Think of PTSD in a Different Way

What comes next depends on how you see PTSD
Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
September 10, 2014

Combat PTSD is Change, Change Again

If you think you are stuck the way you are with PTSD, then why bother getting up? Why bother going for help? You wouldn't. Yet if you have even a tiny fraction of hope that tomorrow can be better than today is, then would it be worth trying? Sometimes PTSD is this;

Painful

Transition

from

Stressful

Deployments

"Transition: movement, passage, or change from one position, state, stage, subject, concept, etc., to another; change:"

From one state or condition to another. That is what "transition" is. You transitioned from being a kid to teenager, to adult, to soldier and now, you're transitioning into veteran. You are far from done changing and far from being stuck where you are as you are. Coming home with PTSD is making the PAINFUL TRANSITION FROM STRESSFUL DEPLOYMENTS to living a happier life and healing.

If you want to, you can change right now and start healing. Begin with forgetting about "fitting" back in with the people you spent pre-military life with. Did they go with you? Did they understand you wanting to join? Doubt it. They had no clue what pulled you into joining and they will have no clue what you went through, what it was like with the buddies you were with or what it is like for you now.

Hang out with other veterans. Doesn't matter if they were where you were or in the same country you were in. You'll fit fine with them. It doesn't matter if they are your age or not simply because they are part of the same 7% group you're in. Veteran!

Face another fact that you're going to have to work on the healing thing. You won't change if you don't work at it. You didn't get deployed without training and you can't change again without training to do it.

Discover the different types of PTSD. Combat is different from all others. Look it up online. There is a reason you have PTSD and you begin to heal once you understand the "why" in all of this. Learn why the different parts of you need to be treated and that your mind controls all of it. Your mind controls your body and it also controls your emotions. That part of your brain holds your spirit/soul and it needs to be treated as well as every other part of you.

Learn how to calm your nerves down and how to change your focus off what is bad onto what is good and healing.

You'll get there but it won't be quick and it won't be easy. The only thing you have to decide right now is, do you want to change again or not?