First off, I am really happy with the responses from this group.
To the OP- good for you for reaching out, I know how hard it is to do that, it took me 7-8 years to get mine out. While I did not have PTSD from combat, I did have a life or death event when I was in college that changed me forever, and I had PTSD. I would have panic attacks when certain words were spoken, drop into the fetal position and cover up. When I would hear about kids being kidnapped, I would freak out and obsess over things I could not control. I thought I had worked through it on my own, but then it all reemerged after the Iraq war began, particularly when a contractor was kidnapped and Al Qaeda decapitated him. I friggin' lost it. I was crying, shaking, then my wife got mad at me because I was going nuts. She didn't understand what I truly had been through. It was through that talking through that experience that I was finally able to deal with it and true healing began.
My point is that you have to talk about it, really talk. Get into the real issues you are facing. It will help. I used to think that I could gloss over it and it would go away. In reality it just lives in a dark place and comes out when it wants to.
Meds can certainly help, especially when you have severe problems. What helped me in the first months after my experience was being in school, staying busy. It is hard, but you made the right first steps in seeking out help. Please take these guys up on their offers.
To the OP- good for you for reaching out, I know how hard it is to do that, it took me 7-8 years to get mine out. While I did not have PTSD from combat, I did have a life or death event when I was in college that changed me forever, and I had PTSD. I would have panic attacks when certain words were spoken, drop into the fetal position and cover up. When I would hear about kids being kidnapped, I would freak out and obsess over things I could not control. I thought I had worked through it on my own, but then it all reemerged after the Iraq war began, particularly when a contractor was kidnapped and Al Qaeda decapitated him. I friggin' lost it. I was crying, shaking, then my wife got mad at me because I was going nuts. She didn't understand what I truly had been through. It was through that talking through that experience that I was finally able to deal with it and true healing began.
My point is that you have to talk about it, really talk. Get into the real issues you are facing. It will help. I used to think that I could gloss over it and it would go away. In reality it just lives in a dark place and comes out when it wants to.
Meds can certainly help, especially when you have severe problems. What helped me in the first months after my experience was being in school, staying busy. It is hard, but you made the right first steps in seeking out help. Please take these guys up on their offers.
