Iraq vet with PTSD?

Question

is there a movie I can watch with my wife to kind of help her understand what I am going thru. I ave terrible nightmares and very anxious at night nervous always checking my back just real panicky and dont get much sleep

Answer 1

first thank you for what you have done for our country.secondly,i have PTSD for another reason,my husband committed suicide and trust me that nobody understands even that.I have flashbacks,and nightmares of him.I look out the window at night and I swear I see him standing behind a tree.Nobody understands.Everybody just says get over it.I wish you the very best of luck.Dealing with PTSD is hell on Earth.

Answer 2

I went to Iraq twice with the 3rd ID. I am currently being "cared for" by the VA for PTSD. I didn't think I had it, but when I went to the "recommended" psychiatric eval, I had a nervous breakdown talking about some things that happened. Since coming back, I hate people, I don't like to leave the house, and I drink a lot. FML. ***EDIT: LOLz @ ReconDog. Right on. PTSD is only for the weak minded. Being shot at is easy. Everyone gets shot @ in Iraq. If you can sleep after watching half your platoon get f***ed up in an IED one HUMVEE in front of you, and have to apply tourniquets (that's right, more than one) to your best friend and then watch him die, then you are more f***ed up than I am. Shouldn't you be cleaning your guns and polishing your f'ing medals, boy scout? GTFO my internet.

Answer 3

Man, I feel for you because I can relate! I, too have PTSD and was in the Air Force in Iraq, Korea and Germany. I lost a lot of friends and have terrible nightmares. Get some help, please! I did and the Dr was great in explaining what it is and how it effects me to my wife. I take an antidepressant and am seeking a good counselor to help me. I suggest you do the same. Sometimes, it takes a neutral person to really help you through these things. Be proud of what you have done for your country and your family and don't be afraid to ask for help. Thank you for your service and I wish you all the best!

Answer 4

Perhaps "Blackhawk Down" but really, your wife will never understand.

I was in Desert Storm, and even though that conflict was short, my life was constantly in danger. I have had nightmares of having the military call me back to service even though I have been out for 15 years.

Your wife will never be as loyal or trustworthy of your military budz. Even her not returning your dvds to the store on time may piss you off as being disloyal but, don't get mad about that stuff.

Get to the V.A. Hospital and you can get FREE, and I mean A LOT of free shyt and medical care there man. You can even request to stay in the hospital to get mental treatment if you need to . You wind up paying very little of the actual cost of health care.
I say get to the hospital and get on some free meds man! It may seem like "oh I am a crazy man who needs help" but you will find it to be a friggin' oasis of military vets who are great to talk to.

You are really missing out dude, seriously, I can't tell you all the good things waiting for you there, just give it a try and keep at it.

Answer 5

There are a lot of graphic films that depict the violent reality of war. It's not "war" though that you need her to understand, it's the "trauma" of what you went through while you were there.

This book, which can be found at your local library, is the non-Hollywood version concerning the aftermath of war:
http://www.amazon.com/Offerings-Wall-Artifacts-Veterans-Collection/dp/1570361746

Counseling is the best way. She needs to hear it from you - what you're feeling and what it's like, and even then, she may not ever fully understand.

You should see someone to help you cope better with what you're going through. You may not wish to go through counseling or share with other vets at this time, but you might want to see a family physician to get some help with the insomnia and anxiety.

Answer 6

First off--thank you for your sacrifice. It takes a hell of a human being to volunteer to do what you did! I don't know if there is a movie, but there is counseling. The VA offers this for free to you and your family. They need to understand what you are dealing with in your mind but YOU also need to deal with it as well...you made a huge sacrifice for God and country--now you need to make a sacrifice for your family and get help--for you and for them. I wish there was a movie that could make it all simple, but it's not that simple, unfortunately... BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!!!!!!!!! :)