Good day to you all -

Firstly, I would like to mention how happy I am that this forum is "heavily moderated" as I have just come from a forum which I will not name which is a free for all and very unpleasant.

That said -

Although I was born in Hawaii, I moved to the NW US when I was about 4 years old. Dad was an alcoholic and mom was a great co-dependent and enabler. Dad was very verbally abusive to everyone in the immediate family but usually was on good behavior around others. No physical abuse that I know of except dad and mom getting into wrestling matched a couple of times the last time resulting in mom hitting dad over the head with a lamp. I always felt odd about my family life and embarrassed.

Dad probably did have PTSD . . . anyway sure acted like it. He was on the USS Texas during WWII.

Anyway, graduated from HS 1966, not a very good year to graduate. I wanted an honorable war to fight and die in not that Viet Nam s**t. Went anyway, into the Navy and two tours landing marines and the army on amphibious assaults. Came out two years later really f**cked up but didn't know it. Had nightmares right away. Panic attacks a year later. Then insomnia which has go worse over the years. Started getting angry outburst, tearing stuff up, cutting myself (don't do it anymore), and other s**t I'm tired of repeating.

Did manage to keep my s**t together long enough to complete a lot of school, and work till I was 54 yrs old helping other people in psychiatry no less. Still trying to help people . . . don't know why. I guess that's just what I do . . . lol. I've always wondered what it is that I was meant to do in life . . . maybe i just discovered it. Help others . . . geez.

Been married six times twice to the same woman, the one I'm married to was also my third. She a good woman, no saint but who is. She puts up with me anyway.

I got a good son.

I got 70% disability from PTSD and 30% unemployability a few years ago. I got it so easy that I kind of freaked me out . . . like s**t, am I that wacked that the VA gives me 100% first time. Kind of like freaky . . . eh.

Anyway, got most of my sx under control. But I'm rather brittle. That is, doesn't take much to set me off so I'm careful.

Well, the clocks ticking so i better sign off.

I'll say more later.

Doug

Hi Doug, welcome to the forum and glad to have you hear. We certainly do need more males here, that is for sure.... helps balance the equation out a little and both sexes keep each other in line, on the straight and narrow so to speak. Look forward to chatting with you.

Hi Doug, welcome to the forum.

Hi Doug,

Welcome to the forum. Don't listen to Anthony about balancing the sexes and keeping each other in line. He just feels a little out numbered..... LOL!!!!!!!!

Again welcome....

Hi
I'm fairly new here to, but just wanted to say welcome!

Welcome Doug!

Welcome Doug, lovely to have you. My father was a navy veteran, and I have a son currently serving as well. Canadian Navy, mind you. I agree with Anthony that we do need more males here, and it also refreshing to see another veteran. I hope you enjoy your time here.