Help with PTSD...my friend!

I have a friend who went through Viet-nam. He was in the Navy, jouned himdelf, and was on boats that cruised rivers and has told me he saw horrors. He was honorably discharged in four years!

IS there any Vet's out there who can help?

He never describes these horrors. Infact, he is very interested in military history! He syas he has seen them, but never says anything about it.

I am 13 years younger and a friend...very good friend and help and take care of him.

I can tell when he has problems...and he knows I can find it. It's hard to describe..being friends for a long time..but, i know!

All I have been able to find out is that he has, "what he calls, 'A brain feeeze'"

Basically, when he doesn't have this problem he is talkative and has good conversations.

When he is going threw this, his whole affect changes...like a zombie...just walking around. It's as if his thinking areas are numb abd he is just working on instinct. He moves..he goes places...but, complicated areas, he is dumbfounded. I let him try...and he eventually realizes many things to do. Open the front door...

He is under care from the veteran's hospital...in Iwoa city...2 1/2 hours away...and apointments that are so far.

I got...or helped him to find disability throught the vet-administration and SSI...so He can find more than a couch and a TV...which is all his assets at the time.

His "Brain freeze":

He is quiet! He answers questions, but sometimes he asks, "what!"...like he is angry..he is not. I simplify my question as best I can...and he rubs his eyes and finds an answer...with many "undescriptive" things? He chain smokes! He lookes very tired.

When He askes a question...he ususually can't get through it with a lot of "that's", which I don't know what to say to? and, his sentences only go for , maybe, three words? And, never complete.

He has an idea in his head and wants to talk about it...but, he can't verbalize it.

What makes me angry is that he has to wait...a long time for an appiontment...

He had surgery for his prostrate and he can't keep his bladder full...so he where's what he calls "diapers".

But, for a year and a half?

I take him 14 miles over the Mississippi to Dubugue to find buss to take him to hospital....and get's everything free...but at long...very long followup appointments.

I think he needs better care. since there are doctors only blocks away.

Go figure?

I have tried everything...and I am stumped. He was nothing..I found and told him to get beneifits...for Vet and SSDI? NO medacare...just a spend down on medicaid...

What?

Is there anything more I can do?

Just asking?

I think that the reason your friend may not talk about it but is interested in military history is because he may have fears that he "really is crazy." By reading military history he can kind of re-live what he went through, and come out of it unscathed, proving (probably subconciously) to himself that he can handle it and is ok. His 'brain freeze' is a common symptom of PTSD. When I 'zone out' (my term for it) I may or may not be thinking of what started my PTSD, but usually not. Because my body just shut down all thoughts and feelings at the time it happened, there are parts of my brain that think now that 'flipping the off switch' is a positive, effective way to keep me alive in dangerous (or stressful) situations. For me, the key is to not give in! If I allow myself to 'zone' without trying to fight it off, it happens more often. Then I get depressed because I'm always so 'out of it'. Give his body a wake-up call when it happens to him. Change lighting, air temp, activity, etc. and encourage him to talk about what he is thinking/feeling right now. He probably won't know exactly, so then get him to talk about something he is passionate about. For example: "come on, lets get out of this stuffy house and take a quick walk. You seem distracted, what are you thinking about? Nothing? ok. Hey remember you were going to tell me about how amazing your daughter's wedding was?...." Do you understand what I mean? Ask him questions that he has to think about (and will want to remember), like "What color boutennier did you wear?" And get him away from the TV (even when he's ok) because it just makes his brain even more used to shutting down. The diapers thing is normal to an extent. If they are 'just in case' then it's fine, if he's 'using' them on a daily basis then there might be a problem either physically from the surgery or some type of mental regression. Either way, he needs to follow-up with his surgeon and express his concerns. My last piece of advice is to call "Army One Source" at 1-800-464-8107. (I don't know if there is a navy equivalent, but they would know.) They can help with everything from helping to find transportation to appointments, to how you would go about getting the military to pay for him to see a civilian psych doc. It's like a concierge service for the military. Good Luck to you both!

Within these theads...I do not see much activity... it has taqken so long.

Now...thtnk God, you have awoken it!

But, Nirvona:

Every aspect of what you say is a help to people I becall a friend.

I never went through warefare and never had the opportuninty to see it first hand. ..but, there is no excuse for a Someone in help?

I never was in the military...yet, is that an excuse for those who need help, that need help,now, and those who can do their best...as friends...to make sure...they get what the USA should give a prober soldier of the USA?

We fly the flag that many have died for...and many who come back...fall threw the cracks. It's a fact. We know this. But, if it takes a citizen of the USA to this, I will!

Not me...he is much older than me? I don't bragging, but this is the God honest truth!

He couldn't work because of his "freezes". He had just enough to find a place, in HUD..like me! BUt, only $100 for food an clothing?

I think that is torture!

I told him to find a rep and find SSI...until he gathered Vet's benefit's...which didn't take that long?

But, I still wonder, what if I wasn't his friend...and use my abilities to nuture and help this veteran to get income and benefits?

Who would have done that...and another vet..falling threw the cracks?

He is getting the best help he can through a veteran hospital...yet it's 160 mioles away and someone had to drive 20 miles to take him there. Sometimes this bus never arrives.

Taking him that twenty miles makes me think...what does are country do for veterans?

I thank and love your reply!

It is most appreciated for me as an individual helping my friend.

Thanks

Phil