Experiences with PTSD

1. Experiences with PTSD • Pre-Military: Voracity for life, trusting, engaged to be married. • Post-Military: opposite the above • Trauma(s): • AIT =1st incident • Airborne Training = 2nd Incident • Duty station overseas = 3rd, 4th, 5th, …incidents • In all cases, problems were reported –no actions or penalties except to the victim(s) • End resulting effects: • Intense fear, anxiety, depression, lack of sleep, suicidal, cutting, drinking, panic attacks, distrustful, hidden from the world, constant nightmares and flashbacks • Examples : • Home seclusion, driving experiences, social outings, physical ailments, avoidance tactics, sleeping above the cabinets.

2. Treatment(s) & Progress • 1990-1992 Active duty • MST group and medication therapy 1x week • 1992 – Psychotherapy at Vet Center 5x/week • Medication management with Psychiatric NP • In hospital stays x2 for suicide prevention/depression • 1996 – College and 3x / week • Therapist moved, assigned new – chose to stop treatment shortly after • Medication management / therapy with Psychiatric NP – 1 x every 3 months • Significant physical ailments, dizzy spells, shingles, nervous ticks, etc • 2000 – Significant Life incident • Asked for help, true start of “therapy” • Medication management / therapy with Psychiatric NP – 1 x month • 2002 – PTSD group- what is it • Medication management / therapy with Psychiatric NP – 2 x month • 2004 – Exposure Therapy • 1 x week for 10 weeks – significant side effects • Medication management / with Psychiatric NP 1 x month – med changes • Began reading meditation book focused on Sexual trauma • 2005 – Continued Work • Medication management / therapy with Psychiatric NP – 2 x month • 2009 – Current • Medication management / therapy with Psychiatric NP – 2 x month Current Status: Significantly diminished effects & life satisfaction

3. Suggestions for PTSD treatment from a patient perspective • Patience! • Constant support • Good fit counselor • Availability - time and financial • Understand social impact • Awareness – reduce ‘stigma’ • Holistic approach • Individual specific approach • Show help is available and works