Hi, I have PTSD (non-military related, childhood & sexual abuse stuff) and have always been curious about something related to those who have been in & seen war. For various reasons, I just quit therapy after almost three & a half years. I am still royally messed up, suffering symptoms of PTSD that keep me from doing daily functions and normal routine things, in other words nowhere near better.

Many, many times in therapy, my therapist would tell me I sounded just like a Vietnam veteran he had seen, like a prisoner of war, or like someone who grew up in a concentration camp. I have never been to war yet he said I spoke exactly like that soldier and when I read the stories about the guys who come back from Iraq and go nuts because they see, hear, and smell war still everywhere, I know exactly what they mean. And the stories about the nightmares and trying to avoid sleep, oh I can totally relate.

The therapist would always tell me I live in a war zone (I know he meant that metaphorically), but it would always baffle me that I could have the same problems and anxiety as someone who saw and experienced the horrors of war. I know some of the horrible things that guy was forced to do and witness in Vietnam and I could never imagine that guy thinking my past was problematic in comparison to his.

I would tell my therapist yeah right, if a soldier heard my story or what happened to me in my life they would probably laugh and call me a f**king p**sy in comparison to what they've seen & done during war. When I saw this section I figured here's my chance to ask some soldiers what they had to say about that and if they indeed would consider my forms of trauma nothing in comparison to theirs. I just don't understand how someone who grew up in a non-war zone (although it felt like one and was a very chaotic and unstable home environment with constant threats of attack) could end up like someone who did spend time in a real war zone. Would be really curious to hear what you think.