during the gulf war my dad severely injured by a bomb blast, he survived but many of his friends were killed and dying around him and these last few nights he's been having very violent dreams often ending up either hitting himself or the wall and he shouts out really bad things and goes really crazy. last night i decided to go see what he was doing and he jumped up grabbed me and started shouting you ******* killed them and hit me in the head but in still in a state of dreaming. its getting worse and he is getting really depressed about it one for dreaming about his friends and 2 for hitting me.
does anyone know why these last few days hes been acting like this as it happened many years ago and how to sort it
2007-12-31 13:32:56 · 18 answers · asked by Capodastaro 5 in Health ➔ Mental Health
my mum actually rang a psychiatrist but at the moment we cant afford it and all they said is sorry come back when you can prove it or have money......what a great government
2007-12-31 13:43:01 · update #1
he is actually doing it now, should i just leave him to it or do somthing like ring for ambulance or i dunno im just worried about it all
2007-12-31 13:52:33 · update #2
Right, sir, let me tell you, that thing about not being able to afford to see a psychiatrist is absolute b*ll*cks. I'm presuming you live in the UK, seeing as this question was asked on Yahoo! Answers UK & Ireland.
Phone your dad's GP (doctor) right now. You may actually be visited by a locum doctor but at least your father will be seen.
The situation is absolutely abysmal. No-one that's served their country should have to deal with this by themselves.
If you are seen by a locum doctor, telephone your dad's GP tomorrow and insist that something is done. Keep phoning and pestering him/her. A GP can make a referral to a psychiatrist, and it will be on the NHS. You will not have to pay.
Click on the link below. This will take you to a page with regards to SSAFA (Soldiers, Sailors, Airman's Families Association). There are some telephone number and addresses on there that are local to the address that you give in your profile. Speak with them, and ask what support they have available for people like your dad, and tell them that it's urgent. Explain to them exactly what's happening with your dad, and see if they can get someone out to see your dad ... like right now.
I agree with Georgie 100%. Don't be afraid to telephone for the police. Your father, obviously, is not in full control at the moment, and you must look after yourself and your mother.
2007-12-31 14:17:16 · answer #1 · answered by micksmixxx 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you and your mother feel threatened, or your dad is hurting himself, call an ambulance, be sure you tell the ambulance what is going on so they can come prepared, they may even suggest to call the police as back up.
Unfortunately he may have as someone suggested post traumatic disorder, and this can happen at any time after a traumatic event, sometimes major stress can trigger this. Your dad needs help, even if he says he is ok.
Don't hesitate to call the police/ambulance if he is self harming or threatening to you and your family. So please insure your safety of your mother and yourself, especially if you have younger siblings.
2007-12-31 14:02:25 · answer #2 · answered by Georgie 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
My sympathies to you, your dad and your family.
Your government sent him to fight a stupid oil war, but won't pick up the check when something goes wrong. Is there anyone in America who really thinks universal healthcare is such a bad idea?
2007-12-31 13:59:54 · answer #3 · answered by gillespiebkk 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your dad could be suffering from a condition called Post Traumatic Stress Disorder which happens when somebody experiences something so bad that they may not react to it immediately because of shock, but it is stored like a memory and comes back to that persons mind in every detail every so often. He may need to go to a doctor?
2007-12-31 13:49:31 · answer #4 · answered by niall gwing 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hey There,
He has Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. . . which happens to those who have been affected by the war, and he needs to get professional help otherwise it can be very bad. . . Please talk to him about this and show him these sites.
http://health.yahoo.com/mentalhealth-overview/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-topic-overview/healthwise--hw184190.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-traumatic_stress_disorder
2007-12-31 13:42:02 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
not a question for on here friend-your mother or family member should encourage/accompany him re: a dr-professional capacity.
my best wishes to him-also you and family.
2007-12-31 13:41:09 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow. Sorry you are going through this.
It sounds like your father has PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder. WHen you have PTSD you can have "dreams" that occur in the non-dream cycle of sleep. That may be why your father did not recognize you - he may well have been in a stage of sleep and not awake.
Regardless, he needs help. Since he is a veteran he should be eligible for VA care, and they are reputedly doing good work with PTSD these days. You can always start with your family doctor, too, but he will need referral to a specialist.
If the issue is how to get him to realize he needs help, you may relate the story you shared with us. If I were your father that would be a very sobering thing. If he is a "walk it off" kind of guy or the kind who thinks that therapy is for wimps, I would tell him that you are really, really scared that he is going to hurt himself or you and that, as his son, you really need him to be around and be fully present for you.
If that does not work I would ask your doctor or guidance counselor for help, or even call the local VA and ask about PTSD treament. Someone out there will know how to handle this. Unfortunately, your father is not the only veteran who is dealing with this.
2007-12-31 13:40:10 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like your dad has PTSD post traumatic strees disorder. Contact your local VA hospital. I'm thinking he should already be enrolled. You should be able to talk to some counselors there who can advise you. With the holiday tomorrow probably not anyone to talk to unless you have an emergency. I've worked with these patients. Please call the VA in your area. They will screen and treat him.
2007-12-31 13:39:47 · answer #8 · answered by SEC 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
yes he should see a counselor it is post traumatic stress disorder i have it and almost commited suicide tell him to get help before it is too late
2007-12-31 13:38:35 · answer #9 · answered by merlin2000666 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Could it be the anniversary of their death?
2007-12-31 13:36:25 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋