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re: My Son is struggling with PTSD Update page 7

Posted on 11/18/23 at 12:22 pm to
Posted by mmmmmbeeer
ATL
Member since Nov 2014
7967 posts
Posted on 11/18/23 at 12:22 pm to
frick, not great.

Not sure what he did over there but here is a recent article about something eerily familiar to what you describe. These kids shot a shite ton of artillery and came back fricked up, despite not being in any sort of intense firefights. VA said they didn't have PTSD.

Turns out, it was brain damage from firing the artillery...small fissures all throughout the brain caused by repeated, percussive shocks.

If he fired artillery or other heavy weaponry, recommend reading.
Posted by Gaston
Dirty Coast
Member since Aug 2008
40081 posts
Posted on 11/18/23 at 12:28 pm to
Hate that for you. Give him a big hug and let him know he made it through. I’m sure it doesn’t feel like it’s over to him…but it is, and he made it. It didn’t work out so well for some of his friends I’m sure…he owes it to them to keep his head up and live his best life.
Posted by tjohn deaux
GA
Member since Feb 2007
10267 posts
Posted on 11/18/23 at 12:29 pm to
Prayers.
This post was edited on 11/18/23 at 12:32 pm
Posted by Quatrepot
Member since Jun 2023
4135 posts
Posted on 11/18/23 at 12:35 pm to
quote:

try to get him to agree to hand over any firearms
If he agrees to turn over his guns, THEN I would be concerned.
Posted by 756
Member since Sep 2004
15076 posts
Posted on 11/18/23 at 12:38 pm to
Get him a service dog Precision service Dog non profit

I highly recommend from personal experience
Posted by Boks
Red Lodge, MT
Member since Jul 2013
1190 posts
Posted on 11/18/23 at 1:31 pm to
Sorry to hear this. Not sure but this org may be able to help connect your son with some resources. Best of luck.

Operation second chance
Posted by kmcmah1
Member since Mar 2009
1086 posts
Posted on 11/18/23 at 1:31 pm to
I know of several people that have successfully done EMDR therapy to treat trauma. It’s very important to do the proper work beforehand for it to have the desired effect, though. A therapist that specializes in the treatment is absolutely necessary.
Posted by Lithium
Member since Dec 2004
62964 posts
Posted on 11/18/23 at 1:41 pm to
Cape Hope is a great program.
Posted by MeridianDog
Home on the range
Member since Nov 2010
14527 posts
Posted on 11/18/23 at 2:03 pm to
All I can do at the moment is pray for him, and I am doing that. I will continue to pray for him too.

There are PTSD groups that are not VA. In general terms, where does he live?
Posted by USAFLSUTIGER
Alaska
Member since Sep 2011
287 posts
Posted on 11/18/23 at 2:30 pm to
As far as the VA saying he doesn’t have PTSD. Did the Veterans Benefits Administration say that or the Veterans Health Administration? The distinction is important for the purpose of getting him help for the condition, but not for service connecting the condition to receive compensation. He is entitled to mental health treatment through his VA medical benefits. He doesn’t have to be seen by a provider at the VA, he can request a “community care consult” and go to a provider in the community.
It is terrible that he is going through this and deserves to get help.
Posted by latxwoman
Member since Mar 2019
778 posts
Posted on 11/18/23 at 2:59 pm to
Sorry to hear that. I have it, too, from a very traumatic event in childhood. It's Challenging to live with, and people do not understand how it affects us.
This post was edited on 11/18/23 at 3:00 pm
Posted by Goldrush25
San Diego, CA
Member since Oct 2012
33794 posts
Posted on 11/18/23 at 3:02 pm to
quote:

He was deployed for a year at the Syria/Iraq/Jordan border as a LAARNG member. I haven't probed much, but I do know that kids firing at him bothered him greatly and he had to fire back. He had an episode this morning where his wife heard him crying out to God and yelling get down they're firing at us.



When'd he get back? I deployed to Iraq and had nightmares for a good 6 months after I got back but was fine after that. One of my best friends was deployed at the same time with me and is messed up to this very day, drug/alcohol abuse and that was almost 20 years ago.

Everyone is different and agree with those that say he definitely needs therapy if this has been prolonged.
This post was edited on 11/18/23 at 3:08 pm
Posted by thejudge
Westlake, LA
Member since Sep 2009
14392 posts
Posted on 11/18/23 at 3:15 pm to
quote:


Any if y'all have experience in how I van help?


A good place to start is clearing out his conscience.

Talking to a priest and making confession is where I would begin. If he is a spiritual person and understands the connection he has with his maker and the graces extended there.

I've been through a shitload in the last 20 years and it used to give me night terrors. I tried meds, but once I realized we are human and not meant to carry all of the worlds shite...it was like instant relief.

Made a really long solid confession and asked for much forgiveness and left the Lord to shoulder the burden I couldn't anymore.

We are bot equipped. He is.

We are not God.

Thank God.

I pray for yall.
Posted by TigerFanatic99
South Bend, Indiana
Member since Jan 2007
30419 posts
Posted on 11/18/23 at 3:18 pm to
quote:


A good place to start is clearing out his conscience


This is a great point. Even if he didn't do anything wrong, he may feel he did and no one is going to convince him he didn't. So, let him let go of them.
Posted by TigerRoyale
Zwolle
Member since Oct 2023
436 posts
Posted on 11/18/23 at 3:29 pm to
He's suffering. Let him know that you support him and try to keep him from self medicating. The VA has a crisis line that I have used too many times to remember. They will set him up with support. The VA is now very proactive in the treatment of ptsd.
God bless you and your family.
Posted by Polycarp
Texas
Member since Feb 2009
5619 posts
Posted on 11/18/23 at 3:33 pm to
I am older and I have a friend of a friend who served 2+tours in Iraq. He was injured, and sent home. He calls me to talk, and I always make time to listen. I don’t know if I am helping at all, but I will do what I can.
Posted by This GUN for HIRE
Member since May 2022
3228 posts
Posted on 11/18/23 at 3:44 pm to
I pray your son gets thru this, and

frick the VA
Posted by Tmcgin
BATON ROUGE
Member since Jun 2010
5572 posts
Posted on 11/18/23 at 5:16 pm to
I wish him the best
People that serve deserve better !
Posted by POTUS2024
Member since Nov 2022
16063 posts
Posted on 11/19/23 at 3:04 am to
VA is still worth another shot here - despite a lot of people ridiculing the VA, there are good people there. I've found the special programs are riddled with difficulty due to red tape, unclear instructions etc, but to at least get into a clinic and get some care, it's still worth a shot.

If he's registered at a local VA, just walk in and ask for an appointment. You can go the primary care route, or walk directly into Mental Health and ask to speak to a service chief, have your son's SSN, a doctor can see if he's been evaluated at the clinic, and may even be able to schedule an appointment, and you can ask to speak to an advocate like an ombudsman or social worker to get some other info on being able to use the PACT ACT. Can also look for the local vet offfice at the county level.

Hope things are better and that the OP updates us with some good news.
Posted by doc baklava
Between heaven and hell
Member since Oct 2020
876 posts
Posted on 11/19/23 at 7:50 am to
Look into neurofeedback and emdr therapy.
This post was edited on 11/19/23 at 7:51 am
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