This post hit home as I have lived with ("self-diagnosed" PTSD) for over a year now after attempting to commit suicide, despite the fact that I was actively seeking help...

I say "self-diagnosed" as my therapist did not want to use the word PTSD due to the sensitivity of the term. To this day, I suffer trigger events, nightmares, emotional detachment, rage, and a host of other emotions...and I'm still on active duty. I gave up seeking military care as I am due to retire and cannot afford to lose my clearance while my case is pending. After a year+ of antidepressants, Googling, talks with my wife and internalization of my experiences, I've decided to work through this on my own, hoping I can find others to share my concerns with. I realize this is not the best approach but I can't find other choices. I simply don't trust others like I used to.

Now, I find myself web crawling, looking for support groups, forums and other methods to achieve a sense of closure. I have completely lost faith in the military and VA groups as I sense they are mitigated by financial or bureaucratic agendas. Although I can find some solace with a local vet group, the attendance is limited to less than a handful.

Lastly, I realize my comments are risque to post, as I am still active duty, but with only a few months left in and a full life ahead of me, I figure the benefit outweighs the risk. I know there are others in my position - I've met them.

I hope we can all come home one day....