A Soldier's Guide to PTSD

I have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, more commonly known as PTSD. I served in the US Army from September 20th 2001 through January 2nd 2005, three years three months and thirteen days. After returning home, on a medical discharge, like many soldiers throughout many wars, I didn't want to talk about the things I saw, the things I did, or really anything at all to do with my time as a soldier. I kept my mouth shut for four years, until one night while I was at work, a subordinate lost their temper with me and proceeded to grab me by my shirt and yell into my face, that quickly, I was back in the war, hearing and seeing the bullets and explosions again after all that time, I managed through some miracle to keep myself together long enough to get to the local hospital where for ten days they kept me under psychiatric care, it was at this time in my life that I realized that I had not only fought the war over seas but that I had brought it home with me, this article is for my brothers and sisters in arms, especially with so many coming home now. I hope this will help my comrades to avoid what I went through and help them acknowledge that one of the most defining moments of our lives will be carried with us forever.

Acknowledge the Experience

First, acknowledge what you went through, and the possibility that you may have PTSD. A great many of us have seen things we will never forget, many of us have killed for our country or seen our comrades killed for the same reason. These are things that cannot be forgotten, nor should they be, at the end of the day you have to acknowledge what you have been through, not attempt to forget what you have seen or done. Yes, war is a moment of great inner struggle and for most there has come a time when your morality has been tested, you must remember that there are higher moralities than just our personal ones. The United States has an all volunteer military, we signed up in the name of that higher morality, because duty, love of country and freedom meant something to us. This is the morality that we must hold on to, because we did our duty, loved our country, and fought for freedom, at the end of the day keep this in the front of your mind. We went willingly to defend our country, and there is no shame in what we did as a result.

Recognize the Warning Signs

Second, recognize the warning signs of PTSD, if a car backfires and you instantly flinch or duck, you might very well have PTSD. The condition of PTSD comes in many forms, but the best definition I can give for it is that even though you have come home, the war stays fresh in your mind. The symptoms of PTSD should not be ignored, if you find yourself not being able to stay in the present rather that your mind is continuously living in the war that you left behind, these are warning signs. Do not allow yourself to brush off the early warning signs as I did, the consequences are that it will only get worse in time, it took me four years to accept I had PTSD, and it took a major event to realize I had it, please do not let this happen for you.

Talk about it

Third, talk about what you went through. Your experiences in the war will always remain a cornerstone of the building that makes up your personality. Refusing to speak of your experiences only causes them to become more dominant in your mind. Family and friends are a a good outlet for what you went through, take the time to speak to them about what you it, and what exactly happened to you out there in the thick of things. Do not spare details, believe it or not your friends and family want to hear and to help you get it off your chest, and speaking of it becomes something like an outlet valve, allowing you to let off the steam before it becomes to much and you explode.

Find a Refuge

Fourth, find a safe place. Pick a spot within easy access to you where you feel completely safe. This can be a stream close to your house, the presence of a trusted friend of family member, or simply your own home. Make yourself a refuge and when you feel the need, go to that place to remind yourself that yes, the war is over, and yes you did your duty as a good soldier does. Do not allow the war to control you, rather learn from your experiences during the war and apply them to your everyday life. This will help you realign your focus from the war that is in the past, to the present where you you can acknowledge that the war is over.

At the end of the day, none of us can forget what we have seen and done, war is something so huge and so stressful, that there is no way to simply brush it aside, nor should you want to. The experiences you learned during the war, the horror and the camaraderie should never be forgotten. To forget those things is to forget the reason we went, and those who gave the ultimate sacrifice to do their duty for our country. However, we must also not let the war control our behavior now that we have returned home. Follow the steps above and you can prevent that, I know because I follow them now, I just wish I had before I reached my breaking point. If you follow my guide, you can avoid reaching yours. I welcome you home my brothers and sisters, we fought for our country, and should take pride in that.