PTSD And Understanding What’s Next

Jan. 10, 2013 - PRLog -- I wrote about an article about PTSD and an old friend reached out to me to tell me her story dealing with PTSD. I am so grateful for her. Having someone with a wealth of knowledge that speaks in a way that even I can understand it meant so much. A few minutes on the phone with her and I know more than I did in total. For that, I am grateful.

Lisa’s husband was deployed to Afghanistan about six years ago (approximation). When he returned, he was changed, different. He had PTSD. Instead of running, she dug in, studied, and invested in her husband to make a life with him possible. She has inspired me. This is going to be more fact than creative. Here is what I learned.

1. PTSD is forever. This hit me hard. I can’t imaging how it affected my son.

2. The Army over medicates. This wasn’t news. Lisa’s husband did a lot better after he began seeing his civilian doctor.

3. A quality life is possible. Understanding, treating, and counseling, is the path to a functional, quality life.

4. Most marriages do not make it. When Lisa asked how the other wives were  dealing with PTSD, she was told there wasn’t any that her husband knew of.

5. Lisa gave me the title of a book that changed her life. It was written specifically for PTSD combat vets from Iraq & Afghanistan. The name and link is“Courage After Fire” (http://www.amazon.com/Courage-After-Fire-Strategies-Afgha...). I ordered a copy for myself, my daughter Kathryn, and my daughter Sarah Beth, on her Kindle.

I wish I had understood PTSD before allowing my son’s behavior to get to me so badly. Now, I will learn practical ways of living with PTSD, and helping someone with PTSD. These are our finest in many cases. In my son’s case it certainly was. More later. Thanks for being on the journey with me.

If you have questions about PTSD or a story of your own, I’d like to hear from you.

k@kstepp.com