News Station Facebook Page Saved Suicidal Veteran

Part two: Iraq war veteran suffering from PTSD 
KATC News
By Akeam Ashford
February 25, 2015

"It's like I was so far gone," Thomas said. "I lost all hope in life because I wasn't getting the treatment that I needed."

After coming home from Iraq, it didn't take long for the signs of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, to show up in Lance Thomas' life.

The U.S. Army National Guardsman began taking medication for other diagnoses in 2012, but was first diagnosed with PTSD in 2013.

Thomas said he was put on various prescription medications to deal with PTSD, but he said the disorder left him a shell of who he once was.

"It's like I was so far gone," Thomas said. "I lost all hope in life because I wasn't getting the treatment that I needed."

According to the the federal Veteran's Affairs Office, between 10 and 18 percent of veterans of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan are likely to have PTSD and suicidal thoughts after they return home from war.

Feeling as though he was fighting a losing battle alone, Thomas' thoughts turned to suicide. He made a desperate plea for help through KATC'S Facebook page.

Thomas said he sat on a Lafayette bridge, where he'd planned to jump for hours, but he was unable to bring himself to jump into the water because he was a good swimmer and didn't want to fight death.
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