[hope2better]

I have so many issues it is hard to list them all. First is my biggest issue. I have riding in car phobia, its when you ride in a car and freak out over feeling like you don't have control and are scared of wrecking. I was in a bad accident. I am always freaked out in a car especially when I am not driving that I can't even look up at the road. When I drive I am a little better but still freak out over nothing. I have thought about giving my license up but haven't yet because of my girls. I also have some obssesive compulsive disorders that make me feel like I need to pick my skin and bite my nails all the time. I constantly smell my fingers and yes i know it sounds weird but its the truth and i am desperate for help, for a normal life. I have a big issue with self-esteem. I am 24 years old and I should have a great self-esteem but I don't. I served 4 years in the Marine Corps and that life was awful for me and created some of the problems I have now. I was told by the Dr. at a Veterans clinic that I needed to get real for thinking the Marine Corps made me bite my nails so that just made me angry and not want to go there anymore of course. I know what he is saying but he doesn't understand the things I saw that made me the way I am today. I just wish there were people that could understand and relate to my same issues. Does anyone else experience these things?

[wisewoman]

I think I have spent my life on the verge of losing it. The VA doc who was rude to you was doing his job which is to try to minimize service related claims of injury and disability. I encourage you with all of my heart to go to a VA clinic and state that you have issues relating to your experience in the Marines and need to speak with someone. Get a psychiatrist through the VA. You very well may have a service connected claim and also you are entitled to the help of this lovely country who treats our children this way. You are doing the best you can. It's not you it's the world, that is how I often feel.

[FaithisAlive]

YEs.. I agree.. going back to the VA and telling them exactly how you are feeling and how you were affected by service to his counrty.... I would even suggest you take it one step further if you have to and contact your state representatives if you have to.You deserve to be taken care of!I . Personally am thankful for your willingness to serve!

I hope you will find this to be a place where you can come to for encouragement and hope. People here are caring and supportive so feel free to let the emotions out.

Peace.. Faith

i think i can explain some of what you said, i hope i make sense to you, hope2better.

the car phobia, well that is because of the accident you suffered, that will fade with time as long as you keep getting in the car and watching the road etc. you freak out as a passenger because you dont have control of the enviroment you are in, so you panic. you have to try to trust in who ever may be driving at the time and trust that another accident is highly unlikely, so you shouldnt fear a crash, again, this will fade with time, you just need to allow yourself to deal with it and by talking about it here you are doing well.

i use to pick the skin off my hands, palms mainly. i always did it due to boredom, i have stopped now and i dont think it was OCD. where as in your situation, the marine corps does teach you to be so strcit with yourself and i have heard of many cases where people have developed OCD from it. i would also advise you see someone about it. and make them listen to your issues, if they dont understand, keep at it. they will do eventually. oh, and it doesnt sound wierd at all, it sounds completely natural to me.

starting therapy for the things you saw in the marine corps will help drastically, and it will help your OCD too. plus, it will build your self esteem too, which is important. i am the same, i have no self esteem and i am 19. so i know where you are coming from with that one!

all of what you are experiencing is entirely natural considering your circumstances, so you have no need to feel wierd or odd because yuo have these issues. they can all be resolved with alot of hard work with/from the right people, ie, therapists etc.

i wish you all the best H2B, and i hope you resolve these issues soon.

speak soon

simon