Brother has post traumatic stress....Marines won't help him!?

Question

My brother served in Iraq for over a year. When he came home, he had changed. He is afraid of fireworks, he beats on his girlfriend in his sleep, he blacks out and has hallucinations. He was discharged from the marines, "other than honorable" because they found ritalin in his system. He had been on ritalin since he was a child and his recruiter told him NOT to mention it to anyone else, so he didn't. 2 months after he got home, he went missing somewhere between Minnesota and North Carolina. They found him 2 days later, on the side of the railroad tracks hiding in the bushes with mud covered all over his face for camoflage. He has been trying to get help from the VA and they said they may be able to but it could take 5 months. My brother told me he doesn't have 5 months. I'm really worried about him, is there anyone else we can speak to who can help him? He wants to speak to someone who was in Iraq, he won't talk to any of us!

If you are going to give smart a** comments, don't waste your time. Unless you have been in this situation or are sympathetic to people who have, I don't need your opinion nor do I appreciate it.

Thank you for your comments (with the exception of the first two). I will look into support groups in our area. I am really afraid for him. I can't imagine what he's going through.

Answer 1

He should speak to anyone that saw combat in war... my dad is a vietnam war vet, and he went through the same thing. The thing is, it didn't actually come until some years after he came home. When it did set in, it completely changed him. Some of the things you mentioned sound so familiar, and I really do feel your pain. It was so hard for my brother and sister when he started to go through this (I was just a baby), and it really almost ruined his marriage with my mom. He would go out in the middle of the night and not come home cuz he was afraid of hurting us, and his behavior was so much more irratic. He'd have flashbacks at any given moment. He went through severe depression and tried to commit suicide. Post traumatic stress is one of the most painful conditions to have to deal with, and I grew up in it's shadows. Some people learn to cope with it, others don't. It's one of those conditions that are both difficult and complicated. Your brother has seen things he never thought he would see, and he's in a dilemma. He's stuck in his own world while still living in reality. You could try looking for a therapist for him, to help him deal with the memories. But there's no guarantee that he'll go through with it, or that he'll be completely cured. Try to find resources where he can talk to other vets... and make sure these vets know what he's been through. I have a feeling only then will he open up and realize he's not alone.
I really hope that things turn out for the better, becuase it's not easy to deal with. From the bottom of my heart I hope your brother comes through. I know how hard it can be. Always be there for him. I'm sorry I don't really have any sources, but go learn everything you can about the condition and see about getting any help you can get. Good luck!

Answer 2

It only scars the tragically unprepared students. It's where the all the poor education of the past catches up to them. It's the bar that will not be lowered or altered to let a student sneak by. They have to make the jump and clear the bar, or they have to start over. Don't blame the class. Blame all the classes and teachers who were willing to promote you to the next level without being prepared for it. I experienced some of these teachers, but I was fortunate enough to get a couple of English teachers who maintained a high standard, so that I was well prepared for this course. I passed all of my college English courses with easy A's on my first attempt, which I know that I wouldn't have been able to do without those good teachers in my past.

Answer 3

I agree that he needs help.

You should look up veteran support organizations as they would likely have an interest in guiding him back upon a positive path.

He is still entrapped within a war-time frame of mind... He might even be having difficulties in distinguishing the values he held prior to war and those drilled into his head by his military training.

For what it is worth, he has my sympathy as he is (in my view) a victim of those who push but never participate in wars, save in trying to justify them.

Another potential source of assistance, if all else fails and professional help is significantly out of your budget, is to seek out spiritual consultants - Sometimes having a sympathetic ear to empty all one's horrid experiences upon can make a significant difference and make life a lot more bearable.

Good luck...

Answer 4

First keep on the VA to assist your brother as he is in need of it and deserves the government should pay for it.

Check the local phone book for agencies who provide mental health counseling on a sliding scale fee.

If he is in need of psychiatric counseling and does not have insurance some agencies who do provide psychiatry will assist in the process of getting him insurance and/or medication if needed.

A support group may or may not help him as it may have him relive his experiences and that may compound his stress, but a support group may help family members to learn ways to cope with his behavior.

Wish you and your family the best.

Answer 5

Get in contact with either (or both) the Disabled American Veterans, www.dav.org, or Amvets, www.amvets.org. They are both composed of veterans who have seen combat and they are very familiar with the "red tape" involved in getting help from the Veterans Administration. They may even send a member of the post nearest you to talk with your brother.

Good luck, good health, peace and love!

Answer 6

Write to your congessman; tell him what you have told us.
Ask for help for your brother. Make a copy of the letter, send it again every 2 weeks until someoen responds. Meanwhile, keep the pressure on the VA hospital.

Answer 7

Tell him to man up! He chose this path! Besides it might just be his conscious not leaving him alone with all the mess he did during war!

Answer 8

take him to mr. bush , he will get him treated . BUSH SUX, sry fo this answer as this may not be of any help to u .