PTSD And Ways To Deal With It.

[SwampFox4388]

Ok. I am heading out for a little bit. Will add you tonight

[Franks101st]

I think it's just hard for people to open up about problems they might have, especially vets. Everyone here is a certified Hardass, nail-eating, baby-spiking, hard-piping motherfucker so it might seem out of place for people to have issues. Let me try to break that.

I am an Active Duty Infantryman and a combat Vet. During my first tour, I spent my time in Afghanistan in RC South with 2-502, 101st Infantry Division, along the Arghandab River valley. Our platoon was assigned with the duty of protecting and escorting high value assets around our area of operations. That meant lots of patrols, mounted and dismounted through everywhere from Kandahar City to the Registan desert and the agricultural districts. Due to our highly mobile nature, we saw a large amount of combat. My platoon suffered numerous losses throughout the deployment, from deaths to dismemberment and maiming. I lost friends and saw others changed irreparably forever. I held my squad leader's wife's hand at his funeral. Vets have to do some heavy shit. Nobody comes home unscarred.

I found that nightmares were the biggest issue for me, as well as random bouts of emotion, including sadness and anger. I would withdraw and drink myself numb. I went a long time denying that I had a problem. It effected my friendships outside the Army and my relationship with my family. Years later I came to realize that I had a real problem.

Therapy wasn't something I could get down with. I don't like head shrinkers. I found that two things really helped. The slow quiet pace and serenity of fishing really helped to calm my nerves. It was a very detail oriented pastime that forced me to focus my mind and calm myself. The other thing that helped me was building guns, specifically precision rifles, and long-range shooting. Forcing your mind clear, taking slow breaths, deliberate motions and accurate timing and calculation are all essential to making those super long shots out beyond 600 yards. Those things all helped immensely. If I feel out of control, I hop on my motorcycle with either my gun or fishing bag and go de-stress. It made a world of difference to me. I find that after I refocus myself, I can relate with people again. I think it saved my marriage, personally.

The point is, everyone has issues and there are ways of getting yourself ironed out. I hope someone finds this helpful, even if it is just one person.

[CHONG]

I think it's just hard for people to open up about problems they might have, especially vets. Everyone here is a certified Hardass, nail-eating, baby-spiking, hard-piping motherfucker so it might seem out of place for people to have issues. Let me try to break that.

I am an Active Duty Infantryman and a combat Vet. During my first tour, I spent my time in Afghanistan in RC South with 2-502, 101st Infantry Division, along the Arghandab River valley. Our platoon was assigned with the duty of protecting and escorting high value assets around our area of operations. That meant lots of patrols, mounted and dismounted through everywhere from Kandahar City to the Registan desert and the agricultural districts. Due to our highly mobile nature, we saw a large amount of combat. My platoon suffered numerous losses throughout the deployment, from deaths to dismemberment and maiming. I lost friends and saw others changed irreparably forever. I held my squad leader's wife's hand at his funeral. Vets have to do some heavy shit. Nobody comes home unscarred.

I found that nightmares were the biggest issue for me, as well as random bouts of emotion, including sadness and anger. I would withdraw and drink myself numb. I went a long time denying that I had a problem. It effected my friendships outside the Army and my relationship with my family. Years later I came to realize that I had a real problem.

Therapy wasn't something I could get down with. I don't like head shrinkers. I found that two things really helped. The slow quiet pace and serenity of fishing really helped to calm my nerves. It was a very detail oriented pastime that forced me to focus my mind and calm myself. The other thing that helped me was building guns, specifically precision rifles, and long-range shooting. Forcing your mind clear, taking slow breaths, deliberate motions and accurate timing and calculation are all essential to making those super long shots out beyond 600 yards. Those things all helped immensely. If I feel out of control, I hop on my motorcycle with either my gun or fishing bag and go de-stress. It made a world of difference to me. I find that after I refocus myself, I can relate with people again. I think it saved my marriage, personally.

The point is, everyone has issues and there are ways of getting yourself ironed out. I hope someone finds this helpful, even if it is just one person.

My pops is x navy and suffered from that a lot. He described the same things you did for what helped! Good for you ma

[Franks101st]

Sometimes it is the easy things that make the biggest difference in the long run, you never know.

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[CHONG]

Sometimes it is the easy things that make the biggest difference in the long run, you never know.

Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk

I hear that! my dad got out in 93 but spent 8 years in the teams. Easy does it he always said.

[SpikeTheNewb]

Personally I refuse to go back to the clinic here on post to "help" me with my issues (they arent too bad, mostly minor things). I know that sounds bullheaded, but I have found my own therapy that has helped me manage my symptoms over the past couple of years.

I spoke to my spouse about EVERYTHING! I told her every damn detail down to how fast the wind was blowing. It got all this off my chest and at least someone that I trust knew about it. That was my first step, first thing that helped me calm down. After that, I decided it was time to get right physically. I began training in BJJ and got certified to coach power lifting. Putting people to sleep and slamming heavy things over and over again helped me get away from the issues of the day and of the past. Occasionally I find myself slipping, so to (without sounding like a full blown hippie) get right in my head I find the quietest spot I can and, for a lack of a better word, I meditate.

[semperdog1775]

14 year, medically retired with PTSD. I have been on Xanax for years now, but have stopped taking it because it doenst do shit. I have been to counseling and that helped for a while. But now I just try to talk about my issues as well as try and help others. That seems to be working for me.

[CAG Covieleader]

Semperdog it's not easy living with PTSD. I know after 3 tours in Iraq. Remember to use your Breathing Exercises and find a Hobby to take your mind off of things. Focus on that and give it everything. Also try to give back to our fellow Veterans. Join a Organization that supports our Veterans and Volunteer.
What other Veterans do to help cope. You can learn from it and make sure your enrolled in PCT at the VA. Not Mental Health. There is a difference. Xanax will help with your Anxiety issues, but not PTSD. I suspect you have some sort of TBI maybe?

Assistant Commandant &
Leader of Veterans

[CAG Covieleader]

Listen to these posts Veterans and CAG Family. It's our Veterans that have learned over the years to cope with PTSD that can also help our new Veterans with thier issues. For those of you that may need specialized attention. PM me. My door is always open for our fellow Veterans.

Assistant Commandant &
Leader of Veterans

[mikey6156murder]

I have PTSD though it's not combat related. Fishing during the warmer months helps a lot and through winter I try to just stay busy with anything I can think of just something that can keep the mind busy without exhausting myself. Also meditation does some good (kid permitting)


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