Do you have personal experience with PTSD (yourself or a loved one)?

PTSD can also arise in people who have never served in the military, both in adults and children Some known causes are sexual, physical, or emotional abuse; a natural disaster; a car accident; a long-term illness; etc. Do you have personal experience with PTSD (yourself or a loved one) that you can share with the group?

While I don't believe I have PTSD, I certainly have anxiety. From what I understand about PTSD, anxiety and paranoia is a big part of it.

My experience of losing a childhood friend in a car accident probably contributed to my anxiety, because I get a little worried every time I say goodbye to a loved one, because I know that life is so fragile that I might not see them again.

I suffer from PTSD due to on-going sexual abuse by a neighbor that occurred when I was 6 until I was 7. I see now I was being groomed for sexual intercourse, but thank God, it all ended before that. Nevertheless, for many years I had terrible nightmares when he was following me and I had no legs so I could not run from him. In the dream he never reached me, but I often woke up in a cold sweat in twisted sheets. I blocked out this abuse many years, but when it came out as a 24 year old adult on the verge of marriage, the nightmares returned. I was lucky enough to find a good therapist who has helped me through this I am now 68 years old and still, the experiences of that abuse at times float through my memory. I don't think I will ever be free.

Oh janetr, I am so sorry to hear that you had to go through that.
The only person I had knowledge of having PSTD was my ex-brother-in-law. He would duck and cover whenever he heard a loud noise that reminded him of being shot at while in Vietnam.

I have had a form of PTSD when I left a group home which in itself was horrible. I was in the group home as I could not go home and continue to live by myself until the broken leg mended. I literally had nightmares and my sleep screwed up by the bad care I received. It took me about 6 months to start to feel safe at home again. Fortunately, I'm over it now. I do have sincere sympathy for anyone who lives with PTSD. It comes in many shapes and flavors.

My father is an Army Veteran that served 20 years and fought in two wars. Till the day he was diagnosed with dementia (eight years ago), he would startle awake so fiercely that none of us ever wanted to wake him from a nap. Once awake though, he was his sweet wonderful self. Although not formally diagnosed with PTSD, the memories of his days in Vietnam never left him. He would never tell us anything about it when we asked. War is such a horrible thing.

Wow, I am in awe of all of you, you are all so brave for sharing.

JulieAB, it sure makes you wonder what memories he is keeping to himself, that are too awful to share. I've also heard that this is common among many older veterans that till their dying day they never spoke a word about what they witnessed in the wars they fought.

My husband was in Viet Nam and forever after had horrific nightmares.

Sadly, I currently have a grandson in treatment in Texas for PTSD. He volunteered for the Army and left 30 days after his high school graduation. Within 7 months he was in Baghdad carrying an AR-15 kicking in doors and looking for insurgents. PTSD is horrific. He left at 19, an innocent happy go lucky kid and came back a broken man. And upon discharge all the Army wanted to do was drug him and push him out! That was the thanks he got for receiving two Purple Hearts, fighting for his country and helping to preserve our freedom - a kick in the ass!

Read about it, heard about it, seen it....have not experienced it directly. The real emotional toll of war. Can try to understand it. Goes all the way back to all wars, different names, but only recognized and named PTSD fairly recently. Now studied with the hopes of finding appropriate and effective treatment modalities. Note: as above not only related to our military.