Bishop88, thank you for your service to our country.

Thank you for sharing!
Perhaps the VA is finally recognizing and developing programs to help veterans with PTSD. Jmo, but the most successful ones have integrated professionals into what was once an informal support group of our buds. I strongly believe what kept a lot of Nam veterans going was our huddling together and giving what we could to each other.
Back then PTSD was not recognized as such, we were being written off as cowards/weak/attention-seeking/<insert your own word>...our problems were our own and few heard our whispers for help.
Much the same as civilians with mental health problems, it was shameful to speak out. Ya just didn't "speak of those things."

Seeing people as objects may be a coping mechanism for many of us. It creates a barrier until they earn our trust. It was that way for me. Their safety and comfort were no longer of concern to me. It also meant I didn't have to feel responsible for making them feel better. I got frigging tired of soothing their feelings and fielding their damn advice...well meant advice but way out of line.

Lingering effects for me are heightened awareness of my surroundings, respecting my triggers without making excuses for them, and insisting people do not come up behind me. More than once I have c-cd someone. That has not happened in awhile because I refuse to allow people who do not respect this to be a part of my life. TS.

We learn as we go, sometimes we get stuck, and I have found it is all right to get stuck. My spirit needed the rest...

In Peace
Catherine