Anyone with PTSD

I have PTSD, and have been having alot of trouble with it lately. Any 10th warriors if ya can throw me sum advice on how ya deal please do. Not sure why but its becoming overwhelming. I dont know if its related to the issues Im havin with my bloodpressure or what. Dont reply with go to the Dr either because ive been doing that for 3 fukin years and they dont help. Anytime I have to go to the VA my symptoms increase dramatically bc Im just a number with them. They jus wanna give meds and move on. FFFFUUUUUUUKKKKKKKK:mad:

Post traumatic stress syndrome?
I'm convinced I have it, but I've never gotten a diagnosis. Meditation helps me, sleeping pills, philosophy might change the way I view the world, and that might help me relax.. A nice girlfriend helps, but a crazy one makes it worse.
I'm just a person, I'm not a doc, and I might not even have PTSD, (but I'm pretty damn convinced) I can't afford time or money to get a diagnosis, I don't bother. I'll go see a shrink when I have a better job.

How does it manifest itself? Anxiety? Screwed up sleeping pattern? Lack of concentration?

There's probably a psychiatrist or someone capable on here that will post soon! :)
-Oh, I hope you get well soon! It's probably worse in some periods.. then it gets better.

Anxiety for sure, anything lately has been a trigger. Heart starts racing and the panic starts from there. Just for instance something that has never bothered me before, yesterday morning my son spayed fabreeze and as soon as I smelled it I started feeling like I couldnt breathe and then it was on. This morning outta nowhere heart started racing and been dealin with it since 6am and im finally comin down from it now. Just dont know what to do. It has been consuming me for the last few weeks.

Hey Brandon. I just got back from my second tour to iraq. Total ive been over seas for 22 months. Ive experienced and seen some crazy shit and idk if its ptsd but its always intense and vivid dreams that get me. Wake up in a panic sometimes still think im in iraq. Look for my weapon and dont feel safe without it. What helps me is just to stay busy. I go to the gym practice jiu jitsu work on my truck and just keep reminding myself im not there anymore and im not going back cause i get out in a few months. Im not a doctor or anything either but sometimes it kust helps to talk and know your not the only one. Head up bro! I hope you stay safe. Message me any time. I come on here almost any day.

Thank you Will, it totally does help to just talk and know im not alone. You are so right in tryin to stay busy. It took me a long time to stop lookin for my weapon when I would wake up from the nightmares. Marijuana keeps me from having the nightmares but not being in a medical state I dont have the access to the proper strains. I appreciate your service brother.

how are your sleep cycles? Are you getting at least 7 hours of quality sleep each night? By quality sleep, I mean not waking up at 2am with your mind racing about random bullshit. My psychiatrist recommended this and it's been a god-send. It has something to do with how your brain reproduces neurotransmitters during certain points along the sleep cycle.

2 weeks of good, quality sleep is what is normally takes me to start feeling better. Without good sleep, the anxiety takes a vicious hold. I can't walk into crowds or large buildings without feeling like the world is closing in around me.

disclosure: aside from therapy, I also take a low dose SSRI (celexa) and a folic acid supplement (Deplin) to help regulate my serotonin levels. 2 years ago, I was just like you; living with the effects of PTSD and fearful of taking prescription meds. I finally found a great psychiatrist who isn't your typical white coat quack. It's made a huge difference in my life. My best advice is to find a capable psychiatrist who does full 1 hour therapy sessions...not 15 minute medicine management sessions.

I wish you the best.

There aren't many who practice it, but if you can find a therapist, psychologist, or neurologist who utilizes neurofeedback you might want to consider that. Neurofeedback is broad term for a class of therapy using either a visual or auditory stimulus that the patient can control via EEG. The EEG shows what state the brain is in and the different brain waves are used to control the stimulus. The stimulus might be a tone that changes as the brain waves change or a picture on a screen that the patient controls. The "feedback" part is that the program reads the brain waves and as the patient spends more time in the right state -- particularly alpha-wave -- they get better and better at controlling the stimulus. It's like guided meditation that uses an EEG and a simple interface that tells you how you're doing.

One program that I've seen used in kids with traumatic brain injury uses an airplane flying across the screen. I don't recall exactly how it worked, but it was something like when the child was in alpha-wave the plane went up and when they were in beta-wave it went down. The goal was to keep them in alpha as long as possible, so when the plane was "up" it flew through a series of rings or gates or something. When it went down, it missed the gates. So the kids learned to control their mental state by controlling the plane.

How that relates to PTSD, is that the alpha-wave state is the state associated with deep meditation. When you feel an anxiety attack coming on, you have been trained through the use of neurofeedback to get yourself back to that calm state and suppress the attack. Meditation alone is great, but it takes a lot of practice and unless you have a guide you don't really know how you're doing. Neurofeedback just uses an interface to tell you how good you are meditation.

He's an academic article relating to neurofeedback treatment in Vietnam vets with PTSD:

http://www.neurodynamic.info/uploads/Peniston_2_1_.pdf

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Originally Posted by Jason Hyatt

neurofeedback you might want to consider that.

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^^This

Brandon, I was not suggesting Yoga as a option, its mandatory brotha!

Healthy body, Healthy mind, Healthy soul!

Psilocybe cubensis

You might be interested in this,

http://www.amazon.com/Revolutionary-...cm_rdp_product

It's a system that says we hold all our negative emotions in our bodies and by tremouring we release all this negative energy from ourselves. It's quite new but as someone who tried it to release severe stress from my work it was quite profound. I would imagine it could significantly help with your PTSD. The concept came from a guy who worked with people who were traumatised in 3rd world countrys and he believes the body' natural ability to shake this tension out from our muscles has been lost in the Western world. Have a look and see what you think. There are some Youtube videos as well. Ignore the 1 star review the guy clearly didn't follow the instructions properly. It's impossible not to shake when you follow the protocol correctly.

Thank you everybody and fo sho Coach!!:D

Good luck with that shit man. It sucks I am sure. I only have little things to suggest. Maybe a dog, a fish, something to take your mind off things in a good way.

I know it seems sort of seems like running towards something youre trying to get away from, but I use shooting for ptsd. I have some serious issues with morning low laying fog. My heart rate skyrockets, adrenal dump, etc. etc. I guess it comes from sniper attacks in the fog. Anyways, I go out and get in position, review the ballistic charts, check windage, etc. Then I tell myself I'm in control of the bullet. I slowly lower my heart rate, focus, check breathing pattern, then squeeze the trigger. I repeat it for hours sometimes. It may not be what you're searching for bro, but it helps me more than anything.

I am a 100% disabled vet, among other thingsone of my diagnosis is PTSD, but they say its resolved. Your right, they treat us like a number, like shit, bunch of fucking virgins studying sex...but anyway. They have a combat vet center near me, maybe near you to? Group isnt bad, helps to know your not alone, and your not. Recognizeing your triggers is good, it might help you to know when to self talk, try to talk yourself down. Breathing, yoga, all that might help. At the end of the day I had to just find somewhere to leave it. For me it was my faith, but my faith is wierd. I believe in the whole Jesus died on the cross, leave it there thing, but think church sucks, like I said, I'm wierd in my beliefs. Im not here to debate them, I dont really give a shit what others choose to believe, not trying to convert you.

I smoke a lot of weed, that helps both with my physical problems, and the mental ones. The aggresion, the sence of not belonging, the focus problems, eating problems, stomach aches, sleep deprivation or sleeping all the time, its normal. Group will help a lot with that.

I hope this helps.

What are the voices in your head telling you to do?

Been there , I had to change enviorment and yoga worked for me. Regular people don;t understand unless they been. Iraq 6freedom . U.S Army 156th Infantry divison, I came back Thanksgiving 2004

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Originally Posted by Chris Herzog

Brandon, I was not suggesting Yoga as a option, its mandatory brotha!

Healthy body, Healthy mind, Healthy soul!

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Coach.. I have been trying to get this Yoga instructor to start at the school but she keeps pushing back... I think it may be cuz of the holidays... I'll try again to see when for sure she will be dropping by to start the Yoga Class...

Mike, Tony, & Ed I want to thank yall for your service from a brother in arms. Tony Im so with ya, shooting is very therapeutic and I love it. Unfortunately, my wife does not want me to have any firearms. Apparently I have "issues" lol & she is afraid for the general public if I were to be armed. Mike Im totally with ya especially with the weed, my problem is that down here peeps think they know and really dont have a clue as far a strains & what they have. Im sure you know sativas are not my friend & actually finding what I need is almost impossible. Once again thank you my family for everything, I appreciate everyone's input and will be using all the suggestions until I can find what works.

I'm glad we've moved more toward a culture of support for combat vets than we had after Vietnam, but we're still WAAAAY behind where we need to be. Unfortunately, I think we've almost made it worse with the veneer of "support the troops". What I mean is, people can feel they're being supportive by buying a yellow ribbon for their car and leave it at that. They can feel like they "supporting" the troops without actually DOING anything.

If you genuinely want to support combat vets there are things you can do -- not the least of which is to put MASSIVE pressure on the VA through a grassroots public campaign. The VA still treats vets like a commodity and not people. They get their funding cut regularly and, even when they don't, the money doesn't go where it's needed. There have been countless stories of vets with PTSD who've had their benefits denied because of "pre-existing mental conditions." Ummm, so it wasn't bad enough to prevent deploying them to a war zone but now that they're back, fuck 'em if they can't handle it?!? If you've been shot at for your country you get free health care as far as I'm concerned. I don't care what your "pre-existing" condition is. If it wasn't bad enough to prevent deployment, then you have an obligation to treat the after-effects of the deployment. Period. 100%

I'm so sorry you're having to go through all this brother. I hope you're able to find peace how ever it comes to you.

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Originally Posted by Brandon Woolsey

Mike, Tony, & Ed I want to thank yall for your service from a brother in arms. Tony Im so with ya, shooting is very therapeutic and I love it. Unfortunately, my wife does not want me to have any firearms. Apparently I have "issues" lol & she is afraid for the general public if I were to be armed. Mike Im totally with ya especially with the weed, my problem is that down here peeps think they know and really dont have a clue as far a strains & what they have. Im sure you know sativas are not my friend & actually finding what I need is almost impossible. Once again thank you my family for everything, I appreciate everyone's input and will be using all the suggestions until I can find what works.

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You not alone brotha alot of us have same problems you need anything hit me up.

Brandon, I agree with Chris about the yoga. That will help tremendously. Also, agree with the weed and the more you can find a support group to talk with people the better. It sounds like you are taking the right steps, and yes the VA sucks balls. I wish I knew more ways to help but I'm not a doc either. Can always face book me or Private message me hear if you need to vent or talk :)

Brandon, understand what you are going through, hope you have all the support you need. If you are ever stuck or need anything, just ask, from a brother in arms from uk.

Jason, you are absolutely right about the VA. Another thing the gov likes to do to us is instead of going through the process of finding out whether we have PTSD or not, they simply diagnose us with a psychological designation called "Adjustment Disorder." When you claim adjustment disorder through the VA disability claims process, it rates you jack shit. The claims process for separating military members now is backed up 5 + months. Those of us who get out and need cash dont make enough on unemployment, and by activating the Post 9/11 GI Bill is a process also. Those of us who have families struggle the most because we dont just have ourselves to feed.

Brandon, I don't know what the circumstances of the event(s) that happened to you to really be able to give you better advice. I experienced some pretty hectic things in my 2 deployments to Afghanistan. On my first deployment, we encountered many direct engagements with the enemy. On the second, even more direct engagements and I was wounded as a result of one of the events. The best advice I can give you is you have to talk to people who understand. trade stories with other combat vets, I don't mean fobbits (Those who dwelt on the FOB the whole time never to leave the wire and experience combat) If you have suffered PTSD due to non combat related events ie car accident, near drowning, mugging etc etc... I dont have any advice to offer.

stay away from booze to drown feelings. Learn to understand when your body begins to experience the anger or anxiety you feel so you can prepare yourself for the storm that's coming. find out what the triggers are. take as much you time as you need. make sure your family, friends, significant other etc understand that sometimes shit happens to you that you cant really control and one of the worst things they can do is pester you or try to argue with you when you are having an episode. PTSD sucks, but it is possible to live with it and it will get better. most important thing for me was like i said earlier, share your story with people who have been in your shoes. join a vfw and talk with the old vietnam vets. those are some of the coolest mother fuckers alive.

I am a therapist. I specialize in PTSD, but in children and adolescents. First, you can't diagnose yourself. There are too many differential diagnosis that you don't know of. Second, Ptsd is highly treatable. There are multiply modalities that reduce symptoms. Third, if you no longer function properly in life, then medication may be better than no medication. Fourth, using drugs and alcohol worsens symptomology. Withdrawals from cannabis include insomnia and depression, the symptoms you are fighting. Fifth, if the VA won't help you then you can seek out a private therapist. Many will negotiate a sliding scale fee. Sixth, look for a "seeking safety" provider in ur area; they specifically work with people in your situation. Finally, if you feel suicidal or are having auditory hallcinations, then seek immediate medical help.

My PTSD is a result of a fratricide incident in Bosnia in 1998. I was part of the QRF, one of our duties was to check on all of our guards. As yall know remfs will fuk around any chance they get. The base we were on was an aviation mostly base. We were the only Combat arms company there. There were four of us "patrolling" checking on the guards. There were train tracks that ran through part of our base. We were in a wedge formation, I was on point in the center of the tracks. We got within bout 40 meters of one of the guards. He drew down I saw it immediately told my peeps get tha fuk down. They were along the sides of the tracks so they were lower than I was. Ya know how tracks are angled or built up on the sides to where the tracks are higher up than ground level. They were able to drop down. I was caught in the middle of the tracks on high ground. The dude locked and loaded was aiming at me and I vividly remember hearing the tink, tink, tink, of the trigger pull and no bang. From here I dont know what happened, the next memory that I have is having his weapon in my hands seeing the round jammed. When he locked and loaded the bolt pushed the round at an angle so that it didnt fully load. I know this does not compare to being in a firefight in any way. It makes me feel like a bitch, nothing even happened and it fuked me up. Turned out the dude had a brain tumor and shit and jus flipped out. So considering nothing really happened, I find it hard to talk to people because to me its embarrassing. I think I would be able to understand having PTSD if I had actually been shot or shot at but noooo.. Nothing. Now to make matters worse I decided that I was better a few months ago and stopped my meds. I started them back up a few days ago. Apparently Im not a dr and not qualified to make the decision to stop meds. Yeah, I know it was a fukin dumb move. The problems that I deal with are hyper-vigilance nightmares instant anger/rage panic attacks and paranoia in group settings(stores, restaurants, things like that). I was not diagnosed with PTSD until 2009 when the panic attacks started out of no where. I apologize to all of you that were in combat because I was not. I know what I went through is not remotely the same and that makes me feel guilty for even having these issues. I really have no idea what this post will make yall think of me but I wanted all of u combat dudes to know what happened because I dont want it to seem like I am making what happened to me equal in anyway to what yall have been through. I truly appreciate everyone's input on this thread.

Therein lies your problem brother. Something did happen, something pretty fucking terrifying. My worst flashbacks didn't come from missions, unloading my weapon, or seeing my brothers in arms torn apart. They come from an incident at Fort Bragg. It was a sniper attack while we were getting ready for pt in 1994. The sniper was a fellow soldier even. Hell Brandon, I never even had a weapon in my hand! I remember running for cover and trying to carry another wounded soldier. I didn't know where the sniper was located. I didn't know how many there were. It has caused me the worst problems ever since. Do not make your story less horrific than it was! There is no difference from a full on firefight than what happened to you. In our minds it's exactly the same, terrifying.

there is nothing to be ashamed of. I only made my comments about combat because I assumed combat is why you had PTSD and to seek advice from someone who has never experienced combat is counter intuitive unless they were military oriented psychiatrists/neurologists.

To be honest with you Brandon, your situation is probably worse than the stuff anyone can experience and here's why. You say you were on your base where you are expecting to experience some modicum of "safety." Then you had someone who is supposed to have your back attempt to put a round in the chamber and fire on you and your mates. You went from 0 to 1,000,000 mph in an instant. Combat vets can at least mentally attempt to prepare themselves for what is going to happen. We expected to get shot at and blown up plus we had faith in our MRAPs that we would survive any blasts or engagements. Even to the point where some of us actually wanted to get blown up. Like i said man, you were on base completely not expecting to one of your own draw on you. Thank God his weapon malfunctioned. Sounds like he either didnt care for his weapon enough or overfilled the magazine and had too much tension on the spring.

trauma does not have to be an incident where you were shot. Trauma is any incident wherein you thought you would die, you almost died, or you saw someone else die. your incident fits within the criteria.

This is the most intense thread I've read in an long time I just want to thank you guys for going to war to protect the way of life I enjoy again thank you