PTSD "Everything starts to be a trigger."

Some great things come out in this report. First, Vietnam veterans are getting help, even after all these years. Then they are trying to help the newer veterans. Families are stepping up too. Given the fact that older veterans and their families have been there, done that, with basically nothing to lean on, they want to make it easier for the newer families. That's why I do what I do. Back when I started dealing with all of this, there was nothing for me. I was working "without a net" under me or around me the way we have the cyber world at our fingertips ready willing and able to offer the support along with information we hunger for. Wives like me were feeling as if we were totally alone to figure this out all by ourselves. We did. We went through hell to get to the point where we knew enough and most of us remember those dark days. We want to make sure that if we can help avoid extra heartache for newer families, we're there.

For veterans with PTSD, "everything can be a trigger" but when families are aware of what is behind all of it, we can make sure the safety is on. We can either add to the turmoil or we can calm their souls if we are aware.

Vietnam Veteran gets help with PTSD after 40 years of suffering
by Jessica Harthorn
Posted: 02.16.2011 at 11:02 PM

CLIO -- After the Civil War the term "Soldier's Heart" was given to soldiers who suffered intense anxiety because of their experiences.

Today it’s called Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Medical experts say hormones released because of stress actually help burn in memories, making it easier for PTSD patients to recall the negative images.

NBC25 found out how its affecting our local soldiers and ways families can spot it.

The cost of PTSD is great. Veterans often lose their families, their jobs, and even their minds.

I talked with one vet who's been living with the disorder for more than 40 years.

Since 1967 Mike Dickinson has suffered intense nightmares.

“You wake up sweating and kicking and trying to get away, and I hit my wife accidently,” said Mike Dickinson, a Vietnam Veteran.

As a Vietnam veteran, Dickinson witnessed many horrific events and thought his anxiety was normal.

“It's one of those man up things you know, nah I’m all right…I found out I wasn’t,” said Dickinson.

Recently Dickinson was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, something clinical social workers say plague 8% of combat soldiers.

“Everything starts to be a trigger, it reminds you of something that was done, or related to something that was done, so you try to avoid that trigger, so you stay away from things and people,” said Robin Fenlon, a clinical social worker.
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Vietnam Veteran gets help with PTSD