Lately I've been having flasbacks and nightmares ( different version of the flashback). The main flashback involves landmines( bright flashing lites, loud noise), smell of blood and burnt flesh, cries of angony from both humans and animals, and I'm trying to take care of the wounded animals and humans. In real life I had to put the wounded animals out of misery using my sidearm. For an animal lover this was very traumatic especially when my hands were shaking so bad the weapon slipped.

With the nightmares it is the same scenario, but it is my family that I'm trying to save and fail, or it is my friends, or co-workers. Each time I wake up the bed and I are soaked with sweat, I'm shaking and my dogs are trying to calm me down. When I had the nightmare 2 nights ago there was a lighting storm mixed in with the snow. I woke up seeking cover from attack.

I would do just about anything to get a full nights sleep. I average 3-5. Sometimes I wish I had been the one to step on the mine, then I wouldn't be going through PTSD. Will the nightmares ever stop?