View Full Version : PTSD Falklands
Hi, I was diagnosed with PTSD in 1997. Although I reckon I had it up to 15 years before, post Falklands 1982. I was on a Royal Navy ship, damaged during that time.
This would have appeared to have affected me psychologically, I have not had a lot of luck trying to find people who have any experience in counselling in this type of PTSD.
I live in Birmingham UK, and was counselled once by a CPN (community psychiatric nurse), which, I feel, did not do me a lot of good.
The PTSD has presented in several ways, some of which I do not understand. I am very "jumpy", hate loud noises, get very ratty, and have been on and off various antideppressants during the years. My Doctor and my family have been great, I think that my Doctor is as frustrated as I, that the services are just not there that are able to deal with this.
Don't get me wrong, quite a bit of the time I live a fairly "normal" life, but I can't explain to people, or myself, why I suddenly get angry or depressed, or even sometimes, "manic".
Just being able to write this has helped, I hope you don't mind.
Anyway, I'd be very interested as to any input or suggestions people may have, thanks for listening.
Mike44
Hi Mike44
Welcome to the forum. Sounds like you've been having a tough time and it is frustrating trying to find the right help within the NHS.
PTSD can be helped by a technique known as the Rewind Technique (http://www.psychotherapy-center.com/nlp_phobia_trauma_ptsd_treatment.html) which works by removing the emotional arousal that the memory causes.
This is done without the need for you to recount the memory in detail to the therapist or having to relive the memory in any way. The majority of sufferers experience a significant reduction in their symptoms following one session lasting around one and a half hours. The process itself is comfortable, and does not involve 're-living' of unpleasant events. The treatment is carried out while you are relaxed and dissociated from the traumatic memory.
Perhaps you might like to discuss this treatment with your doctor and/or find a therapist who is experienced in using this technique.
Another treatment for PTSD is EMDR (http://www.emdr.com/q&a.htm#q1) although this does involve thinking about and talking about the traumatic memories which is more traumatic for some people.
Karen
It is not easy to find happiness in ourselves, and it is not possible to find it elsewhere.
Hi Karen,
Thanks for your reply. The 2 techniques sound intriguing, I will have to look into them. I will be seeing my doctor in just under 2 weeks.
A lot of the time, I don't visualise, I just remember being scared and nervous
I have just had my mediction changed and am a little fuzzy at the moment, but I would rather not be on medication long term, but I want to give the medication time to see if it helps.
As an aside, I am unable to access the pm's and my profile, even though I have logged in, are there are any settings that I need?
Thanks once again.
Mike44
Hi Mike,
Welcome to the forum.
I'm sure you'll find this site useful and supportive - sounds like Karen has been helping you already...
Take Care,
Ray
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance, I hope you dance.
~Mark Sanders and Tia Sillers
Hallo,
thanks for the warm welcome.
It's sometimes difficult to to relay the way I'm feeling. My doctor put me off work for 2 weeks and I feel I need it, but it is difficult to make certain members of my family understand why (I work at a family run company, my family that is) I can't work. Although that might be my perception.
At the moment I appear to be almost tearful, at the wierdest times, for example watching Star Trek today! Other times I feel like lashing out, although I wouldn't, I'm not a violent person. So I would not be much use at work at the moment.
I think it is just a rough patch for me, it just seems a little more acute.
Like I said earlier, it helps to write it, clears things up in my head.
Mike44
Hi Mike44
I also find writing my feelings out on here helps, so carry on if it also helps you. I am sure you will get a lot of support here.
It is a shame you family are not understanding about the time off. Have you tried to explain how you are feeling and what this is like for you? It is true that there can be a tendency to negatively interpret other people's reactions and it seems you feel there could be an element of this too.
What medication are you taking? If this is an antidepressant it can take a few weeks to start becoming effective and this could also be adding to the way you are feeling right now.
Karen
It is not easy to find happiness in ourselves, and it is not possible to find it elsewhere.
Welcome aboard Mike!! We will do all we can to support you here :D
"If life were simple, word would have got around"
Hi Mike
I don't think I can of much use in terms of advice - I'll leave that to the more knowledgable board members! Just wanted to say that I hope that things get better for you very soon.
Love B x
Hi, thanks,
I think part of the reason is I am unable to articulate my feelings to other people a lot of the time. Sometimes I feel tearful, sometimes angry.
It is difficult to explain to my family about these feelings, perhaps because they have no real concept of what I went through. My ship was at sea for around 111 days, a lot of that time we were at a state of heightened alert, and so consequently was I and all the rest of the crew. So how are they meant to understand.
I have recently been in contact with an army guy who was down there at the time, he runs a website that is to do with that time. I sent him an email describing some of the problems I have been having, he was very helpful, but I also gave a copy of the email to one of my brothers in the hope that it may go some way to describing why I needed to take some time off. Hopefully it will make it a little easier to talk about.
The medication I was on was "effexor", I have now been transferred to one called "mirtazapine". I also take "propanolol", which is to help me feel less jumpy.
Thanks
Mike44
Mike,
I don't know if you're aware but there are several very good internet sites dealing with PTSD and the issues and feelings you've mentioned.
A relevent site (assumuing you haven't been there already) might be the National Centre For PTSD in the US http://www.ncptsd.va.gov/
It's a large site and is primarily for military or ex-military PTSD sufferers. I think you might find this very useful.
If you'd like some more useful sources, let me via this post or pm and I'll respond. I'm a complex PTSD-er and I have great empathy for you.
sincerely
Antipodes
Hi Antipodes,
No I wasn't aware of this site, thank you. I would be very interested in other sites that you are able to tell me about. I have had a look around and it is very helpful, thanks.
I'm unable to access my pm's, I keep getting taken back to the default forum page.
Mike44
Hi Mike,
The services should be able to refer you to one of their PTSD psychologists too even if you are no longer directly under their employment via your GP who may need to refer you more locally first to try all civilian avenues of counselling.
Meg
www.anxietymanagementltd.com
Your anxiety is the human representation of the pictures that you paint using your many vivid colours of revolving and reoccurring thoughts.
How big is your gallery ?
Hi Mike,
I'll look through my bookmanrks and make a short list of the most useful ones. Give me 24h as I can't do it now.
I agree you are entitled to a high level of health support (and probably compensation) from Navy because of the nature of the injury (not illness). I know that in NZ and Australia there are _many_ similar injuries and they are provided with extensive resources and support. It's worth you checking this out.
Antipodes
I have included the URL's to several useful information sites about PTSD. There are a lot around but these have extensive info or good links. If you can't get direct to the inside of the site through these links (sometimes that happens, but maybe not these) you may have to navigate to the site's main entrance and then work through to given location.
I really hope this info is useful to you. I have PTSD legal links to if you want to look at compensation. Maybe later.
National Centre for PTSD - Articles Index (in case you didn't navigate to here earlier)
http://www.ncptsd.va.gov/documents/index.html
UK Site
http://www.besttreatments.co.uk/btuk/conditions/17236.html
extensive self help info
http://www.mentalhelp.net/psyhelp/
info
http://www.sidran.org/trauma.html
info and links
http://www.bpdresources.com/ptsd.html#Top
about PTSD
http://www.trauma-pages.com/
about PTSD
http://www.bullyonline.org/stress/ptsd.htm
If relationships are becoming part of the problem http://www.relationship-institute.com/freearticles.cfm
regards,
Antipodes
Hi, thank you Meg and Antipodes. That's a lot of links, many thanks Antipodes. A very valid point you make Meg, I'm going to look into it, thank you.
I must admit it feels better just making the effort.
I have managed to arrange some counselling with a charity called "Assist" who say they are able to work with PTSD, next Tuesday 4th October, which I hope will help, they are based in Rugby, UK, so I'll have to travel a little, but it should do me good I hope.
Thanks once again,
Mike44
Hi Mike
Treatment of PTSD, I think, involves desensitisation to that particular event.
Your emotional brain is reacting to certain images and memories to the event. You need to show your emotional brain that this can't hurt you anymore. Your emotional brain only understands images and intention, not words. I think this may be why you are feeling down - because you just want to be over this.
I am currently seeking treatment with my local Psychologist that specialises in anxiety disorders. He is the man with the answers! He has ALOT of contacts, all over the world. I will speak to him tomorrow and see if he has any contacts in the UK for you.
I am not an expert, I just want to do what I can to help you.
With time and the right treatment you will be fine :-)
R.Hartcher
Mike,
I urge you to do better than counselling, especially where you have to do significant travel. Cognitive therapy by a psychologist experienced in PTSD is effective especially when combined with appropriate medications. I would think you must have rights and entitlements through Navy hence government to get a free high quality recovery to wellness program being organised for you. Sometimes you might need to see your therapist once weekly and it sounds like Rugby is a fair bit of Petrol and wear and tear.
Hope it works out.
Antipodes
Thank you Ruthie88 and Antipodes for your answers. I have been looking into other avenues. There are 2 centres that I have found.
One is called Ty Gwyn, which is in Wales.
I recieved an appointment yesterday (Friday) to attend a surgery at Dudley, which is not too far away, where the consultant, who travels around the country doing surgeries, will assess whether I fit the criteria to go to Ty Gwyn. If I do, I will need to be referred by my Doctor.
The other place is Combat Stress, who I spoke to on Friday, I am awaiting a visit from them. They run a centre called Audley Court.
Both of these centres are renowned for helping people with PTSD, so hopefully I will get into at least one of them.
Mike44
carldourish
03-11-05, 22:47
Hi Mike. Have you tried EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) It doesn't erase the memory, but it alters the emotion attached too it.
Check this out.
www.freedom-therapy.co.uk
mike,
know nothing about ptsd really but it seems many here do and i hope you find help soon. just noticed in your replies that you seem keen to get on with your life and over this and thats the attitude that makes the difference.
good luck pal.
andy
Hi Mike, my father served in the Falklands with 2 para but developed PTSD a few years before during his tour of Northern Ireland. He served our government for over 18 years of his life.
2 years into civvy street, he took his own life. The MoD didn't even pay for his funeral. My family and I have been devastated for years and miss him incredibly.
I was born and raised in the forces community and attended military schools. I've known soldiers my entire life mate and although you're navy, it doesn't matter, you're still part of "the family"
I can put you in touch with an organisation named SAMA 82 - its a charity run by Falklands veterans suffering with PTSD. Its a HUGE family of guys just like you - run by guys just like you.
Contact me for more info or just visit the website and go about things in your own way - http://www.sama82.org/index.htm
Remember brother, you've survived a war, you have actually seen war so dont let any CPN or anyone else belittle, patronise or make you feel bad about yourself.
SAMA 82 may be the way forward for you.
God bless mate, I commend you for getting this far. Here for you regardless.
Reece.
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