[Xander187]

im a combat vet from afghan i did some pretty ugly **** while i was there can anybody help me with my anxiety and being able to sleep

[kaliope]

i have this thing called an anxiety meter that i visualize in my head. it goes from 0 to 10, 10 being the worst anxiety ever. so when i am anxious, i see where the needle registers on the meter. then i do breathing exercises until i get it down to a four. which is manageable for me. sometimes i see a knob on the meter and i will manually turn down the meter to four so i can calm down faster. practicing this enough, all i have to do now when i am anxious is say dial down, and i can calm myself.

[Open Eyes]

Hi Xander187, I see you are a fairly new member here so welcome to PC and the PTSD forums.

What you are discribing is faily common with veterans that come home after experiencing combat as you are discribing and begin to struggle with PTSD symptoms. There is a program in place for the veterans that have the challenges you are discribing and it is "really" helpful in addressing the challenge that you are discribing. Often veterans obstain from reaching out for help because they fear the label of PTSD, however, this program really does help and is designed in such a way that the veterans, once they get involved with the program, begin to notice how much it is helping them verses their trying to resolve this challenge on their own which leads to feeling isolated and overwhelmed.

What is going to help you slowly make gains on not only being able to sleep, but to bring a sense of "inner" peace as well is through talking about it, grieving it along with others who can genuinely validate how deeply troubling the challenge is once someone finally steps away from that kind of environment. The sooner you reach out for help the better too because you definitely deserve the right support and validation for your challenge with this and it really does make a huge difference in your ability to slowly process it with others who "do" understand the way you are now deeply challenged because you are definitely not "alone" with this challenge.

When someone struggles with PTSD whether it is combat related or not, they do struggle with sleep for a while and often will need a medication to help with that until they work through the different aspects of their challenge to a point where they have finally processed it which is "gradual" and literally "one day at a time". I am sure right now you don't see that happening because you are struggling so much, however, I promise, you actually "can" work through this challenge and slowly make gains on it so you are not as challenged as you feel right now.

[Xander187]

i know this is very common with combat vets alot of my buddies are goinig threw it right now also. but other than meds i have no idea how to control it without the meds. i hate going to councilers because i have been threw 3 years of counciling and have not had any progress. it just seems like all they do it sit there and listen and say oh tell me more. never tell me how to cope with it. so it seems pointless i have no friends and family doesnt help at all so i very alone and lost.

[Open Eyes]

There is supposed to be a program set up for vets, it doesn't sound like you have been through it. I saw a program on this service not so long ago on PBS/CPTV, I will have to check the net and see if I can find it. It doesn't sound right to me that you are not receiving funds so you can have a place to live.

[Xander187]

ya i have no bank accounts or any income. when i asked for it from the army or state they all denied me. i have other mental problems on top of ptsd and got injured in the army but nobody cares to help lol

Originally Posted by Open Eyes

There is supposed to be a program set up for vets, it doesn't sound like you have been through it. I saw a program on this service not so long ago on PBS/CPTV, I will have to check the net and see if I can find it. It doesn't sound right to me that you are not receiving funds so you can have a place to live.

[Open Eyes]

I have met vets who have not talked about or reported they have PTSD because they worry that it will prevent them from getting work and more education.

You know there are people who "do" care, unfortunately they don't have the financial ability to help.

I also read an article about how they are not really following up to see if the treatment provided is actually helping our veterans. So I actually believe you did some kind of program and still struggle as I have mentioned some states are lousy in providing the help that is really needed. I know my therapist has worked with veterans and he probably does a much better job than the VA. I have gone for my own appointments and seen veterans that were before me getting therapy.

I think that what helps ease PTSD is reducing the stress and I would say being homeless is not a way of reducing stress.

[Xander187]

I have heard that alotfrom my vet friends. Even if u put ur a vet on ur resume then u are more likely to get denied a job. I don't know why but its be to me. We go put our lives in harms way to protect our population and when you get out ur not remembered as a hero but can't even get a job because ur a vet. The county wants to just turn a blind eye to combat vets like they don't exist. If anything it should help in getting a job because nothing will be as hard as the things I have accomplished in the past. I have been threw programs and counciling in my opinion it doesn't help maybe if it was a combat vet as a counciler. But going for a hour to talk about ur problems and paying over $50 does not help me. I have a journal that cost $7 and can do the same job. The va has turned me away. Will not help at all because of my ****** unit I had. My co and first Sgt told me that they will do everything in their power to make sure I do not get help or any money or benefits from the army. Its ********. Then congress wonders why we have such a bad problem with combat vets getting help.

Hi Xander187,

I'm also a combat veteran (U.S. Navy), and I'm really sorry how the VA has treated you.

Since I don't know what state you live in (I live in FL, very vet friendly) it's difficult to give you the best advice. Based on that, my first bit of advice is to apply for a job at Starbucks. The CEO of Starbucks (Howard Schultz) is a huge advocate for veterans and hires tens of thousands of veterans every year. Even if the other candidate is more qualified for a position than you, Starbucks will hire you simply because you're a veteran. Being a veteran myself, I realize that the Army has made you a leader and Starbucks realizes that too. The USPS hires more veterans than any other company, but it takes some time to get a job there (I would try Starbucks first).

Feel free to PM any time you want, and remember this: I got your 6.

[newday2020]

Originally Posted by Xander187

ya i have no bank accounts or any income. when i asked for it from the army or state they all denied me. i have other mental problems on top of ptsd and got injured in the army but nobody cares to help lol

Contact your local VA. They will see you.

[Open Eyes]

susanemily, he has tried that and has shared that he has not been helped. I believe him as some of these VA hospitals are not really helping vets as they are understaffed and under funded.

[Parley]

Xander did you receive an honorable discharge? all the information is spread out in several threads but you were thrown in the brig because someone accused you of stealing a phone? No proof just accusations? I also seen where you said they put you out so did you not finish your contract?

[Xander187]

I got a other than honorable. Yes it was just a e4 word against mine. My contract was 3 years and I was in for a day less than three years. So in turn they say I'm not eligible. When they threw my in prison they had like 40 charges against me all bs nothing hard evidence. But I had a choice get out in 10 days or stay in prison for two years waiting on a trial and then still get thrown out. So I took the ten days so I could be home for Xmas.

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