What do you say to them? what do you do for them? How can I help?
Love and therapy. They need to talk to someone who is familiar with war related PTSD. My father didn't have this option when he came home from Vietnam, but he was able to heal over a great amount of time with the love and help of my mother. He'll never be whole, he'll always remember and woun't ever be able to control what he dreams, but time and acceptance helped a great deal.
Luckily, Soldiers have a tremendous support network for this. Please check out this site: http://www.ptsd.va.gov/
I have noticed so many people talking about how THEY have support and they can go to the VA etc. I have a Navy vet son. He is not the same, veeerrrrry quiet, bottled up, gets angry at strange things and although HE has a lot of places to turn to, he doesn't see the need to do so. Or refuses to acknowledge it. Very difficult then in spite of all the help they can get,, they have to do it. He also married last year and I do not think his wife understands at all and she talks about other men a lot, flirts right in front of us, receives phone calls from other guys and I think it is all to make him jealous, but he doesn't get it, because truly I believe he is suffering himself and cannot even explain it. When he came back he stayed with us for awhile but he is not our son. So getting him to talk to the VA is hard. In a perfect world that would work, but they have to talk to them. I of course can only now stand by and reflect to my daughter in law on what has happened, but it is her marriage and she probably feels neglected and sad. I feel sad because I knew my son to be a fun, outgoing kind young man who is for all appearances sake very depressed and now makes some decisions that aren't so good. We can of course get counseling and help but wherever possible, in a gentle way we need to guide them towards releasing some of their sadness and anger.
I have said it befor to people and its a hard thing for anyone that isnt Military or dependants of Military to understand. There is a stigma in the Military about seeking Mental help, even for PTSD. Those that serve feel they should be stronger than this, and those that serve with them womand why they cant get there poop togather.
Now this being said that doesnt mean give up all hope. There are things you can do to get help. First off is this person still active duty? Are you the wife? A lot of TLC can help. if this is the Husband and if he starts talking to you I would say things like. I am so sorry you went through that. That must have been hard on you. I cant imagen what that would be like.
Also get in touch with there branches family advocacy program. If they cant help you or give you any Info you can bet they can point you in teh right direction.
If you are worried that he/she might hurt them selves or someone else Call there First SGT (My family is Air Force, That term is different for different branches, please excuse me if I said wrong tearm). They will know how to step in right away and get help like NOW.
Best wishes my dear
S.
It's interesting you'd post this because just recently on our local news, there is a company that is training dogs to go with vets that are suffering from PTSD. Maybe look into one of those organizations for them. Does this person you are referring to recognize they have PTSD?
Eye movement desensitizing helps greatly with PTSD. Maybe you could help him/her find therapist trained in that.
http://www.emdr.com/
Get him/her to the VA.
They will need to talk to someone.
He/ she should have had counciling when they returned from duty. And before exiting. There is an Army reintigration program but the soldier has to actually go to it.
Check out the VA website
http://www.ptsd.va.gov/
yes as the others have said the biggest hurdle you are going to have is getting the soldier to 1) recognize that they do have PTSD and 2) ask for help for it.
He should contact his local VA. There are many types of therapy groups set up. Some use music. Some use dogs. Some use video games.
You call the VA and make an appointment for them.
I don't know anyone from the military with PTSD but I think if they could find a therapy group to discuss their feelings with others that feel the same would greatly help. I also read somewhere that cognitive therapy work as well.
Also starting something new (career/business etc.) that is meaningful is helpful. I read this article in our local paper about vets with PTSD starting the ever new and blossoming organic farming business.
http://dailynightly.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/09/103647...?
Its about a farm in San Diego which helps vets with PTSD reconnect to themselves and the earth.
First, does he know and acknowledge he needs help?
My brother got out of the Army almost 2 years ago and he has PTSD as well. He just now took a full-time job because he couldn't stand to be around people. If a storm hit in the middle of the night he'd yell and scream for everyone to take cover :(. It cost him a lot of relationships because other people really don't understand how to deal with it. He's my brother and I'm going no where, but a lot of others really just moved on.
My parents and everyone in our family has pushed him to get help. The VA has been less than helpful to him. I'm sure there are more resources he could look up (like some of the foundations mentioned in previous responses), but he doesn't think he needs it. My husband supports the Wounded Warrior Clinic at Bethesda Naval Medical Hospital and he ahs tried to get my brother to come with him. Because my brother didn't lose a limb, he doesn't see himself as damaged from two long tours at war.. But he does walk with a cane (he's 25) when his back is acting up. His leg will go numb and he'll just fall over. The cane prevents that.
I guess the best thing I can say is do NOT enable that person to continue to be that way. My parents do that by not pushing my brother more, but don't push too much. He has to wait help...he has to know he needs help...until then, I'm not sure what you can do but be there for him.
Good luck. And please thank him for his service and sacrifce for our country!
He needs to contact the VA in your area.
Tell the person to contact the VA and ask them to about neurofeedback. This is an extremely effective therapy and I have read many articles about the VA using it help with PTSD. It has helped my son tremendously! If they cannot find neurofeedback at their local VA, see if they can find Lifespan Integration Therapy. It would be my second choice for PTSD.
My ex was a vienam vet.
I couldnt handle it.
That's all I know.
