Soldier in tears?

Question

I work at the E.R. as a security officer inspecting patients for knifes before they go inside the E.R. I just came accross the strangest fellow today. The white man in question was a Texan with blue Jeans and an Austin long sleeve shirt on. He was a Veteran. His eyes were tearing and I can tell he was very hurt about something as he was walking in escorted. What really made this guy stand out was the fact that he had a firm embrace on a pillow without a pillowcase. There was nothing inside of it. He said "I just didn't want to leave it behind".He was not much older than me. I'd say he was probably about 30 years old. And he was actually kind of good looking. He didn't exactly look like the type that lived out on the streets but in this city you can never tell. He might of been living out of his car as I remember seeing keys.Can anyone tell me what was wrong with this guy? Is it purely spychological? Does the fact that he was embracing a pillow symbolize anything? Manic??

I'd like some expert advice here. Could the man have been Manic Depressive? Could he be suffering from Post Traumatic stress Syndrom and the pillow as a way of comfort for him? What could of been his mental disorder?

PTSD for "Post Traumatic Stress Disorder". That's the correct term. Formally known as "Shell Shock".

Well, I guess the reason I brought this up was because I thought it looked so unusuall to see a grown man like that still at his prime with muscles and all; embracing a pillow like that with both arms tightly and crying at the same time. Can anyone, any Doctor please explain to me what is wrong with this guy? Is he just plain crazy or what? I feel sorry for that guy. At his age he should be flying down the freeway with a rag top convertible with the wind blowing through his hair and his girlfriend by his side.

Answer 1

You're guessing and asking a question that nobody is going to be able to answer. It could have been PTSD as some have suggested, but it could also have been that the man was very ill physically or in a lot of pain from something, and holding the pillow for some sort of comfort. His remark may have meant absolutely nothing. It could have meant that when he's in pain, he's more comfortable with his own pillow. You may be reading something into a remark that meant nothing. In any case, working at the ER as you do, you'll see many cases about which you'll probably be curious, but never get answers.

Added in response to your additional comments:
No, even a doctor can't tell you what was "wrong with this guy" because no doctor here examined him. I had a doctor friend look at your question, and he said the same thing. What you observed could have been from a psycological issue, a reaction to severe pain, or something else. Bottom line is that nobody can tell you withougt having examined him.

Answer 2

I don't think its a mental disorder, It was most likely Post Traumatic Stress Disorder from when he was in the war, living through a War and seeing it with your eyes really ***** you up psychologically, and it isn't rare to see in War Veterans.

Yes, but it's not always due to shell shock.

Answer 3

I've gone throw very seemlier things,i had a nerve rs brake down a few years back and the dr's told me i had p,d,s the main thing that hold me together is holding on to a pillow.due to the loss of someone dear to my heart. it helps some but it dosn't make up for the miss of someone throw the good and the bad.

Answer 4

you are guessing see a doctor about this it may be a very serious disorder requiring medication