What to do about sudden onset PTSD?

SSG Robert Bramlett — Fri, 22 Aug 2014 18:31:19 -0400

So i have been out of the army for a little over two years and out of combat for longer and never had any issues of PTSD at all but all of a sudden after three years i find my self only sleeping about two hours a night having nightmares and waking up violently at times just soaked in sweat and yelling out like im back in combat my girlfriend has made me start sleeping in the guest room not sure how to get rid of this just want to be normal again

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 22 at 2014 6:42 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 Aug 2014 18:42:54 -0400

Have you signed up for Healthcare with the VA? There are multiple programs available - some VA, some other organizations. Find a VFW Post and contact their Service Officer - if you have difficulty at any level please contact me here.

Remember this: You are NOT alone!

Response by SSgt Gregory Guina made Aug 22 at 2014 7:11 PM

SSgt Gregory Guina — Fri, 22 Aug 2014 19:11:45 -0400

Find help where ever you can whether it be the VA or through any other provider. You shouldn't try and do this alone.

Response by SPC Paul Prevost made Aug 22 at 2014 8:09 PM

SPC Paul Prevost — Fri, 22 Aug 2014 20:09:19 -0400

there is nothing sudden about your onset of your PTSD issues. It just means that you have had it all along but your mind and body was suppressing it. My only symptom for the first few years was my anger/rage issues. I didn't realize I was having night time symptoms because my drinking and my job kept me suppressed. Get help now. The sooner you get some counseling the sooner you can get control, or at least more control. I used the Army One Source 800 number to get free private civilian treatment for 6 months, I do not know what they have now but you can try that first or just go to the VA and sign up for your benefits and start seeing some doctors. If you wish to ask more questions contact me via facebook and check these out too. https://www.facebook.com/paul.prevost https://www.facebook.com/groups/warfighterrightsmovement/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/ [login to see] 84216/?fref=nf

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Aug 22 at 2014 9:26 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Fri, 22 Aug 2014 21:26:58 -0400

The actual term is called "Post-traumatic Stress Disorder with Delayed Onset" Diagnostic Criteria 309.83 (if onset of symptoms is at least 6 months after the stressor). It is not strange at all. We are excellent at masking our traumas as human beings. It is yet another survival mechanism that keeps us going. If we aren't ready to deal with something, we just file it deep in the back of our memory and convince ourselves that we will deal with it later (or not). If we catch ourselves slipping, we change our lives to help keep it in the back. We drink, do drugs, avoid certain triggers like people we knew at the time, etc, etc, etc. But these are temporary fixes. Sometimes that "dam" needs to burst or something happens that overrides our ability to deal with it. Sometimes it is a smell, or a taste, a dream/nightmare, a story, or even something as simple as a word. What caused the onset of the symptoms IS NOT the problem. It is just a useful tool for the therapist to determine the underlying trauma. Get your butt to mental health. If you know what is really troubling you, write the things down that are starting to come to the surface, again, and again, and again. Talk them out with someone who you have trust in again, and again, and again.......and again. Your therapist will work this all out with you. Don't try to gut it out. You aren't weak. Strong men and heroes like Audie Murphy were plagued with PTSD all their life, by refusing to get help.

Response by 1LT Nick Kidwell made Aug 22 at 2014 10:01 PM

1LT Nick Kidwell — Fri, 22 Aug 2014 22:01:35 -0400

SSG Robert Bramlett I would say get yourself to the nearest VA or Vet Center pronto. You are having active symptoms as are experienced by millions of your fellow veterans, and the sooner you are able to work with a competent clinician the better.

Sad to say, you will never be how you were before the military, but a competent clinician will be able to help you cope with the symptoms, identify/avoid the triggers, and move forward with your life.

Out of concern for a fellow veteran, I ask that you please give us an update when you have made contact with a clinician.

http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/PTSD-overview/basics/how-common-is-ptsd.asp

How Common is PTSD? - PTSD: National Center for PTSD

Find out how many people have PTSD and who is most likely to develop PTSD.

Response by SPC David S. made Aug 22 at 2014 10:53 PM

SPC David S. — Fri, 22 Aug 2014 22:53:10 -0400

SSG First thanks for sharing this with all of us here. Also kudos in recognizing that something different is going on. PTSD is very real and is something that should be handled in the same way as if you had a broken leg and that is by a health care professional. As what you describe your current sleep pattern you could be dealing with PTSD. Please get this checked out. I had a Ranger friend that wasn't as open minded as yourself and in my opinion made things much harder than they needed to be so again thank you for sharing this. As you will find you are not alone in this and we're all here for you. If you ever need to talk hook up with me here or on facebook. Also stay away from phones and tablets before trying to hit the rack as the light from them can be disruptive with trying to get some sleep.

Response by SSG Robert Bramlett made Aug 23 at 2014 1:36 AM

SSG Robert Bramlett — Sat, 23 Aug 2014 01:36:26 -0400

thank you to all the links are helpful i am going to the va on monday and have made contact with a local support group and will be at a meeting tomorrow will keep you informed

Response by SSG Robert Bramlett made Aug 23 at 2014 2:58 PM

SSG Robert Bramlett — Sat, 23 Aug 2014 14:58:16 -0400

well i just got back from the meeting with the support group and i have to say it is a nice feeling to know that there are other people that understand exactly what i going and are willing to help a fellow sufferer even when they are still suffering them self's they seem like a good group of guys and i believe it will be beneficial to spend time with the group and hopefully i will be able to get through this with some Semblance of normality

Response by SPC Paul Prevost made Aug 24 at 2014 9:14 PM

SPC Paul Prevost — Sun, 24 Aug 2014 21:14:31 -0400

I think the most important thing I do is reassure you. The symptoms you suffer may make you feel like you are broken and dysfunctional, Press through them, like the guys are saying, reach out and talk to a buddy when ever you feel the desire or need. There are hundreds of thousands of people who suffer the same way we do, and I have learned that talking with others that have been there and gone through some of the same things helps almost as much as all the head shrinking. The first few years I fought to fit back into my old life, I even get married again, nothing worked. Even 2 stays at a PTSD clinic did not help much until I found Boone Cutler on line and started following him. His message to all of us is simple, We are not broken, we have been injured but we are still Warfighters and we do not need to assimilate into the civilian world. We can lead productive lives as Vets with PTSD without having to give up who we have become. I am proud to be a Warfighter who battles PTSD, I will prevail and one day I will find a balance in my life that will allow me to live with my PTSD instead of battling it every day, I know now I will most likely live the rest of my life with PTSD but I still go to therapy and every month I make progress towards a better life. Finding a cause to work for has made a big difference. Every warfigher needs two things to survive, a mission and a battle buddy. Reach out to your battles and find a mission.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 14 at 2014 2:51 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 14:51:10 -0400

How goes things SSG Robert Bramlett ? Are you hanging tough? Continued prayers from AZ. Mark

Response by SFC Robin Gates made Sep 15 at 2014 2:02 PM

SFC Robin Gates — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 14:02:05 -0400

Veterans Resource Groups! To Help Vets. Active, Reserve and Retired! All Branches!!!
TheQuakerhouse- Ft Bragg @across U.S.
icombatstress.com
#Teamicombatstress.com
http://www.warriortalkradio.com/about.html
http://soldiersangels.org/
http://www.adoptahero.us/
http://homefrontheroes.com/
https://twitter.com/HomefrontHugs
http://twitpic.com/dwti6f
http://icombatstress.com/
http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/
http://www.herobox.org/
http://concernedveteransforamerica.org/http://cv4a.org/
updates @jobsforvets.
swords-to-plowshares.org
http://www.warriortalkradio.com/
https://t.co/R9yazcnebu
hiringourheroes.org
http://www.taps.org/
http://www.military.com/
http://www.bootcampaign.com/
Suicide Prevention Hotline [login to see] @_CFJ_
http://militaryexperience.org/veterans-ptsd-project/
http://militaryexperience.org/vpp-support-forums/
http://ow.ly/ve0vG
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B7RGlU1xaLNaUlk4VEVtN2MzMVU/edit?pli=1
http://patriotoutreach.org/be-still.html
http://tiny.tw/3iNI The Shift Network
http://www.pushupsforcharity.com/
http://lz-grace.com/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgkM6uHKA_w&feature=youtu.be
http://https//twitter.com/AirmanKolfage
http://abusesanctuary.blogspot.com/2012/01/narcissists-cause-ptsd-for-their.html?m=1
http://veterandiy.com/
iava.org
http://rebootrecovery.com/military-ministry/
http://icombatstress.com/the-battalion/
http://healingfromcomplextraumaandptsd.wordpress.com/
operationiv.org
facebook.com/arsbellumfdn
http://www.usamilitarymomsandangels.org/
https://www.facebook.com/wardogranchNon Profit Organization providing rehabilitation through nature for our disabled veterans!http://www.gofundme.com/wardogranch Donate and Share!
gotyour6.org

About
http://www.warriortalkradio.com

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 9 at 2015 7:49 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 19:49:58 -0500

Get diagnosed ASAP.

Response by PO3 Brad Phlipot made Dec 9 at 2015 8:13 PM

PO3 Brad Phlipot — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 20:13:28 -0500

WOW! I have never heard of this as my situation was with me before getting out of the hospital and has been very well treated as I did research before seeking help. I chose a private family practice and received great care, not a pill pusher and have been on the same meds without change for over 15yrs. If I can help connect with me and text me. Do not give up or withdraw.

Response by SSG Robert Bramlett made Dec 10 at 2015 5:41 PM

SSG Robert Bramlett — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 17:41:34 -0500

hey guy thanks for the support i have not been on here in about a year i went to stay in a treatment facility as my issues got worse to the point of uncontrollability but for the last 6 months i have been receiving treatment and am glad to say im finally able to sleep for around 4-6 hours a night with no interruptions i have even moved back home and am able to go back to work in a few weeks so again thanks for all the support HOOAH