Posted on 06/09/2005 3:51:31 PM PDT by aft_lizard
I am sorry to post a vanity. But FR has some of the greatest people on this planet, and we have many Veterans here.
I have been battling depression ever since I got injured in Iraq. My can do's went to can nots. My injuries were broken knee, hip injured left knee, left shin, both hands,lower back and loss of consctiousness(sp?). I had been dealing well with it and the VA had prescribed me Paxil which only made me feel worse so I stopped taking it, per Doctors instructions.
Last week on Thursday I had a total meltdown mentally, I had a switch in my mind that flipped. I had not slept for 4 days, did not eat I paniced over every little thing. I turned my girlfriend away from me, who I cared deeply for. I went from thoughts of suicide to wanted to hurt others or destroy objects to extreme feelings of elation and boundless energy. ANd I couldnt concentrate at all.My Psychologist I saw earlier this week suggested bi-polar disorder, but that is genetic and tends to start occuring during teenage years. She asked me what triggered it, and honestly at the time I couldnt tell her what had in fact triggered this. Until today. I realized it was due to a near car accident I had a couple of wednesdays ago. After that day I have been totally scared to drive and been having nightmares of my accident in Iraq and some of the dead I had seen.
I ask first for prayers for me while I go through this trying time in my life. Secondly if any vets out there who have PTSD. WHat is the process like getting diagnosed with it, and what should I do for claims, its been almost two years since I got released from the army. And I am also afraid of hospitalization.
ANy help would be appreciated
You are a hero.
I am crying with you.
Please be strong. You can get through this. Depression is a horrid thing. It is a monster. Do not let the monster win (just think of it as the left). Please, please let me know if there is anything I can do.
Have you tried talking to other vets at the VA? People who have actually gone through similar stuff? It can be theraputic for both of you.
I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your service. And if I could take your pain upon myself I would do it. I mean it.
Remember the left are a bunch of weenies who will gladly use the freedoms you protect, but if asked to protect those freedoms themselves, will run and stand behind you even as they villify you. They feel guilty for having been born in this country which is a disservice to their ancestors who made the decision to come to this, the greatest country in the world, to give themselves and their descendents better futures.
Also, kitty belly is a good drug, much better than the manufactured kind.
I am so sorry. I know how black it can be. I know how heavy. Please let me know if you need anything. No matter how alone you feel. How isolated the monster makes you. YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
Petronski obviously knows what he is talking about. Take B vitamins, lots of them. Listen to him. I, too, have suffered severe depression. DO NOT BE ALONE. No matter how crappy you feel. Do not eat yourself. Pull on some clothes and crawl into the sunshine. You do not necessarily have to be amongst people (who can do more damage some times), just hear them. If you do not have an animal to depend upon you, get one, it will do you good to have something to depend upon you, it gets you out of yourself.
One thing I've always noticed:
Stepping out and being with other people seems like a horrible idea, like the last thing you'd want to do. It inevitably turns out to be at least a good idea, maybe even great. Get with people who'll strike a conversation that you can just sit and listen to and add a bit here and there.
And the pet is a great idea. Fabulous idea. Get a Lab: they're gregariously unstoppably loving and they will need to be walked. Perfect.
Prayers up!
Thia old combat medic has some words of advice for ya...check you FRmail...
Bump to study later
I will pray for you, FRiend. I will hold you in God's light and ask Him to work His wonders. We have only the smallest idea of who He is and what He can do. Brothers and sisters, let's enlarge that idea now in behalf of "aft_lizard." May the hand of Jesus be upon you, brother, to steady you on your path. Lean on Him and listen for the Holy Spirit. May the peace of the Lord be with you.
Even those of us who have not been in the service have been through PTSD, panic disorder and those kinds of things and we have come through. You will come through. None of the bad things that happened were your fault.
Find and listen to music that speaks to and soothes your soul. Talk to God. Consider what your FRiends here have advised, as well as the doctors, and choose what feels best to you. We're all in this together.
I thank you for being our defender. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
ping
Depression is a constant struggle, and I would, truly, take on Lizard's if I could, because, now, I know I can win. Even in the darkest hour.
Bert I'm not far behind you, but I'm not there yet.
But your offer gives ME strength, because it reminds me of the growth that is possible in the deeply depressed person...
Prayers up!!!
You posted
"Be very leery of PTSD claimants! That is a scam perfected by VietNam vets"
If you are a Combat Veteran and if you have used the VA system you obviously have blinders on. Your comment above is the type of comment that still haunts those of us who proudly answered the call to serve, and insults the more than 58,000 whose names are on the WALL.
The continuing false perceptions and stigmas placed on Veterans of all Wars, and in particular of Vietnam is a scar on this nation and a burden on the Veterans concerned.
Do some research and I will guarantee you that you will find per capita that more "false" PTSD claims came out of Desert Storm than came out of Vietnam. Should that stain the Veterans of Desert Storm? Authorities are stating that the number of Veterans who WILL be afflicted with PTSD from Iraqi Freedom will be higher per capita than those from Vietnam. Does this mean that the current servicemen and women should be burdened further thru out their lives by future generations making the same comments about them that you make of us?
I am appalled personally at your comment, I am saddened and angered.
You owe this forum and Vietnam Veterans and their families an apology at the very least. You owe it to the uniform you wore to speak truths, and truths only, and to honor ALL Veterans of ALL wars.
My advice to you, brother, is stay busy and constructive through this trying time. Also, if paxil is not for you, don't give up on all meds. You are likly to find the right one to help quiet your mind and steady your hand through this temporary situation . God Bless.
You are wrong! The guys who have scammed the system have made it hard for the legitimate claimants to be heard!
One guy who claimed to have been on Swift Boats was actually a mechanic on a destroyer and the other who claimed to have been a SEAL, was actually a Navy diver. I turned them both in!
Remember! There were a hell of a lot of Viet vets who never heard a hostile shot.
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