Post Traumatic Stress Support Group

I was diagnosed with PTSD after returning from a tour from Iraq. I was medically retired from the Air Force after 21 years of service. I am about to be admitted into the VA's inpatient treatment program as the PTSD has gotten worse and is making my depression worse. I feel so alone and like no one understnads what I have been through. My husband is still active duty but has never been in a combat zone. I am thankful to have found this group.

Blessed welcome !! I am sorry for your PTSD, but happy you are home with us and I am proud of your service. Thank you..SALUTE!! My son has been back from Iraq for 2 years now, mentally sound and alive. However, my first husband returned from a year in Viet Nam and has suffered from PTSD ever since. I have had PTSD and Bipolar Disease all of my 58 years. My mental illness stems from childhood abuse and molestation. I am stable with medication and also talk with a therapist. It's a rough row we hoe, but there are many many of us and we will not walk our road alone. If you have any questions or just want to talk I am here or you can PM me.

Gloria

Blessed,

It took a long time and a lot of trouble before I got off my dead butt and got help. What I found worked best for me was to talk to people with the sme experiences that I had (2 tours in Iraq, and some time in Afghanistan). There is a group of vets that meet where Im stationed that get togeather and talk about our experiences and give each other support. My recommendation is that you find something like this (even people on this site could be helpful).

Also, I dont know how the AF views PTSD, but when I was diagnosed it was look down on by the Army. So I had to make a choice, get help or let it destroy me. Im grateful that I got help and I would recommend the same course of action to everyone.

I also have PTSD and have been suffering from it for 19 years even though I wasn't diagnosed until last month. I also have bipolar as well which was diagnosed 2 years ago. It took me over a year and a half to openly discuss my symptoms with my tdoc and I find that talking about 2 of the 4 traumas I experienced over an 18 year period is very difficult for me. Welcome to the group and I hope to hear more from you. Thank you SO much for your service to our country!!!

Post edited by: neondreams, at: 02/12/2009 18:58

I am glad you are coming to terms with this and getting help.

I hope you find GOOD help.

You deserve it!

and joining support groups is wonderful because unlike some therapists even, we UNDERSTAND.

Be safe.

Peace.

Billi

Welcome and glad your here.............

Destiny

Ex-Army here. Got out in 1984. They diagnosed 'Acoholism' in the Army. Didn't get the PTSD diagnosed until 1997 when I went into the V.A. for a 'Mental Vacation: ie; a nervous breakdown. I'm rooting for you Air Force, and all those others who serve. Especially those who end up with this 'silent suffering disease' that so many people never knew about.

welcome cptblack, sometimes nights are good other times its hard.

talking about helps me, I dont like taking the meds but I know I have too. I wish it would just go away.

I finally figured out that being in a long term relationship with another person with the same dual-diagnoses is a very toxic situation. And we have an 11 year old son who is diagnosed as depressive. For the longest time it was "He is ADHD and here's the meds". Wrong answer.

She lives 120 miles in one dirrection, he's with the grands 140 miles in the other dirrection. I can deal with a few weeks of him, but over 48 hours of her is not good.

The nightmares are rare now, but I have those nights.

You must come together as one. And travel together as one and not to be distant. Come together as one of hope and light.

Scott