PTSD- what do you know about it?

[KristinBelle]

My husband served in the Gulf war and to this day he still suffers from horrific nightmares. He thrashes and turns and yells in his sleep, he has these nightmares in spurts, 2 -3 in a week and then none for awhile but then they'll be back again. I'm not sure what, if any, symptoms he has during the day because he really doesn't talk about it.

Has anyone delt with something like this? did they seek treatment? what was it? Did it help?

I'm just trying to educate myself on PTSD so I can better help my husband or direct him to where he can get some help. I think this has gone on far too long and he really needs to try and deal with it.

 

[mickeyboat]

Kristin -

I think I would probably look for assistance through the VA. If that is not the avenue you want or can pursue, start with his regular doctor, and ask for a referral.

My DH also suffers from night terrors. He thrashes and screams in his sleep, and doesn't stop until I wake him up. It takes a minute for him to calm down after he is awake, and he is often trembling, and his heart is racing.

But he has had these violent nightmares since he was a child, and I don't believe it is related to any traumatic event. Do you know if he had trouble with this before the war?

I hope your DH gets whatever help he needs.

Denae

 

[KristinBelle]

Kristin -

I think I would probably look for assistance through the VA. If that is not the avenue you want or can pursue, start with his regular doctor, and ask for a referral.

My DH also suffers from night terrors. He thrashes and screams in his sleep, and doesn't stop until I wake him up. It takes a minute for him to calm down after he is awake, and he is often trembling, and his heart is racing.

But he has had these violent nightmares since he was a child, and I don't believe it is related to any traumatic event. Do you know if he had trouble with this before the war?

I hope your DH gets whatever help he needs.

Denae

Thanks Denae, I will approach him about going to the VA. He never had any nightmares before the war and the nightmares are about incidents he experienced back then, they make him feel like he's back there reliving it. I don't know many details about what occurred other then he did lose two close friends in combat and he saw a lot of very neglected children which still haunts him to this day. I just wish there was something I could do to help him, I feel so powerless.

 

[oxfordcircus]

I just heard a story this morning on NPR about PTSD in combat vets. There is a new therapy that the VA docs claim is more effective than previous therapies. Let me find a link...

 

[oxfordcircus]

I just heard a story this morning on NPR about PTSD in combat vets. There is a new therapy that the VA docs claim is more effective than previous therapies. Let me find a link...

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=7638013

The focus of the story was on female vets, but they also made the point that the therapy should work on men as well. Exposure therapy was the name of it - and it's supposed to be effective for 41% of those who participate...not a silver bullet, but maybe there's hope.

 

[lovemygoofy]

Hi Kristin,
I'm sorry I'm late posting this, it's been a busy morning. Anyways, a couple weeks maybe a month ago I posted about my husband suffering from nightmares also. I'm pretty sure he also suffers from a form of PTSD and we are trying to work on it but the army isn't being too helpful right now.

Here is a website you can start from http://www.ncptsd.va.gov/ncmain/index.jsp

It will at least tell you the basics of what you need to know and how to get help if your loved one is suffering. If you need anymore information or just want to talk please fee free to PM me anytime. I hope your husband gets the help that he needs. I know it's hard seeing someone you love suffering.

 

[TEENEE]

Ladies, don't forget yourselves while you are helping your men through this. Secondary ptsd is very real too. You may also need help. ( I say ladies because up to this point women have responded to this thread, obviously men can suffer from secondary ptsd too). Kids can also have secondary ptsd.