How Have You Struggled?

The VA ignored my issues from 2004 - 2011. I finally managed to get a good doctor who helped me after 6 years. I did not want to address it because of my security clearance. I did not know why I was having panic attacks and was generally paranoid about everything. The day came when I finally had a breakdown - I remember it like yesterday - a total breakdown around Easter 2010. I lost about 50 lbs in 2 months, could not work, lost my job, my house, and everything except my family - it hit hard and fast - 6 years of trying to ignore my problems.

So, things have changed. PTSD is not as stigmatizing as it once was. From what I have heard PTSD is not something that disqualifies you anymore. AGAIN - if you are suffering get help... jobs come and go. Take care of yourself before it eats you alive and it is too late.

That doctor changed my life, wish I had found him 5 years earlier. Even though I lost everything, I came back with the help of a good doctor and the VA.

Some people do care, even if you don't want to go through all the details. Find someone who can identify with you, fix your problem, and move on. Life is a blessing, you may not see it now, but if you are successful at finding a path out, you'll be much stronger and better for it.

Look, the last thing I wanted to do was talk to someone about my problems so counseling did not last long - I lived it, I dreamed about it, every waking and sleeping moment was around it - replay was exhausting. Sometimes we just need some help to turn off all the noise.

After the doctor helped me, I took time off to gather my head. Since I lost my job already I was able to take a year off - go back and get a master's degree.

Summary - find a good VA doctor and don't wait for the breakdown. Do not feel like there is no way out - there always is, you just have to be creative, better yourself, and cope but do not ignore, accept this is the way it is and it is up to you to get through it.

At the end of the day, the battle is in you and only you can make the decision to end it.

How about you take care of vets the government sent to war and don't let them kill themselves in the fuckin VA parking lot...

Where does one start.. I have struggled with depression now for years. I jave also had to seek help on multiple occasions. Seeking help is sometimes the only option one has. I have noticed that there are not many resources outside the VA to ask for help. I could go on a long rant about the so called Patriot BS we help veterans in need BS non profits out there. But when a veteran is struggling mentally and financially.. Just asking for help is hard enough. But unfortunately unless you jave visible injuries then the so called veterans supporters will not assist with anything. You can try the VFW and the American legion.. But if you are not a veitnaim Veteran you are out of place. Our younger veterans walk into those places and it's filled with 80 year old smoking and drinking beer. Not very inviting. So you call the VA and they tell you to try the food banks or the VFW.. But as far as financial help you're alone. We need a way to reach the younger veterans and actually help them.

The roof fell-in on me, and I went out under medical. In processing, saw many experiencing anxiety about returning to life apart from their group. Saw an experimental program to evoke boldness, as a possible help.
I knew who I was, but felt I had to relinquish my control to unknown sources. A few suicide attempts which were (thank You Jesus) unsuccessful. Big doses of meds were helpful in a few ways. They kept me from allowing the destructive thoughts to completely possess me, and as an unexpected bonus, to do all that I could to develop my spiritual and physical abilities, which would decrease a need for the mega doses. Of course counseling, which let's you speak your perception of the problems, can in itself undo many , and a Doctor's simple response like "that's crazy", gives a choice to continue validating insanity, or to regroup.
One of the earlier treatments of a cold shower has been a great help.
Seeking ultimate Truth is a blessing that is worth all the work of divesting of lies (a continual battle), and returning to the person the Lord created. God Bless

You mean the “services” that don’t really do anything when you really need help? What’s the point of having “resources” when you reach out they have their hands tied and can’t really DO anything to assist with resolving situations that cause mental health breakdowns??? It’s amazing to me that government hands out loads of assistance to welfare or immigrants yet limits help to CITIZENS that have SERVED!!! If I am still breathing today it is because of the good Lord and only because of Him have I survived all these years…….

Most of my struggles were pre-military: poverty, homelessness, 3 alcoholic "fathers", birth defects, ADHD. Post-Navy I got master's on GI Bill, enhanced pension, many other benefits. I now run Veterans Support Group, part of VA-facilitated veteran suicide prevention coalition. Published video in PSYCHIATRIC TIMES & reducing vet suicide article in COMBAT STRESS Magazine. Can share these for free with any vet who contacts me at [login to see] .

Stop putting these veterans in harms way without a true declaration of war. Then when you have a declaration of war, bomb the hell out of the enemy before you send them in harms way. This is the absolute root cause Korea, Vietnam, Granda, Desert Storm.shield and many more have had no declaration of war. With No declaration, no soldiers are required. PERIOD.
If you do not follow this prescribed methodology, then expect less than healthy physical and mental attitudes. The soldiers/Vets will always exhibit PTSD depending on the varied degree of intensity in the war. Remember the Tet offensive (Cayson). Their was no declaration and much PTSD. Declare War and destroy the enemy. Or don't play war.

I'm long-time sober, 30+ years without a drink or a drug, and would not still be on this planet without the help I get from AA, which I was originally introduced to while on active duty at Fort Hood in 1986. Yes, that's six years from my first AA meeting to sobriety. I have a very hard head.

I hit a new bottom with money and debt in 2008 and experienced suicidal thoughts between 2010 and 2012, more than I ever had before, including during active alcoholism and drug addiction. It again took six years -- including two years as a homelessness veteran and a near-fatal illness that was 80-90% preventable had I not had a death wish -- before I gained freedom from incurring new unsecured debt, which is called solvency in DA (Debtors Anonymous), a complete and total game changer for me.

This second recovery not only dealt with my money problems which included not only my imprudent propensity for borrowing but also the underlying symptoms like spending too much and earning too little and the underlying feelings of worthlessness and obsession with a lifetime of professional and personal failures, financial and otherwise. Let's not forget my obsession with money and stuff too, especially stuff that other people and I felt entitled to.

Nine years into my solvency, I'm happier than I've ever been, still deeply engaged in my recovery from both alcoholism and compulsive debting. Thanks to recovery and the 12 Steps / 12 Traditions, I haven't had a suicidal thought in more than a decade. I invite you to take a look at https://debtorsanonymous.org/ to see if this might help you too.

The Dr's at VA say they are listening to you but they are not really listening,,,
At the end of the day, they make the final decision on your Health, you have no input on the course of action on your health,,either take the plan of action they have or don't,,,if you become a a pain or start complaining,,,they Label you as something is wrong with you..

Only because you're fighting for your Health.....

VA Mental health groups, VA walking groups, VA bicycling groups, NVGAG groups.