combat ptsd among other things

My husband didnt know he had ptsd until about a month ago. The symptoms were in full effect after we got off of 30 days of leave. I have mild ptsd from an abortion at an early and from combat in the military. My husband is having a hard time ... I told him it gets worse before it gets better. He has made many medication changes within a short period of time. I do believe that I had slight Ocd before the army, ptsd and I was always very shy. With my Ets coming up in a week. I still have no job. My extreme anxiety/panic attacks, phobias, ptsd, ocd, and depression kicked in at full force about two months ago. The psychiatrists are still trying to figure out which illness or illnesses are causing all of these symptoms. I'm just so down on myself and discouraged because I am miserable. I don't want to be like this. My husband has had some of the same symptoms...anxiety/panic attacks, flashbacks... among other things. He is also down on himself because he doesn't want to be like this. The military is just horrible for some people. Anyone with inspiration out there? We both need it and want to feel accepted.. because there is so much stigma out there.

oh tough one hon. I wish I had all the answers to help you both. is he still in military?

((((((Acinom Etales))))))

I am so sorry to hear your struggling, please try to do your best to calm yourself, yes, I am sure your struggling and yes PTSD CAN be very troubling. Both you and your husband have to do your best to try to stay calm and truely give yourselves time to understand yourselves better and PLEASE, know that this IS something that CAN be addressed and that it truely takes time. PLEASE, whatever you do, don't allow yourselves to be down on yourselves in anyway, this CAN happen and yes being in the Military can bring this on. However, in time, with help you can slowly learn how to overcome these bouts with anxiety, flashbacks and panic attacks.

Try to think of it this way, YOU NOW NEED TIME TO DECOMPRESS, both of you need this and your not alone and there IS help for this. One thing that you must remember is TRY "NOT" to feed into it. Make sure you do your best to take deep breaths and talk to yourself, tell yourself to calm and if you begin to feel yourself struggling, find a very quiet place and just let yourself be in the moment, one moment at a time and talk to yourself and say, " I am only in the moment, just one moment at a time and truely let yourself just be allowed to be in slow quiet moments until you start to calm down and relax more.

You may need to take some Klonopin for the anxiety to help you calm down, that is something I had to take, however it is up to the psychiatrists and I do hope both of you make sure that you see therapist's and Pdocs that specialize in PTSD.

Never feel guilty or shamed for experiencing this, be very kind to yourself ALWAYS.
Please, do not worry about stigmas that you "think" are out there, you have to let go of that and focus on yourselves and getting treatment. Know that you will gradually learn to overcome this in time. Everyday, remind yourselves, you are safe, and you are going to learn how to be calm again. Make a conscious decision that NOW and for as much as you may need YOU will be KIND to yourself and allow yourself to take whatever time you need to slowly overcome this. Please don't decide that this is perminent, give yourselves lots of time to recover. Know that you are not alone and you CAN get help with this, NEVER be ashamed or embarrassed. Don't let the fear create more fear, allow yourselves time to overcome.

Also if you click on other threads under combat PTSD you can read how other vets struggled and did get help and how they found help.

Let us know how you make out, come here anytime you need support.

Open Eyes

Sending you inspiration...my thoughts, hopes for a brighter time for both you and your husband.........AND

Welcome to PC ((((((((((((((((((Acinom Etales)))))))))))))))))))!!!~~~hugs theo