Is PTSD a label? Well, for me it was an answer, as I remember pre-PTSD me. I don't believe it was a negative label... more I took it as an answer to what the hell was wrong with me, as I just never used to be that way when uncontrolled PTSD was present within me. I can sit here and pretty much see me before, the signs during as a result of each deployment I went upon, then the breaking point, the meltdown points, the total collapse of my will to live, then the time when I had had enough of feeling that shit and went for broke.... learnt everything I could about trauma, PTSD, healing, medications, etc etc.... went for thorough experience based learning from other soldiers, counsellors, physicians, scientific studies, etc etc.... and I got the hell on top of the worst of what PTSD has to offer.

I also don't just outright tell people I have PTSD, though I also don't have an issue with telling them if I require them to know, or they require to know. It just doesn't bother me...

What bothers me more nowadays I guess, is that people have this perception of PTSD, those who have experience being around someone at the worst, then they meet me and say things like, "you don't have PTSD" or the like, because I look normal, act pretty normal, do normal things... though they don't really see the management side of myself... how I expose myself to society for a certain time, then when I hit my limits I go home to rest and chill out. I think I find that more offensive these days than someone jumping back if I say I have PTSD... ironic maybe!!!

Good topic Bec.