 PM

LTC John Shaw — Sun, 19 Jul 2015 19:35:12 -0400

A1C Joe Edwards Joe, you are doing the right thing. Just talk about life and how they and their families are doing in their activities, job, relationships and life. If they want to share any war experiences they will. Many issues in PTSD are involuntary and not under conscious control, so I would not worry about not being able to relate to a specific war time experience. Just be there for your friends.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Jul 19 at 2015 7:39 PM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Sun, 19 Jul 2015 19:39:04 -0400

Joe, thanks for asking this. Talking to them, and listening to them is great. Don't ask them about combat - if they want to, they'll tell you. You can always check in with them. Everyone says "hey, how are you?" but most don't mean it. IF you ask it, MEAN IT...

If they are having problems, send them for help.

The VA Crisis line is [login to see] option 1.
Most counties/municipalities have a crisis line. Find out what it is in your area.
Know about treatment options in your area - vet centers, VAMC, military clinics, etc.
If you know a good clergy person/chaplain, you can refer to them.
There are many ways for vets to access counseling. For instance in Washington state, there are licensed mental health counselors who provide free counseling services (paid for by the state) in each county. This can be accessed through the state web site.

Lastly, I am a volunteer counselor for The Soldier's Project http://www.thesoldiersproject.org - we provide free counseling to vets (Post 9/11 only) who are dealing with PTSD. Counselors are licensed counselors in their state, or in some cases, clergy counselors like me. If there isn't a TSP office where you are, don't fret. Go to the website and reach out. We offer services by SKYPE, phone, email, IM, RP Mail or whatever the vet has at hand, if we are not co-located.

The worst thing you can do is NOTHING...

Response by SPC Jeffrey Bly made Jul 19 at 2015 8:02 PM

SPC Jeffrey Bly — Sun, 19 Jul 2015 20:02:06 -0400

What about vets with potential PTSD from during 9/11 itself? Is that a possible thing?

Response by CPO Joseph Grant made Jul 19 at 2015 8:14 PM

CPO Joseph Grant — Sun, 19 Jul 2015 20:14:36 -0400

I was diagnosed with PTSD from several incidents onboard submarines.

Just treat the person you are talking to like you'd like to be treated. 99.9% of us don't want to climb a bell tower and kill everyone in sight. I hate the stigma that comes from the diagnosis.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Jul 19 at 2015 9:16 PM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Sun, 19 Jul 2015 21:16:19 -0400

All you can do is support them, be there for them, encourage them and urge them to seek help.

Response by MAJ David Vermillion made Jul 19 at 2015 10:19 PM

MAJ David Vermillion — Sun, 19 Jul 2015 22:19:11 -0400

Being yourself is important, otherwise you become fake and it will show. There is no magic dealing with people who suffer from PTSD, so treating them like you would like to be treated is the best advice I can give. Great question. Good luck!

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 19 at 2015 11:37 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 Jul 2015 23:37:03 -0400

My advice to you is to get them to go to a Vet Center, if you have one in the area for counseling and support or the Veteran's Crisis Hotline @ [login to see] , press 1 or veteranscrisisline.net. They can send a text message to 838255. I myself have dealt with this problem for a very long time and with different veterans from different era's of war. I myself have gone through the VA's Mental Health Care program they call Cognitive Processing Therapy or CPT. I have also been in a PTSD Skills Group Therapy sessions. Does it work? yes if you have the support of your buddy, wife, companion, or a friend who will take the time to just listen to them. I hope this will shed some light on this subject. JK

Response by A1C Joe Edwards made Jul 20 at 2015 5:53 AM

A1C Joe Edwards — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 05:53:09 -0400

First i want to just say thanks for the responses. One of them is a female army infantry, and the other is a Marine machine gunner with confirmed kills. Both of them are having issues, and i don't know if it's NY, or if it's just the VA since they got out, but they are both having a hard time. One of the local VA's is about 13 miles of easy roads for one to go down there, but they are sending her down to the Bronx, which she told me is messing her up because it's a rat race trip and gets her anxious as hell. The Marine is not getting the help he needs, or maybe he feels rejected by the VA. Either way the logic of what's happening to them pisses me off. I don't want to try and push too hard, so far I am getting along fine with the both of them, and I just want them to feel comfortable knowing that a lot of people, not just me care about them. And yes, they do drink... a lot for the Marine so he can pass out and go to sleep.
I'm just looking for ways to interact and be supportive for them when I see them and have time to talk. By the way, I drive a safe ride van, so I am at least sober when I talk with them, and maybe i keep things in a better perspective than the other drunks in the bar

Response by SFC Daniel Faires made Jul 20 at 2015 10:41 AM

SFC Daniel Faires — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 10:41:41 -0400

Joe

Great question , besides what awesome advice has been given.
I would add this ; don't push just talk , don't pry if they want to talk they will once that relationship is based you will be surprised at what they say
Va isn't the only place to go
Find your local army national guard armory talk to whomever you find and get the name of a Family Assistance Coordinator they are able to get you an incredible amount of local cohnselers and can get that service member help , just so everyone who reads this knows
The FAC personnel will help any veteran , to receive the help you have to be honorably discharged
They will be able to help you
The national guard Will help all branches

Any questions send me a pm

Great work by the way

Response by MSgt Mike Brown; MBTI-CP; MA, Ph.D. made Jul 20 at 2015 6:22 PM

MSgt Mike Brown; MBTI-CP; MA, Ph.D. — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 18:22:01 -0400

Sir, your comment, "I try to deal with them on a normal level..." Please illuminate what makes them non-normal? Very Respectfully, MJB