Discussion
I suffered after Afghanistan in 2006/7. Took me 3 years to get over it (mine was caused by prolonged excitement as opposed to prolonged stress). In the end I reckon it's what triggered my cancer but I can't prove it.
To answer your question, yes it does get better. But first you need to come to terms with whatever it is that's caused it. Do you know what the trigger is / was?
To answer your question, yes it does get better. But first you need to come to terms with whatever it is that's caused it. Do you know what the trigger is / was?
Another sufferer here.....
It does get better.
I was a long time sufferer and kept my head in the sand, blaming it on stress at work, over-training etc etc. It came to a head when the rage almost got the better of me and I came very close to doing something bad to the one person in my life that means everything to me. Contact Combat Stress and they have been fantastic for me.
I am on the long and slow road to normality but it needs to be done, if not for my sake but for the people around me.
It does get better.
I was a long time sufferer and kept my head in the sand, blaming it on stress at work, over-training etc etc. It came to a head when the rage almost got the better of me and I came very close to doing something bad to the one person in my life that means everything to me. Contact Combat Stress and they have been fantastic for me.
I am on the long and slow road to normality but it needs to be done, if not for my sake but for the people around me.
Dont do it on your own - you wont......
there are people out there that will help you. I went through it had a really really bad accident and it took me years to get over it. Nearly died and was very ill. Recovery I suffered from flashbacks and a few other things aswell. It wasnt easy. But with the right support and help you will get over it.
there are people out there that will help you. I went through it had a really really bad accident and it took me years to get over it. Nearly died and was very ill. Recovery I suffered from flashbacks and a few other things aswell. It wasnt easy. But with the right support and help you will get over it.
Edited by ruggedscotty on Wednesday 20th August 21:44
As far as the general symptoms go, my own view is that PTSD is closely linked to anxiety and depression (as in it may cause these), so the general treatments (e.g. medication, talk therapy, lifestyle changes) will usually help to make things easier to bear, though as everyone is different, you may need to try a few things before you find one or a combination of things that really make a difference.
However, to really get to the root does require a bit extra in my experience (n=1, so not very scientific)
EMDR has been shown to assist in clinical trials, though my own experience is that you do need reasonably good recall. Effects were almost immediate, however
Other approaches that I have found useful:
Bercelli exercises (TRE) - I still use these generally and find them to be excellent stress relief
Sensorimotor therapy - trauma focused therapy which is particularly aimed at physical symptoms if they are present
Mindfulness - may be useful for dealing with intrusive thoughts/flashbacks, for example
Does it get better? Yes, but everyone is different. I had to go back for a few bites, but then I had left it for decades.
However, to really get to the root does require a bit extra in my experience (n=1, so not very scientific)
EMDR has been shown to assist in clinical trials, though my own experience is that you do need reasonably good recall. Effects were almost immediate, however
Other approaches that I have found useful:
Bercelli exercises (TRE) - I still use these generally and find them to be excellent stress relief
Sensorimotor therapy - trauma focused therapy which is particularly aimed at physical symptoms if they are present
Mindfulness - may be useful for dealing with intrusive thoughts/flashbacks, for example
Does it get better? Yes, but everyone is different. I had to go back for a few bites, but then I had left it for decades.
Edited by oldbanger on Monday 28th July 23:27
Hoofy said:
Seek help. A decent therapist can help you. There's no need to suffer and let it affect your life.
Unfortunately the reality is that PTSD will affect your life - there is no magic cure. It will always be there in some shape or form, to a greater or lesser degree. And it will also affect those around you - your loved ones/ friends/ family.Simply put - what has been seen or experienced cannot be unseen or un-experienced.
Hoofy is right though - seek help. In my experience therapy can help to push it back but it is always there, lurking.
PTSD is a nasty b
d. With the right help it can be managed and you might find the good days start to out-number the bad.Sorry to sound so pessimistic and gloomy but that is my experience. It sucks but it can get better.
I suppose this is an "update". I've found a very good therapist and I've talked not just there but also to a couple of friendts and for the first time talked about what happened. And actually, it wasn't this big bogeyman, I think I made things much worse by not doing anything about it. Its not all magically better but I am making progress, it's just a bit embarassing really.
http://news.stanford.edu/news/2014/september/medit...
Breathing-Based Meditation Decreases Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms in U.S. Military Veterans: A Randomized Controlled Longitudinal Study
Breathing-Based Meditation Decreases Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms in U.S. Military Veterans: A Randomized Controlled Longitudinal Study
Can anyone offer a bit of advice on this,
Have a mate (Vet of 2 Afghan tours) aware he has seen some things nobody should have to see but don't know the full details past seeing guys maimed by IED's and seeing a friend killed.
We've been aware for a few years that he's suffering some form of PTSD and alcohol does seem to be a trigger. but when he does go it's as if he's a different person almost Bi-Polar is the only way I can describe it, thinking that everyone is against him and getting emotional etc.
Anyone with any experience of PTSD and whether this is a symptom/normal and also offer any advice to help him? Thanks
Have a mate (Vet of 2 Afghan tours) aware he has seen some things nobody should have to see but don't know the full details past seeing guys maimed by IED's and seeing a friend killed.
We've been aware for a few years that he's suffering some form of PTSD and alcohol does seem to be a trigger. but when he does go it's as if he's a different person almost Bi-Polar is the only way I can describe it, thinking that everyone is against him and getting emotional etc.
Anyone with any experience of PTSD and whether this is a symptom/normal and also offer any advice to help him? Thanks
Willy Nilly said:
Why aren't HM Forces preparing their personnel for this and looking after them when they come home/leave?
Because no form of training can prepare you for what happens during warfare. Not everyone is effected by what they see, it's how the brain processes it all. When you come back you get offered help if you want it, most just have a beer and talk to mates. Personally I'm not one for having a chat and letting it out, a lot are the same, some really suffer from survivors guilt and regrets Combat Stress are a good organisation to speak to, they have ex forces guys working for them so they have real understanding and experience rather than just white suits with letters at the end of their name. Is he in the frame of mind where he wants help? I have a friend who's ex SF and it took him a good few years to accept he needed help. Similarly I dealt with a 75 year old ex para who had some real issues and it had taken him 40 years to seek help; sadly nothing seemed to suit him or work for him, possibly as the trauma was so deep seated.
If by being 'like Bipolar' you mean he's having periods of depression and periods of elevated mood where he's incredibly irritable or doing everything to excess then there may be more going on than just PTSD. Stress and traumatic events are believed to be responsible for triggering Bipolar in people with a predisposition for the illness. Whilst I haven't been diagnosed with PTSD, I believe I have it as a result of a traumatic incident in my childhood and I believe that triggered my Bipolar which is diagnosed.
Good luck, I hope your friend gets some help.
If by being 'like Bipolar' you mean he's having periods of depression and periods of elevated mood where he's incredibly irritable or doing everything to excess then there may be more going on than just PTSD. Stress and traumatic events are believed to be responsible for triggering Bipolar in people with a predisposition for the illness. Whilst I haven't been diagnosed with PTSD, I believe I have it as a result of a traumatic incident in my childhood and I believe that triggered my Bipolar which is diagnosed.
Good luck, I hope your friend gets some help.
I was diagnosed to be suffering with PTSD from something that happened decades ago . I/we manage to cope with the effects and for quite a few years haven't sort treatment , not that I found it any real help when I did , other than seeing my wife fully understand how the illness can mess with a persons sense of reason , something I could never properly explain to her .
After a triggered blip/episode a few months ago my very loyal and patient wife suggested Bipolar and with subsequent research I think she could be right , again . Due to living in the middle of nowhere specialists are hard to come by, but I am going to continue the hunt for answers . This thread has fueled my determination further , thank you .
To quote the late Steve Jobs "here's to the crazy ones".
After a triggered blip/episode a few months ago my very loyal and patient wife suggested Bipolar and with subsequent research I think she could be right , again . Due to living in the middle of nowhere specialists are hard to come by, but I am going to continue the hunt for answers . This thread has fueled my determination further , thank you .
To quote the late Steve Jobs "here's to the crazy ones".
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