His been on two tours to Iraq. The first tour ('05-'06) when he came back He was different of course but nothing really wrong I was there for him and we talk alot
but He just got back from the second one mid last year and lately he has been talking and almost screaming in his sleep and he wakes up in sweat!! I ask him whats wrong and he said he had this flash back where he saw like 20 kids die over a bomb or (he got a purple heart in a IED) and has flashback of his friend dying.
when I see him alone I see him just sitting there staring into the air and I can tell his thinking...he tells me don't worry his fine
Don't get me wrong we talk alot about this and he says Ive seen alot over there. and I know war changes people! but I just want to know what can this be PTSD or is this Normal?
and Im worry b/c he might have to go to Managai Markess, Afghanistan.
I hope I don't sound like a bad wife asking strangers but I need to ask ppl in the military or know about this...b/c i just love him so much
Thanks %26amp; God-blessI need advice from Military men/women or military wives on whats wrong with my Husband?is this normal?
It would be good to talk to a chaplain or a family service center representative on your base. It is normal to have adverse reactions to these events, but it never hurts him to talk to someone about it. You are a great wife. Thanks for looking out for him. We (guys) don't like admitting weakness, so you may have to help him go see these folks. Don't harass him, maybe you go, and have the chaplain stop by and take him to lunch.
Good luckI need advice from Military men/women or military wives on whats wrong with my Husband?is this normal?
definetely is PTSD he needs to get into a support group it will DEF help. you can listen but cant relate get him to one as fast as possible.
I would urge you to let his Top or First Sergeant know and let them approach him about it. Things like this can affect people in a lot of different ways and sometimes they can work through it themselves while others don't and then other problems surface as a result of it. They can better relate to him about this since they have probably been deployed themselves and give him some advice and even force him to go to counseling if they think it is warranted. A huge amount of time and effort in the military is spent on training and indoctrinating its members to be strong and to handle things but that type of attitude works against them in something like this and with them seeking and getting help I think. Help is available for those that need it but oftentimes it takes a little nudging for people to go and seek it.
To me it definitely sounds like PTSD and something that he does need help with. As hard as it is to admit they do need help as they are only human. Go to http://www.militaryonesource.com and they will have some information. you can also call and request counseling, it is strictly confidential and up to 12 sessions at no charge. He needs to talk about it, let it go. It is something that will take awhile, something he won't necessarily want to talk to you about but needs someone. You should also seek information for yourself on this.
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Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an issue for many service members. It can be hard on the family too. PTSD may interfere with relationships and change family life, but with knowledge and understanding, the spouse of a service member suffering from PTSD can help him or her recover.
Knowing how PTSD affects people may help a spouse in understanding what a member is going through.
PTSD is an anxiety disorder that can occur after one experiences a traumatic event. A traumatic event is a life-threatening occurrence such as military combat, natural disasters, terrorist incident, serious accident or violent personal assault.
For most people, PTSD starts within three months of the traumatic event. For others, signs don鈥檛 show up until years later. Acute PTSD lasts less than three months and chronic PTSD lasts more than three months. With delayed PTSD, symptoms first occur six or more months following the trauma. Some people get better within six months, while others may have the illness for much longer.
Many people who go through a traumatic event don't get PTSD and it isn't clear why some people develop PTSD and others don't. How likely someone is to get PTSD depends on many things, such as the intensity of the trauma; if they lost a loved one or were injured; how close they were to the event; or how much they felt in control of events.
People who suffer from PTSD often have nightmares and flashbacks reliving the experience. Other symptoms include:
Feeling afraid
Feeling a loss of control
Difficulty sleeping
Feeling detached or withdrawn
Substance abuse
Memory problems
PTSD symptoms can be complicated and occur with related disorders such as depression.
The symptoms can become severe enough to significantly impair daily life. The person may lose the ability to function normally in society or family environments. But, there are many ways a spouse can help a member deal with PTSD.
Offer to go to doctor visits and volunteer to help keep track of medicine and therapy. Be there for support.
Encourage him or her to talk about the trauma and be understanding if he or she doesn't feel like talking.
Give them space, but tell him or her that help is there when they need it. This is also critical in maintaining one鈥檚 own psychological health.
Plan activities together: take a walk, go for a bike ride, or do some other physical activity together. Exercise is important for health and helps clear the mind.
Encourage contact with family and close friends. A support system will help the family get through stressful times.
With proper treatment, PTSD effects can be minimized or eliminated. Today, there are several treatments available for PTSD. Medications may be effective; they are typically the same medications that are prescribed for depression. Get more information about PTSD treatment from a Military Treatment Facility (MTF) or by contacting a local VA hospital or Vet Center. Active duty military should seek help for PTSD from a MTF.
TRICARE beneficiaries needing help making behavioral health appointments the toll-free numbers are: West Region, 1-866-651- 4970; North Region, 1-877-747-9579; and in the South Region the number is 1-877-298-3514. Hours vary according to region.The Military One Source Web site at www.militaryonesource.com is also useful for resources and information on PTSD and behavioral health.
All active duty service members must have a referral from their primary care manager for behavioral health care before calling the appointment assistance line.
TRICARE Prime active duty family members can receive the first eight outpatient behavioral health care visits per fiscal year (Oct. 1-Sept. 30) without a referral, but they must receive the care from TRICARE network providers to avoid point-of-service cost sharing charges.
Being an Army Sister, I'm used to hearing about these things. It could be PTSD.... Some soldiers don't talk about it,so feel lucky that he talks to you about it. And your most certainly right,war changes them. My brother hasn't and still won't talk about his first tour,but he's alot different.... and is about to go on his 2nd tour in less than a month! I wish you the best of luck!!
God Bless
Well, its definitely good that he's talking to you about it! I can't even begin to imagine what soldiers go through over there. It could very well be PTSD. If this is the case, do you think he'd be willing to talk to a counselor? A military-counselor who deals with PTSD? My brother-in-law went through a lot of the same, and talking to a counselor and being in ';support-groups'; with other soldiers that went through some of the same really helped him. He said he could talk to his wife, but he could really relate to the other soldiers. All I can say, is pray about it. God will lead the way! Good luck to you and your family, and thank you for your service!
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