Nightmares and flashbacks

[Chicken]

Hey folks, I'm after a bit of advice.
I've recently started to suffer with nightmares and dreaming about my 'holidays' to Iraq and Afghanistan.
It's causing me to wake up absolutely frigging petrified. It's unpleasant (to say the least) and I'm worried its the start of something bigger.
I can't think of any particular trigger that would be causing this (although I'm in a high-stress job, my nan is dying of cancer, and I'm skint) and I'm already on anti-depressants.
Anyone been through anything similar? Is this just something to put up with (as a penance for previous traumas) or is it a slippery slope?

Thanks

[Mobile Chicane]

Anti-depressants can give you rather weird and disturbing dreams, although it sounds to me as though you may have PTSD. Are there medics at work you can talk to about this?

[trashbat]

There was another thread recently, with a different question but some answers that are appropriate to you.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

In particular 'Combat Stress' and the other military charities are worth considering.

[Munter]

Chicken said:

Is this just something to put up with (as a penance for previous traumas) or is it a slippery slope?

I think the answer to that is "usually no".

Check out the links on the right hand side (including Combat Stress & PTSD Resolution: veteran outreach programme)
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/post-traumatic-stress...

[Chicken]

Thanks so far, I'll have a look at those links shortly. Something I forgot to mention earlier is that I left the mob 4years ago and now work as a medic in the ambulance service.
Dunno if that would have a bearing on things...

[Tumbler]

I suffer with flashbacks, but mainly when I'm awake, mine are triggered by a particular sound.

Writing them down has helped, as has some hypnotherapy, you may want to consider some form of counselling,I would hope your GP would get you a fairly quick referral, although if you have some sort or occupational health via work,that may be quicker.

[trashbat]

Chicken said:

Thanks so far, I'll have a look at those links shortly. Something I forgot to mention earlier is that I left the mob 4years ago and now work as a medic in the ambulance service.
Dunno if that would have a bearing on things...

Combat Stress and I imagine the others work with ex-servicemen, so no difference there.

May I ask roughly where you're based? This gives an idea of what services you can access.

[Grandad7184]

What did you serve in

[zetec]

I have no advice to offer, just want to say, for someone who has had holidays in Iraq and Afghanistan, you have the most unsuitable username.

Full respect to you

[Red 4]

PTSD is usually co-morbid with other conditions - depression being a common one.

Tell your GP, presumably s/he is already treating you for depression and take it from there. Counselling, CBT, etc. may help or it may not.

Changing the meds you take for depression may also help but that is a case of trial and error.

Dreams/ nightmares in relation to your experiences are not uncommon - PTSD is something else (I know, I suffer with it) and it can take over your life.

Try and nip this thing in the bud now, early intervention is important.

[s3pc1989]

Combat Stress - I would humbly suggest you contact them.

Almost all of their people are kindred spirits having 'enjoyed similar 'holidays' to yourself'.

They are a truly excellent organisation.

[Chicken]

With the advice from yourselves (coupled with pressure from SWMBO) I'm gonna get myself an appointment with the GP. It's only been going on for a little while, and I'm hoping its just a blip (never had anything like this before) so I'm not expecting anything but at least if it does get worse then I've already got the ball rolling. Cheers guys

[HughS47]

PTSD.

Inform your senior officer/medical team attached to your unit, or, If out of the forces, see your GP and get a referral for help.