Originally Posted by ViroBono

In any sort of psychological therapy, it's essential that there's a good rapport between the therapist and the patient (I hate 'client' - lawyers and prostitutes have clients). Sadly, for many of us, there is simply no element of choice; you are given an appointment and that's that. You're sometimes lucky to see the same person twice.

I was very lucky to have been diagnosed and treated initially within the military system; my subsequent brush with the NHS was not a success, and working within the military medical system helped me to be seen by the military again. I was diagnosed in 1999, and discharged from formal care in 2001, since when I've learned to live with it.

The inability to sleep properly is the worst thing; I don't think I've had a really good sleep since '99. Recently I've noticed that my concentration is poor, and I've started to get the feeling of impending doom more and more. I'm told that I'm grumpier than usual, and more miserable. I haven't had a bad patch for quite some time, but I think this is another one. Just to add some icing, I was also recently diagnosed with IBS, as if I needed another stress-related drama. Anyway, I think I'll probably give Combat Stress a ring, and circumvent the waiting list to be assessed (for another waiting list).

In a way I'm looking forward to telling my line manager, who before Christmas was convinced that my anger and frustration at the lack of support I was getting from above in dealing with a problem staff member was don to PTSD. I really hate the 'responsible employer' sh!te; asking if there's anything they can do (yes; get out of my grid) on one hand, whilst on the other clearly looking at me as if I'm a complete lunatic and making me feel that I'm to blame. So far I've taken pride in not taking time off when I have a bad day, and even deployed (not one of my best decisions), but I look at the time my colleagues take for the most trivial reason. Maybe a rest will do me good - I could even get some of these random words onto paper.

My other half is really very understanding. When I can't sleep and have to have a light on she doesn't mind; she puts up with my rants and bad temper. If only she understood that ARRSE is therapy...

VB,

Do take the time off. You're entitled to it as an employee who can get stress for any number of reasons. You're double entitled to it because of how your condition arose.

No-one ever thanks you for turning up unwell. In fact in my experience, you're slated for not doing as good a job as they know you can do!

Look after yourself. Then your ever patient wife. Then your family, near and far. The job comes way down the line after that.

Its a blog so here goes. Diagnosed in 1999 with PTSD after suffering with all around me for 10 years. Believed I was a total cnut, sobbing in the corner at the end of any Mess Regi/Ladies/Xmas/Summer function. Acted like a cnut to my now ex wife and family, isolated myself and turned to drink. I did a bit of self diagnosis in 99 and plucked up the courage and put myself forward for treatment before the end of my 22 and had many fruitful sessions of therapy in Tidworth on Tuesday afternoons. Got to the stage where it is sorted, will never be cured but everything is in its boxes and only the occasional one springs open. The demons have come back recently and I have no idea why. The last two weeks have been really shitty, wanted to be on my own, unable to sleep etc and for no obvious reason, however the positive thing is that I can now recognise the symptoms and can deal with them. My new wife was fully briefed before committing and has beeen totally supportive. It sure helps to have someone who knows what is going on. I know lots out there are suffering, bite the bullet and get the help you deserve. Just cos it don't show dont mean there is no hurt. PM me if you want.

As a suffer for the last 40 years from 1.1.66 who has truned in to therapist for the last 10 years and worked with both service and civilian sources including young people in the Youth offending system. Think i have some idea of what works for the suffer and their fmailies out there that no bodyu gives a damm about. I am very into the latest reasearch from the US on the subjectof pted and what works as therapy it seems to be a bit of right side of the brain and art therapy, Plus the wide spread use of visualuaistion as this works best to address the method of changing how you view the teauma dnhow ou can change how you see what hapend and look for a better way of coping this is the most succesful wa of therapy to date, Iam use the holistic methods of BACH flowers and the use of Professor Daina Mosser work. very suscessful in the treatment of PTSD.
Contact me on elcid5510@hotmail.com for more information

Originally Posted by elcid4410

As a suffer for the last 40 years from 1.1.66 who has truned in to therapist for the last 10 years and worked with both service and civilian sources including young people in the Youth offending system. Think i have some idea of what works for the suffer and their fmailies out there that no bodyu gives a damm about. I am very into the latest reasearch from the US on the subjectof pted and what works as therapy it seems to be a bit of right side of the brain and art therapy, Plus the wide spread use of visualuaistion as this works best to address the method of changing how you view the teauma dnhow ou can change how you see what hapend and look for a better way of coping this is the most succesful wa of therapy to date, Iam use the holistic methods of BACH flowers and the use of Professor Daina Mosser work. very suscessful in the treatment of PTSD.
Contact me on elcid5510@hotmail.com for more information

MOD's please get rid of this idiot.

Reading your entry about PTSD hit a real chord. Although I have not experienced it myself I am very close to someone who did. The hardest part for him was that fact that many of those close to him had no understanding of what he was experiencing or what he had gone through. In particular the attitude of 'grin and bear it' - that's what they did in the world wars, was particularly offensive (not to take anything away from what was suffered in World War 1 and 2). Being able to talk about it openly with people who care about you has certainly assisted; understanding many of the symptoms of nightmares, flashbacks, sudden adrenaline rushes, fear and being around people who acknowledge what you have been through also helps.

I too wish it was more widely understood and its milder forms of it (if milder is the correct term). It seems to me that there is serious lack of understanding and care around post-ops.

As they say keep on keeping on and don't forget to take the pils!

I have been married to my husband for 15 years. Two years ago his condition started. I call it condition, because i have no name for it. Even though we have been back and forth to consult doctors, psychologists and psychiatrists, he has not been diagnosed. His condition contains severe pain in his stomach, testicles and arms. The pain is that bad that he can´t help but cry. During an attack he cries for help,but at the same time is very offensive to those who are close to him. We explained to friends and family about the deamon who lives with us, but not everybody understood. His parents comment was: "well lad, the doctors say there´s nothing wrong with u, so snapp out of it" followed by remarks that these days soldiers were not like they used to be. Needless to say that contact with them is now down to birthday- and christmascards. He battles on bravely and i am and always will be there for him, but it´s breaking my heart. I won´t let him see my tears, as i know that seeing my pain will only make him feel worse.
I just needed to get it of my chest, as i can´t really talk to anybody about it.

Originally Posted by wicked70

I just needed to get it of my chest, as i can´t really talk to anybody about it.

I hope that just being able to write on this forum has helped in some small way.

You can always come back and write some more about whatever you feel like - all of us here understand not only the difficulties, but how helpful it can be to write about them.

Hear Hear VB !

WW

knowing someone pretty well, being in such a "condition", i empathize with you wicked70

Help!

I am a bit of a an odd fish. Not military strictly but have been working with the forces for years. I spent almost 4 years in Iraq, a couple of years in Afghanistan and a dozen other nasty places as well. My fiancé was military ... I met him in Iraq. We both suffered from PTSD not that we admitted it was that. Together it was fine, we both used to sleep in our bashas in the garden and elsewhere and didn't think it was at all odd! He didn't mind when I woke him up and vice versa (unless it was because of his snoring and then I was tempted to smother him with a pillow). My reason for writing is that he died, three months ago, in front of me. I did all the obvious stuff but it didn't work. Now I am trying to deal with it all on my own, his death, my symptoms are back with a vengeance, I am on my own in a foreign country and because I am not military there is bugger all support, or so it seems for people like me. I am also dealing with the fact that when we were working together he dragged me out of the way of something nasty but when it came to it and he needed me I wasn't able to save him.

Other than shutting up, dealing with it and getting on with life (which I have had from our "civi friends" any ideas what I can do? It is fairly desperate at the moment and I could really do with some better alternatives than the one i came up with