[slocalocal]

I am a new member to the forums. I would like to be able to post and comment in this forum. I was a combat medic that was never deployed to a combat zone. I was assigned to a post hospital that provided EMS coverage to the base and surrounding areas as well as respond to actual casualties within the training box at JRTC. I seem to straddle this area where I was exposed to combat injuries and most of my intrusions and persistent memories come from these. I want to disclose my status and ask the folks who saw combat if they feel I do not fit the criteria before I post anything else. Thank you.

[CANDC]

Hi slocalocal and welcome to Psych Central. You have come to the right place. There are combat vets that have posted to this forum. PTSD can happen to anyone and you certainly have been exposed to combat by experiencing the victims of combat.

There are many other forums you may find relevant.
http://forums.psychcentral.com

You can also private message a Community Liason with questions you may have.

You can also read other posts under Combat PTSD and comment where you feel concerned or wanting to reach out. This is also a way you can met others that feel your pain.

[Xander187]

i was in afghan and saw combat and me personaly would fit you in ptsd not combat ptsd. combat ptsd is specificly for people who were in combat. i know you can still see some stuff being in jrtc but you dont have the fear or see the extent of injuries as you do in combat. mainly i thin what triggers combat ptsd is the constant state of fear and always being on alert.

[CANDC]

Originally Posted by Xander187

i was in afghan and saw combat and me personaly would fit you in ptsd not combat ptsd. combat ptsd is specificly for people who were in combat. i know you can still see some stuff being in jrtc but you dont have the fear or see the extent of injuries as you do in combat. mainly i thin what triggers combat ptsd is the constant state of fear and always being on alert.

Thank you for sharing your observations about PTSD. It helps give me a clearer definition of what makes a person have combat PTSD.

I don't know if you would consider virtual conditions as damaging as actual combat. I have a friend that is experiencing PTSD after too many violent games on the computer. They claim it is not necessarily it is the physical circumstances but the mental anguish and constant alertness that is hard to turn off when the game is over or I imagine when the combat stint is over.

Another inner city person describes their neighborhood in the same terms you describe combat PTSD as a constant fear and alertness. I am sure there are differences between real combat and virtual or indirect PTSD, but for the person immersed in these environment it brings up the question if the effects are really that different.

[Xander187]

i can tell you from experience that virtual and real are very diffrent i did training in virtual reality with m4;s that had air power to simulaite a bolt firing. and that is totally difffrent then real life. i have not met anybody who hasnt had combat ptsd so i cant say but frrom what i read that the symtoms are similiar but diffrent. it all depends on the situation. but it seems like people are getting more and more mentaly weak. they cant handle alot of mental punishment. and i think that is why alot of people are getting ptsd from stupid fake stuff like playing a video game. its fake you are not going to get shot you are not going to see dead people you arent goinig to see your best friends get shot and loose limbs. and if somebody is getting ptsd from playing a game im glad they arent in the war because they couldnt handle it. and if i was at war and couldnt count on the guy next to me to save my life then i would be real worried.

[Parley]

Originally Posted by slocalocal

I am a new member to the forums. I would like to be able to post and comment in this forum. I was a combat medic that was never deployed to a combat zone. I was assigned to a post hospital that provided EMS coverage to the base and surrounding areas as well as respond to actual casualties within the training box at JRTC. I seem to straddle this area where I was exposed to combat injuries and most of my intrusions and persistent memories come from these. I want to disclose my status and ask the folks who saw combat if they feel I do not fit the criteria before I post anything else. Thank you.

Combat PTSD (4 Viewing)
Specifically for topics related to military members who are grappling with PTSD and the after-effects of seeing active duty and/or combat situations. Warning: Topics may be triggering.

Even if others don't see you as a combat veteran~ serving alone gives you the right to post. I think it was labeled wrong but it's not my site and you know what they say, "I am an American and I have a right to be wrong."