Veteran with PTSD

My opinion is invalid and nothing I post is good enough for approval, so this will likely be my last attempt.

That said PTSD is a thing that comes and goes. I don't get flashbacks unless I'm in an extremely bad, stressful, emotionaly triggering situation. I've identified some of my triggers and Inavoid them as best I can.

The promlem is the ones that I can't identify, or spontaneous triggers that just happen. Is there an effective way to deal with those? I get everuthing shirt if hallucinations. The worst thing I normally get is an intense emotional recall while doing something unrelated to the traumatic event. I hate when it happens in public because it ruins everyone's day. Any ideas?

That is assuming my question is even worthy of posting. The rest aren't so I doubt this is. It's okay. I'm used to being on my own tonfigure things out. Even the VA hates me. It's my own fault. So whatever. If this one isn't approved I'm not wasting anymore of the mods' time.

Hello,

Sorry to hear about what you are going through.

I do not know much, but I have read that Emotional Freedom Technique is good for dealing with trauma. It involves tapping on certain parts of the body, and this somehow short circuits the emotions.

I would also recommend perhaps looking into Energy Healing. One that I do is called NARP, you can find the basic format on you tube. By a Melanie Tonya Evans. She goes through her meditations on youtube and these are for free. It works on focusing on stored trauma in your body, feeling it for a bit and releasing it and then bringing in feelings of healing and essentially attempting to rewire your brain to believe differently.
I think it is valid for PTSD, at least I have seen her use it on survivors of childhood sexual abuse.

Also, can you get into nature and spend time with animals. All animals are therapy. Even volunteer to help abused or abandoned animals be rehabilatated.

Do you have a support group that you can go to?
Consider also alternative healing. Can you do some craft and express how you feel through it, even use it to draw attention to others in your position who feel forgotten.

Lastly, I wanted to express my solidarity with you in your feelings of isolation and of being taught that you do not count. It is very wrong that men are not given respect for having emotions and are expected to be emotionless robots. And it is horrible to go through the trauma of war, let alone be left to deal with it with little to no help -as I assume you must get, as this is the case in the country live in. I have never been in your exact experience, but I do know what it is like to suffer and be given no validation for that suffering -but treated as if it does not matter and as if I am therefore expendable.

This is a big problem in this world -lack of empathy.
The only thing really you can do is to go deeper and get into spirituality. if they world tries to mess with you and tears your world apart, you have to create a new one that is built on different foundations that can't be destroyed. What I mean by this, is develop an eye for seeing past the surface -for instance, see through the lack of care towards you from the government and society (as a soldier who has suffered through war) and see the lack of empathy as weakness on society's part and people in general. It is not your problem. And don't internalize it.
See things from this view point, that who a person is is based on how they act -this is what a person can actually control and is who they really are.
This way, even if you have scars, it's about how you deal with them and not about the fact that you have them. And it is your society's weakness for judging you, and dismissing you based on these.

You definetly count. If others around you fail to honor that, this only proves that they lack strength. Even if you have messed up by becoming angry etc, this is still forgiveable and certainly understandable if you have gone through trauma. Make amends and find better ways to deal with difficult emotions and flashbacks. Be easier on yourself.

Perhaps also look into any therapies that can train your brain to get out of the flight or fight mode.

All the best. I believe in an afterlife, and I do believe that each of us has a team of spirit guides who are there for us. Pray to yours and ask that they give you signs and help you with what you are going through. My sincere best to you.

What do you usually do to stop a flashback and get grounded again?
Any strategies to reduce hyperarousal?
It is impossible to avoid all triggers. But it is possible to learn how to get grounded, regulate your body and emotions and return to normal life relatively quickly.

I’m a wife of a veteran with PTSD. I hope you are doing ok and receive the help you are entitled to.

Hey, it seems like I am not the only Vet going through PTSD. It is pretty miserable. It feels like it is always raining. I am tired a lot. Probably from anxiety and antidepressants. Unfortunately, they help get me through work.

During work I am very PTSD. I feel kind of worthless. I feel that everyone thinks that I am abusive and a pest. In fact my coworkers and customers start something, interrupt me, and then I have to finish the job. I have about 20 projects going on at one time. It is ridiculous. In the meantime, I see others not working at all. It makes me feel very manipulative and bossy. I am getting educated so that I can get a better job.

I have flashbacks that make me irritable. I think about the guy/girl whose life I may have been able to save. Fortunately, I never see my fellow veterans that I was in war with. That would only bring up bad memories. Ever since I have been through war my PTSD got really bad. I go jogging or to the library to get out into the community. I wonder what it feels like to be mentally healthy. I would like to know. I hate having a mental illness. Thanks for the cool topic.

Forum333 wrote:


I am getting educated so that I can get a better job.

Personally I always felt as long as tomorrow could be better than today I could find a way to cope. That is what you are doing with the study. Hope it works out for you.
Wish you all the best