Re: PTSD ??
Duc,
I'll send you a PM as well. Not really wanting to air out my med file here.
Either way, I know of some resources.
a few questions which you can answer here if you want or in PM if you prefer:
1) Army National Guard Officer...is he on an "active" NG status or is he expected to be de-activated post-PTSD treatment and go back to the drill schedule?
2) The TDY treatment centers are generally reserved for the super bad cases (think rocking in the corner or absolutely lost it)...is he that bad? My only thought is that he isn't *that* bad but they don't have .gov facilities close enough
3) If he is on Active status and there isn't a sufficient medical facility nearby, he can request that the local Army doc/psych recommend he be seen by an off-post provider. I actually did this at Fort Carson because I didn't trust the Army Behavioral Health System- specifically Fort Carson due to their shady ways. I was able to be seen by a Tri-Care approved provider at the gov's cost. I thoroughly believe that being seen by a civilian provider is what kept me from suck starting my pistol.
4) His wife and kids will need to understand that they have a choice: Stick by him through thick, thin, and whatever else he comes up with, via Military One Source there is immediate counseling available for both the couple as well as their kids.
5) What sort of unit is he in? Is it a unit that is prepared to deal with his medical situation or are they going to hang him out to dry? It sounds like they are trying to do the right thing, but it almost sounds too drastic. Then again- I'm not a health care provider and I haven't met the guy.
Whatever He has gone through, I can only offer this: It never gets better, it's always there and you just learn how to deal with it. I've finally gotten to a point where the specific incidents that led to my diagnosis no longer affect me like they used to. Now I am experiencing more of the ancillary symptoms. The first 3 years of the crap I went through to get the Army to listen led me on a bad downward spiral internally. The earlier he gets help, the better off he will be.
I don't really know all the ways the NG handles things, but it sounds like they are trying to do the right thing, even if it's not right for him in the short time.
I'd recommend a few things without any of my questions being answered:
1) He and his wife need to read everything they can about PTSD. They then need to explain that in a broken down manner for the kids appropriate to their ages.
2) He needs to realize that his PTSD is not an excuse to fly off the handle about every little thing. My ex-wife didn't understand that pushing my buttons on purpose was a bad idea. My current girlfriend has more of the right idea about politely and tactfully calling me on my bullshit. Between Therapy and understanding of loved ones and friends, it is a very manageable condition.
3) He needs to get to a provider with NO vested interest in anything but HIM getting better. The Army wants him in boots, and they will check the block if it means keeping him in boots. The best thing I ever did was get out. I miss it, I loved it, but I can't be in the military environ anymore. Even going to the VA gives me the creeps, especially seeing all those old codgers with their baseball caps and dd214 spelled out in pins.
4) He needs to find comfort, empathy, and understanding in his comrades and fellow soldiers via a support group. As was mentioned before, the VA Vet centers are great for this as the majority of the counselors are former soldiers, many with combat experience. Nothing is worse in PTSD than the moments you feel the entire world is against you, your friends hate you,etc.
I have a book:
http://www.amazon.com/Down-Range-Bridget-C-Cantrell/dp/1933150068 This book has helped my parents a lot when dealing with my BS, even from across the country. I finally gave it to my gf to read and it has helped her as well.
If his unit doesn't readily have similar materials available, it will be be in the mail first thing monday once I get your address.
Regards,
Brad
