PTSD: Asking for Help

Since the beginning of September, two articles have been published relating to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The first article "Report: Post-traumatic stress symptoms often delayed for years for war veterans", talks about how PTSD can take up to months or even years to become evident in war vets. The second article, "Brain Damage Plagues Thousands of GIs" , discusses brain injuries in soldiers that often go unnoticed.

Keeping in mind that I can only speak from my own experience with PTSD, the Army is not doing enough to help soldiers who suffer from PTSD. When my husband, Stonewall, came home from his deployment, several of his family members thought it would be wise to seek help for PSTD. Stonewall did go to speak with someone and they gave him a pamphlet and sent him on his way. A pamphlet! Because last time I checked that is the best way to diaganose and cure a person. I'm pretty sure I also read that's the new treatment being used for cancer: "Here's a pamphlet! Good luck with that lump in your breast."

Perhaps cancer and PTSD can't be compared, but when untreated PTSD can cause such hatred and anger and control issues in a person that it effects their personal and professional life, as well as in the worst of cases, suicide. I would have to say PTSD is pretty serious.

In the second article, Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, urged troops watch for signs of PTSD and to seek help if they believe they suffer from PTSD. Gen. Pace also adds that PTSD is just as much of a war injury as what a bullet or shrapnel would cause.

Stonewall is a tough man. And he has a mindset that I think many male soldiers have: I can handle it on my own, because if I can't, I'm a pussy and I'm weak. I have told him dozens of times that its the strong people that can admit they have a problem and need help. And so we are getting help together. I need help too. I've never had to deal with PTSD before. I'm just as new and confused about it as Stonewall is. I have no idea what he is going through in his head. I did not see the things he saw in Iraq and so I don't understand how what seems like a tiny snag can be a huge roadblock for him. I need to be able to understand his new way of thinking, so I can help him heal. So we started going to a marriage counselor, while Stonewall goes to the VA as well. While we are still in the beginning stages of counseling, it is helping both of us.

Returning soldiers and their families should not be afraid of asking for help. Even if the Army isn't handing out the help in a pretty package, go after the help. The resources are there, you just have to look for them and keep using them until you and your soldier feel normal again.

PS (to the Army) Rather than having your soldiers and their families suffer silently because they really don't know where to get help, how about you gift-wrap the help and hand it to them in a pretty package? And when someone does come to you for help, schedule a second appointment rather than hand them a pamphlet. It was probably hard enough for them to admit that one time they had a problem, don't make them have to ask for help twice.