I'm an OIF Combat Veteran. I fight and struggle with my PTSD, Brain injury, and day to day life. my PTSD recently reared its ugly head and I thought i had no options. My fiance called the police and i was transported via ambulance to the VA Mental Health Ward. While i can't remember anything (blacked out and don't remember anything i did that day), the cops were very professional and CARING. they allowed my service dog to ride with me in the police cruiser and ambulance.

If you're a veteran, and you feel lose or disconnected, there IS hope. The Mental Health Ward gave me the chance to focus on MYSELF, get new medications and get them right, and also gave me a safe spot that i know is always there if i need it.

now comes the part of fixing the house back, and trying to move on with my life. i see all the damage that i done (physically) but i have no knowledge of it

This is a quiet thankyou, to all emergency workers, for taking the extra time to care and worry about the problems veterans face. The world needs more people like you!

 

Thanks for your service. Everyone on this site and eveyrone in America appreciates the risks you have taken for our country and for the ability to be free. Keep your head up bro.

D

 

It hurts to hear your troubles man. And for the thousands of others who suffer like you. Your an inspiration regardless of how traumatic your story is. To hear you push on and move forward with positivity is amazing. The fact that you use your life to protect ours is a blessing.

And your right, there are big thanks to give out to the unnoticed people behind the scenes working with veterans and patients with these issues. Glad to see these people treating you with the respect and care that you deserve and need.

Just keep looking forward. Love the ones around you and be the best person you can with what you have.

Thanks

 

It's heart breaking to hear of your troubles, but it sounds like you're blessed with some good people around you, including your fiance. I'm sure there will be more than a few of us praying for you to feel better and have peace.

God bless.

 

Thanks for serving sir... I wish you the best of luck in coping with your PTSD.

 

Thanks for serving and all the best to you. Take good care of yourself!

 

Unfortunately that's not the case anymore .. if you don't stand behind them stand in front of them!

I can probably bet that everybody on this site does ..... Thank you for your service, thoughts and prayers

 

Thank you for your service.

I wish that there was more that we could do to help you guys coming back fom combat. You are all such exceptional people for doing what you do for our country.

I'm glad that you were treated professionaly and with care. It should always be that way.

I wish you, and all military service men and women, the best.

 

Crash, Americans paying respect for other American's service, should be a given. Unfortunately, that still leaves you, and many others suffering. I, who have not served, have several family members who have served and suffered the difficulties of war, dating back to WWII. I cannot thank any of you enough for your sacrifices. I will pray for your health and happiness, as I do theirs. Good luck, and God bless you.
BTW, what a great stable of vehicles you have!

 

unfortuantly, many are afraid to seek help

 

Indeed, Thank you for paying the price you have! 5 of us boys and only one who didn't do military time. Our older son is active (Apache pilot) with 5 deployments and 26 yrs. flying. I have at least a little idea of the price you've paid, but only a little. We bleed Red, White and Blue and always will. The beautiful Stars and Stripes have flown in front of our house since 9/11/01 and always will, PROUDLY!
Again, Thank you for serving!

 

Or too annoyed. I haven't had any problems with my three full trips so far, but I consistently fly to the sandbox and back with my part time flying crew chief gig, and I can see how even that could wear someone out.

For the actual redeployments from the long stays, we get asked about 10 times if we are "ok". Each time while sitting around waiting to be turned loose, I have no thoughts of the dangerous kind, but rather, how much longer we stuck here before I can go start wrenchin' on trucks.

Adrianspeeder

 

First thing, thanks for your service! This nation is stronger due to people like your that aren't afraid to put themselves in harms way.


Second, there are a TON of resources available to anyone suffering from PTSD, especially if service connected. I've found this out at our local VA hospital, and also found out those resources are available to many who didn't serve in direct combat situations.

I was going to the local hospital for some high stress/anxiety type stuff and have been referred for a PTSD screening. Once I started asking the right questions I started getting the full info.

If you have any long term issues check and see if your local hospital has a PRRC progrm. Psychsocial Rehabilitation & Recovery Center if I have the acronym correct. It's quite a bit different from a lot of the other mental health programs, both more personalized and specific to your needs. I've run into vets that have dealt with severe PTSD for years and years without finding something that sorts it out for them, and this program has straightened a lot of them out.

Long story short, if you have witnessed traumatic events in your life (combat related or not) you may at some time suffer from PTSD. For many people these things trigger like a light switch, life is normal one day and the next they fall into paranoia, rages, suicidal tendencies, etc. Until you deal with all those stresses and confront them they remain "garbage" that needs to get out somehow.

I'm not sure how big a factor PTSD was in my case. I know I've met vets who openly admit they probably wouldn't be alive if they hadn't found that particular PRRC program.


If you ever need any help finding resources or want more detailed information PM me if it isn't something you would want to post in the forum. I've heard too many stories of vets that couldn't cope taking their own lives or doing other things on a destructive path. I don't want to see that happen to another single vet if I know I can help them.