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PTSD
- Thread starter karlvv30
- Start date
Have you tried Grindr?
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- Oct 22, 2019
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I still will never admit it but I’m told I’m the definition of it. Sleep on the floor as I’ve been doing for 15 years I don’t feel right in a bed, always on alert and quick to act to are towards every little thing. I came to the conclusion it may be the only thing keeping me alive at this point.
Struggled with it for about 17 years now. There is no one size fits all solution. Talked to more than a couple psychiatrists and psychologists. Didnt feel like that helped at all. Psychiatrists just want to throw pills at you. None of those worked for me either.
Something I almost forgot to add, (thoughts wander a lot and memory sucks) that has really helped me is my dog. I got a weimaraner about 12 years ago and while she isn't a "service animal", she might as well be. She has literally saved my life more than once because I can't stand the thought of abandoning her and the pain that might cause her.
Find someone you can talk to that isn't a "professional". I have a couple of friends I've managed to find that have been instrumental in helping me deal with it. Talking with other vets has helped a good bit too, including a couple of guys I served with that I came to discover where struggling with some of the same things.
I also rediscovered a love for trout fishing in the mountains, being disconnected from the rest of the world for a couple days while I'm there due to lack of cell service is nice too. I tried the "herbal medicine" while still in Colorado before moving back to GA and it did help a lot, particularly with appetite and sleep. Not something I've ever been particularly fond of, but it helped. Music helps me sometimes, but not all the time.
I'm doing a lot better than I was just a few years ago, but it's still a daily struggle. Some days are great, most are ok, but some are horrible. Knowing there are people I can always reach out to has helped significantly.
If you want to talk one on one with an Army vet who's been dealing with same stuff for years, feel free to pm me and I'll send you my number. Hell I'll meet up with you face to face to sit down and talk if you want.
Something I almost forgot to add, (thoughts wander a lot and memory sucks) that has really helped me is my dog. I got a weimaraner about 12 years ago and while she isn't a "service animal", she might as well be. She has literally saved my life more than once because I can't stand the thought of abandoning her and the pain that might cause her.
Find someone you can talk to that isn't a "professional". I have a couple of friends I've managed to find that have been instrumental in helping me deal with it. Talking with other vets has helped a good bit too, including a couple of guys I served with that I came to discover where struggling with some of the same things.
I also rediscovered a love for trout fishing in the mountains, being disconnected from the rest of the world for a couple days while I'm there due to lack of cell service is nice too. I tried the "herbal medicine" while still in Colorado before moving back to GA and it did help a lot, particularly with appetite and sleep. Not something I've ever been particularly fond of, but it helped. Music helps me sometimes, but not all the time.
I'm doing a lot better than I was just a few years ago, but it's still a daily struggle. Some days are great, most are ok, but some are horrible. Knowing there are people I can always reach out to has helped significantly.
If you want to talk one on one with an Army vet who's been dealing with same stuff for years, feel free to pm me and I'll send you my number. Hell I'll meet up with you face to face to sit down and talk if you want.
thanksAnxiety. Panic attacks. Chronic depression. Sleep problems. Hyper-vigilence. Anger issues. Intrusive thoughts. Over-thinking. Overeating. Excessive alcohol use. Disassociative thinking (non- thinking).
Nope. Never had any of that. Just kidding. Everyone experiences these at some point. The problem is when it's constant and unrelenting. People say snap out of it; not that easy.
Medication to address symptoms.
Cognitive behavioral therapy to try change the way your process situations, thoughts, emotions and responses.
Group therapy.
Exercise.
Hobbies that require 100 percent of your attention: target shooting, motorcycle riding, video gaming (don't laugh).
You may want to talk with your doctor about the use of a service animal to help. They are amazing at situational intervention. The VA may be lukewarm and most likely won't provide a dog. However, I had a VA psychologist who was willing to sign off on saying a service animal would help mitigate my symptoms. However, there's organizations in Peachtree City and Fayetteville which may help.
Contact - Tails of Hope
tailsofhope.com
I'll be glad to PM a copy of what the doctor wrote for me. For me, the service animal had worked the best. Don't give up. Don't give in.
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Took me over a decade to admit it too. Always thought I had to just "handle it" on my own, like feeling broken was a weakness. I slept with the lights on for years. What finally helped was calling a number for PTSD help—the National Mental Health Hotline. It was quiet, no pressure, just someone actually listening. That one call didn’t fix everything, but it cracked the door open.
Pot? I don’t have anything against it. Just not into smoking. You could do gummies if smoking gets old
Hyper vigilance, severe sleep problems, constant def con 1 threat assessment. I thought everyone perimeter patrolled, checked locks, had a plan to kill everyone, thought every car in the neighborhood was suspicious etc…. Turns out that it is PTSD I did all of that crap for 27 years until someone explained to me that isn’t normal behavior. **** it, I am half dead anyway. I hit the cheeba daily and try to do what I can.
Get well.
Get well.
