If you know anyone who has suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder – Be Patient With Him/Her. I imagine many of our soldiers coming back from war will suffer from it. I can relate. I spent an hour with a Physciatrist Counselor today and I am so surprised how, after so many years, I can continue to have flashbacks and dreams which affect you emotionally. It can effect your memory as well as many diseases which are made worse by the stress.
A person with PTSD may use different ways of coping with the stress. In my situation, it was wrong for me “to tell anyone and I was made to believe I was wrong and bad.” Can you imagine in a war situation taking someone’s life to defend freedom and their own life? I am sure that they are trained as to the “why” but to see friends dying has to be so very rough.
During the Christmas Holiday Season they are away from family and their communities. We need to pray for them and support them not just now, but especially when they come back. Many have been injuried and while they have been gone they might have lost family or possessions etc.
I wanted to bring it to the attention of anyone reading my blog that they might have problems years later. My PTSD manifested itself physically and emotionally. I am thankful that no matter what has happened to us, no matter how bad it has been or currently is – there is a God who knows all and who cares.
When I ask myself “How much longer?” I remember that my life rests in His care. However long it will be, I need to follow the path of healing. God is the great Physician and it is to Him I lean on.
So true and my prayers are with them. My dad was in the first Iraq war and all though he really didn’t get into battle or anything (he worked on the helicopters in the army) he came back a changed man. My parents soon divorced after that. They had problems before he went to war but I think things drastically changed after he came home. He was the same yet different.
I have a better relationship with him now. It took a long time but things are better with he and I. Sometimes going through things slowly even though it maybe painful is good for us so we can learn what is causing these things and to hang on to God and know he will get us through this whatever this maybe
. God Bless you!!
By: Jody on December 19, 2008
at 9:07 pm
When I wrote this blog I had no idea that it would touch your life. I am glad you have a better relationship with him. I like your statement that ’sometimes going through things slowly even though it might be painful as it is might be good for us so we can learn what is causing these things. One thing I know for sure, God will never fail me. I may not understand but His love will remain stedfast.
By: light2liveby on December 20, 2008
at 3:02 pm
Amen! I am so glad you let me share in your life with your blog. I know you and I haven’t gone through the same things but I do find a lot of strength in your words and your story! I hope writing this blog helps you and others who read your story! Thank you for letting me into your life
.
By: Jody on December 21, 2008
at 3:59 pm
I think that’s one of the most difficult things for people to understand about PTSD. It takes time (sometimes a long time!) to fully recover. It’s not just something you can “snap out of” by sheer force of will. Thanks for your post. A helpful reminder for everyone … those of us with PTSD and those who care about us.
By: rantingbetty on December 26, 2008
at 3:02 pm
Its been a long road for me to travel. Some years have been good but I think it was because I was so terribly busy that I repressed every thing I was feeling and it finally caught up with me. For me, the hardest thing is how it has affected my cognitive and memory abilities. I’m glad to hear from someone who understands more about PTSD. May you be blessed in this coming year.
By: light2liveby on December 26, 2008
at 10:59 pm