05-07-2017, 02:42 PM
PTSD is a real issue. For years after I was discharged from the service, I was in constant denial of any symptoms I may have been experiencing and, embarrassed to say, was suspect of others who were diagnosed with it. People who knew me both before and after I went into the military said they had noticed a drastic change, but I wanted nothing to do with it - I thought it made one 'weak.' As a matter of fact, for years I would deny the symptoms during psych exams, even though I suspected I had them.
Eventually, after about 20 years, my life was falling apart. I was drinking too much, my marriage collapsed, and I became homeless. I blamed it on the booze, and sought help for that and stopped drinking. Lo and behold, I still couldn't hold down a job or be responsible. My life still sucked and now I started to contemplate ending it all. Out of desperation I went back to the VA and checked myself into a psych ward.
Wanna talk about feeling worthless. I was at a low point. An understanding counselor began to question me about my past and suggested that my problems were PTSD related. I finally began to listen and add value to what she was saying, and received some medication to help me with sleep and depression. (I hadn't slept more than 2 hours in a row without waking up for over 20 years). AT first the VA denied my claim because in the past I lied about having any symptoms, but eventually they got on board and I got the help I needed. It has been a long road, but I am finally back to relatively normal, and look forward to what is next.
-dc
Eventually, after about 20 years, my life was falling apart. I was drinking too much, my marriage collapsed, and I became homeless. I blamed it on the booze, and sought help for that and stopped drinking. Lo and behold, I still couldn't hold down a job or be responsible. My life still sucked and now I started to contemplate ending it all. Out of desperation I went back to the VA and checked myself into a psych ward.
Wanna talk about feeling worthless. I was at a low point. An understanding counselor began to question me about my past and suggested that my problems were PTSD related. I finally began to listen and add value to what she was saying, and received some medication to help me with sleep and depression. (I hadn't slept more than 2 hours in a row without waking up for over 20 years). AT first the VA denied my claim because in the past I lied about having any symptoms, but eventually they got on board and I got the help I needed. It has been a long road, but I am finally back to relatively normal, and look forward to what is next.
-dc